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NEWS > Alumnae News > Extra Special Retired Teacher

Extra Special Retired Teacher

Madame Kean, former Head of French, who retired 18 months ago after 16 years at LEH, has swapped centre stage in the classroom for a role as ‘supporting artist’ in some of our best-loved TV dramas.

Veronica says: “My daughter Lucy suggested I should sign up with some agencies after I retired, and I have been lucky enough to have been booked for a few jobs since September 2022. It has been great fun to see behind the scenes of film studios including Elstree, Warner Brothers and Pinewood, and to see what happens on location!” 

Last month she appeared on the BBC ONE smash hit Call The Midwife.  “I was probably on screen for 20 seconds! I played the role of a 'crash team' mid-wife and got to hold the baby (not a real one).“

Her first job as an extra was a member of the audience in the film One Life starring Anthony Hopkins. The film tells the true story of British humanitarian Sir Nicholas Winton, who in the months leading up to World War II, rescued 669 predominantly Jewish children from the Nazis.

Veronica says: “I was very privileged to have been in the emotional scene where some of the children and grandchildren of the real 'kinder transport' trains were also in the audience. 

“I actually made it into the trailer to promote the film. It’s the scene where Anthony Hopkins walks into the That’s Life studio with Esther Rantzen. I am clapping three rows behind him on the far left of the screen! Before filming he actually turned round to face all the film extras and said hello to us. Such a lovely man!” 

Veronica has also been on the film set of the movie Blitz (Directed by Steve McQueen),The Regime (starring Kate Winslett) and The Crown (waving a flag in a crowd scene).

“I am looking forward to seeing whether any of my scenes make it on to the Big Screen or end up on the cutting room floor! Whatever the outcome, it has been a great experience and worth the early call times and waiting to be called onto the set!” 

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