Only a few years after deciding to pursue acting full time, Ruby Barker was flung into the spotlight when cast as Marina Thompson in Netflix’s smash hit Bridgerton.
For those unfamiliar, Thompson is distant cousin to the Featheringtons and is sent to live with them to enter society but she has a secret that causes all sorts of drama and ends up as the subject of one of Lady Featherington’s gossip columns - sending ripples of gossip across The Ton.
“I went from having three followers to 200,000” explains Barker who still can’t fathom the success of the show. Watched by 82 million households, Shonda Rhimes’ modern take on a period drama turns the genre on its head with its inclusive casting and very modern sentiments.
Before taking our streaming services by storm, the British actress was most often spotted on the stage where she returns this year to the Lyric Theatre in Hammersmith. She takes on Imani in Running With Lions which follows the story of a British-Caribbean family as they tackle love and loss.
She has also featured on the big screen and took home the award for Best Actress at the British Urban Film Festival for her efforts. In the film, How to Stop a Recurring Dream, she embodies the starring role following the journey of two sisters dealing with the divorce of their parents. Barker can also add voiceover artist to her ever-growing CV, this time for Muller as one of the brand’s latest ambassadors.
Ahead of the release of the second season, we caught up with Barker to find out as much as we could about Bridgerton’s upcoming second series (as far as her NDA would allow) as well as her motivations behind joining forces with the yoghurt brand.
What are you up to at the moment?
I am making a play with Talawa Theatre Company. They are incredible, they’ve been around since 198 and are the leading black theatre group, pushing black narratives. They’re incredible and I’ve had the most fun. The play is called Running with Lions. It’s a family drama that touches upon mental health, greed, love, but ultimately hope. It is very cathartic, very funny, and I'm working with some of the most talented people ever. I’ve been learning so much about my craft, about family and connection and the rehearsal period, I’ve not done theatre in a while. I honestly just think it’s a bit of what everybody needs. It’s at the Lyric in Hammersmith, which is an amazing theatre, it’s beautiful.
How did you get involved with Muller?
I did the voiceover for the latest commercial campaign, which you can see from the pictures has this whole period drama theme, which was completely coincidental. I’ve done Bridgeton and this is a brand that I love, and we just fit.
How has your life changed since you’ve Bridgeton?
A lot busier. I’ve had a lot of fantastic opportunities. I’ve seen different parts of the world. I’ve got to go to Berlin and make a film with Freya Allan from The Witcher, which was just brilliant. I’ve been doing so many photoshoots. I’ve been writing things, I’ve been meeting cool people. It’s been a whirlwind.
What was it like working with Shonda Rhimes?
I’ve never actually met Shonda. She was a mysterious, elusive figure and the motherhead of this big Bridgerton ship.
What was the filming process like?
Because of Covid on all productions now, you’ve got to do tests pretty much every day. You have to wear visors. We wouldn’t wear a mask because we’ve got makeup on but we’d have plastic visors to protect us and shield us. The crew have to wear masks. So there’s lots of procedures in place to ensure that everybody is as safe as possible.
Did season two filming feel different than season one?
It just felt like the gang got back together. I was pleased to see everybody again.
When you’re on set, what are the essential that you always have with you?
Oranges. Easy peelers. I’m genuinely addicted. I really like them. You know, if you got a good one, they’re just absolutely splendid. You’ve got to get that perfect balance between sweet and sour. I always have easy peelers in my trailer. I swear by if you’re hungover or anything like that a pint of OJ will sort you right.
What are your skincare tips and beauty essentials?
Take off your makeup. It’s as simple as that. If you don’t take off your makeup, you’re not going to wake up with the best or freshest skin. I know it’s laborious. I know it’s tiring and rubbish. But, girl, trust me. Just take off your makeup. Let your skin breathe.
I try loads of different products. I like Liz Earle, Dermalogica and Fenty. I just pop down to Boots and see what they’ve got. I swear by a Simple products because they’re soap free and don’t have fragrances and all of that nonsense in them. I’ve got a few friends that are models, and obviously they have to really look after their skin so they’ve got me into CeraVe. I’m using the cleanser and I’m using the moisturiser.
What do you do for self-care?
I boulder. It’s so addictive. People just end up sitting on the mat, talking to strangers, and figuring out how to solve a problem together. You get a good sense of community, wherever you go, especially if you live out of a suitcase. There’s climbing gyms all over. You cannot stress about anything while you’re clinging on, trying not to fall off.
How would you describe your style and what are you wardrobe staples? How does it differ to Marina Thompson’s?
Fashion is always changing but I prefer the classics. Leather jacket, nice pair of jeans, comfortable shoes - maybe Ugg or Dr Martens. I’ll choose flats over heels any day of the week so I’m not trotting around in agony. I was wearing Theresa May-like kitten heels on Bridgerton and they were okay. But no, just go with the flats.
The onset ensembles were quite difficult to wear but you get used to it. I’m not gonna lie, at the first costume fitting I thought it was gonna pass out. And I was only wearing a half corset. It was very hot and I just felt the colour drain from my face. I was like, “Oh my God I need to sit down”.
Did you expect Bridgerton to be as popular as it was?
I’d seen the source material and read the first episode, so I did know it was going to be popular. There was no way people aren’t going to enjoy this. It’s a cool idea, it’s just good writing. So I knew it was gonna have a fan base. I didn’t know it was going to be seen by 87m households. No-one could have predicted that. I don’t even know what that means. You can actually pick Marina Thompson’s face as one of the icons. My friend Josh has my face as his Netflix account. A lot of my friends do.
Bridgerton has been confirmed for like four seasons, do you think you’ll be there for the long haul?
I’m under a really strict contractual situation. I can’t say anything but I’d like to be. It’s a fantastic show and it’s got that family feel. Bridgerton will always have a place in my heart wherever I am in my career. Whenever they need me, whenever they want me, I’ll be there.
How did you cope with the newfound popularity after the show?
It was just bizarre. It was really cool. I can’t really get my head around the numbers that are associated and the attention the shows has got and what I’ve got through Instagram. It’s strange, but it’s just been amazing. It’s nice to be able to look at a follower count and see that many people saw something in me and that character connected with them, and they’re on my side. They liked my work and what I did spoke to them. All I can do for now is take care of myself, take care of my health be a good role model and hopefully motivate and encourage people to do the same.
Maybe at the start, I’d get a little bit of anxiety, ‘Am I posting enough?’, ‘Am I doing this enough?’ and ‘What is it that my audience need? What is it that they want?’. I do it for myself, but it is a sort of a service. There are job elements to it. I’ve not had any trolling, unsolicited images, or anything. I’ve been very lucky.
What advice would you give to people starting out in acting?
I want them to know that there is no formulaic way to get into this industry. Let’s say you don’t get into National Youth Theatre, that’s fine, neither did I so I had to find another route. You’ve got to be able to adapt, know your worth and know your potential. Everybody’s probably going to think you are crazy - and you might be pbecause you want to be an actor. And that’s okay. Do what you love. Believe in yourself. Take care of yourself so that you have the stamina and the peace of mind to be able to walk into that rehearsal space and essentially just do what you love.
