Laura Main, known for her role in "Call the Midwife," will join the cast of the theatre production "By Royal Appointment," replacing Samantha Womack. Womack, 53, withdrew from the upcoming UK tour for "personal reasons" on Monday.
Main, 49, will star alongside Jane Asher, David Robb, and Matthew Cottle. The play centers on the relationship between The Queen and her dresser, exploring how they shaped the public image of Britain's longest-reigning monarch. A press release noted that Queen Elizabeth II "never said anything in public that could ruffle the lightest of feathers," but communicated her thoughts "through her wardrobe."
"By Royal Appointment," a co-production with Cambridge Arts Theatre, is scheduled to open at the Cambridge Arts Theatre on September 21 and run until October 3. The tour will subsequently visit Nottingham Theatre Royal, Chelmsford Theatre, York Theatre Royal, Chichester Festival Theatre, Edinburgh Kings Theatre, and Marlowe Theatre in Canterbury.
In April, Womack appeared to hint at a separation from her partner, Oliver Farnworth, 44. She posted a photo on Instagram with the caption "Alone again... naturally," which was met with a supportive comment from her former "EastEnders" co-star Roxy Simmons. Womack's son also commented, suggesting she might delete the post.
Womack and Farnworth began their relationship in 2019 after working together on the stage adaptation of "The Girl On The Train." This followed Womack's divorce from her husband of nineteen years, with whom she has two children, Lili-Rose, 21, and Benjamin, 25.
Previously, Womack relocated to Spain after her dog, Lola, died shortly after the actress was diagnosed with breast cancer. She had rescued Lola in 2019, and her death in September 2022 was described by Womack as one of the "worst days" of her life, occurring one month after her cancer diagnosis. She received all-clear five months later. Womack shared that Lola's death, on the same day as Queen Elizabeth II, was devastating.