Call The Midwife star Jessica Raine has hit out at writers who create feeble parts for actresses.

The 32-year-old criticised the characterisation of women and unequal opportunities in the industry.

“It’s amazing the number of poorly written women out there,” Raine said in an interview with the Independent on Sunday’s The New Review magazine.

But she was optimistic that the situation is improving.

Call the Midwife star Jessica Raine, who has slammed 'feeble' women's roles
(Ian West/PA)

“There are a lot of cool women putting up the magnifying glass (to their faces): ‘I’m judged by this; what are you men judged on?’

“I’m not moaning – I’ve played some great women – but the situation needs to keep changing.”

The actress joked she was now “post-ingenue” – so is no longer typecast as a new, young actress, but is worried that decent parts for women is still a problem.

Raine will star alongside David Walliams in the BBC’s adaptation of Agatha Christie’s Tommy and Tuppence spy novels – Partners In Crime.

English actors David Walliams and Jessica Raine pose for photographers during the MIPTV International Television Programme Market
(Lionel Cironneau/AP)

She said of working with Walliams: “He has a flamboyant side, but from the first reading, he underplayed it, which allowed Tuppence’s role to be a bit bigger.”

Partners In Crime will air on BBC1 later this month.