Jenny Agutter, beloved for her role as Sister Julienne on the BBC’s Call The Midwife, is mourning the loss of her husband, Johan Tham, who passed away on November 17 at the age of 81 after a courageous battle with cancer. Johan, a Swedish property entrepreneur and hotelier celebrated for restoring the historic Cliveden House, leaves behind a legacy both in business and family.
Jenny and Johan’s paths crossed in 1989 at the Bath Literary Arts Festival, and they married the following year in August 1990. The couple was blessed with a son, Jonathan, now a practicing GP in London. Jenny has often described their marriage as “lovely” and “very grounding.” In an interview, she shared how Johan initially had no knowledge of her acting career, which allowed their relationship to grow authentically: “One of the things about meeting people and forming relationships as an actor is that others have an idea of who you are before they meet you. That’s hard in any relationship, particularly with men. When Johan and I met, I did not feel he had any sense of who I was at all, but he wanted to find out, and that made a big difference. I’m still finding out about him 31 years on.”
In addition to their son, Johan leaves behind two stepchildren and Johanna, his daughter from a previous marriage, who works as a special needs teacher. Jenny has also recounted the dramatic story of Jonathan’s premature birth on Christmas Day in 1990, a moment filled with uncertainty and relief.
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Jenny Agutter’s acting career spans more than sixty years, beginning at age 12. Born in Taunton in 1952, she traveled extensively as a child due to her father’s military career. Trained at Elmhurst Ballet School, she transitioned into acting early, appearing in East of Sudan in 1964. She gained widespread recognition for her role in The Railway Children, appearing in three screen adaptations over several decades, including the 1970 film and the 2022 sequel, The Railway Children Return.
Throughout her career, Jenny has demonstrated remarkable versatility, starring in acclaimed productions like An American Werewolf in London, Captain America: The Winter Soldier, and of course, Call The Midwife. Her portrayal of Sister Julienne, blending kindness and strength, has made her a cherished figure to audiences since 2012.
Jenny Agutter and Johan Tham’s enduring partnership was marked by love, devotion, and mutual respect, leaving a profound impact on their family and those who knew them. As the star continues to honor Johan’s memory, fans worldwide remember her not just for her talent, but also for the warmth and humanity she brings to every role.