Jenny Agutter, beloved for her enduring role as Sister Julienne on the BBC’s Call The Midwife, is mourning the loss of her husband, Johan Tham, who passed away at the age of 81 following a battle with cancer. Johan, a Swedish property magnate and hotelier famed for restoring the historic Cliveden House, died on November 17.
The couple met at the Bath Literary Arts Festival in 1989 and married the following year. Together, they raised a son, Jonathan, now a practicing GP in London. Jenny has fondly described their marriage as “lovely” and “very grounding,” recalling that Johan initially had no idea who she was—a fact that, surprisingly, deepened their connection. “He wanted to find out,” she told the Daily Mail, “and that made a big difference. I’m still learning about him 31 years on.”
Johan also leaves behind two stepchildren and a daughter, Johanna, a special needs teacher, from his previous marriage to Anna Lallerstedt, according to reports.
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Jenny has shared intimate memories of family life, including the dramatic early arrival of Jonathan on Christmas Day in 1990. Uncertain if she was in labor, she called her obstetrician who urged her to come in. After a long day, her son was born prematurely—a Christmas miracle she recalls vividly in an interview with Yours Magazine.
Jenny Agutter’s acting career has spanned more than six decades, marked by memorable roles in films such as The Railway Children, where she appeared in several adaptations over the years, and An American Werewolf in London. Born in Taunton in 1952, she spent her childhood moving across the globe, the daughter of a British Army officer. Her early passion for performance blossomed at Elmhurst Ballet School and transitioned into a screen career beginning at age 12.
On Call The Midwife, Jenny’s character, Sister Julienne, embodies warmth, wisdom, and strength, becoming a beloved figure since the series debuted in 2012. As she faces this personal loss, fans across the world share in their condolences, honoring a life marked by love, resilience, and remarkable talent.