Ruth Madeley Explained

Ruth Madeley
Birth Date:4 August 1987
Birth Place:Westhoughton, England
Alma Mater:Edge Hill University
Occupation:Actress
Known For:Years and Years
The Rook
Doctor Who

Ruth Madeley (born 4 August 1987) is a British actress known for her roles in Years and Years, The Rook and Doctor Who. She was born with spina bifida and has worked with the charity Whizz-Kidz for much of her life. She was nominated for a television BAFTA in 2016 for her work in Don't Take My Baby.

Early life

Madeley was born in Westhoughton, and was diagnosed with spina bifida six weeks before she was born.[1] [2] She has an older sister named Liz. Her father worked in customer services and her mother was a nurse.[3] When Madeley was 5 years old, the charity Whizz-Kidz provided funding for a custom wheelchair for her.[4] Madeley actively volunteered for Whizz-Kidz throughout her childhood and was part of the Kidz Board youth panel.[5] [6] As part of her work with Whizz-Kidz, at age 13, she visited Cherie Blair at 10 Downing Street to discuss fundraising and awareness.[7] At age 14, she received another wheelchair from the charity.

At age 13, while a student at Mount St. Joseph, Farnworth, she was awarded the Princess Diana Memorial Award for young people.[8] [9] [10] In 2004, at age 17, she was awarded the first Bolton Wanderers' Community Hero award.[11] [12]

Madeley attended Thornleigh Salesian College and later studied English and creative writing with a focus on scriptwriting at Edge Hill University, and graduated with a First Class Honours degree.[13] [14] [15]

Career

In 2012, Madeley wrote and starred in the Lime Pictures TV movie Scrims.[16] She has had several supporting roles in television, including Fresh Meat and The Level.[17]

She starred as Anna in the 2015 TV movie Don't Take My Baby, chronicling a disabled couple's fight to prevent their baby from being taken away, and was nominated for a Best Actress TV BAFTA for her performance.[18] The following year, she was listed as one of BAFTA's 18 Breakthrough Brits.[19] At the time of filming, Madeley was working in fundraising at WhizzKids. She returned to the job after her BAFTA win, thinking there would not be enough roles for disabled actresses for her to make a career in acting.[20]

In Russell T Davies' 2019 BBC/HBO miniseries, Years and Years, Madeley played Rosie Lyons. The role of Rosie was not originally written for a wheelchair user, but after her audition, Davies decided to work with Madeley to reshape the role around her spina bifida. Madeley took a six-month sabbatical from her job at WhizzKids to film the role. When she attempted to return to the job, she found she had landed another acting role. Madeley asked her boss if she could extend the sabbatical but her boss assured her that the sabbatical did not make sense as she was "an actress now".

Also in 2019, she played Ingrid Woodhouse in the television adaptation of Daniel O'Malley's The Rook.[21] [22]

In 2019, Madeley signed an open letter urging Hollywood executives to normalize disability by casting disabled actors to play disabled characters.[23] In 2020, she appeared in the Christmas special episode of Would I Lie to You?[24] and appeared in Mat Fraser's CripTales, a collection of disability monologues.[25] In 2021, she competed on Celebrity Best Home Cook[26] and played Throat in the television adaptation of Terry Pratchett's Discworld novel, The Watch.[27]

In 2021, she was cast in the BBC One comedy series, The Cleaner[28] and starred as Barbara Lisicki in the 2022 BBC Two drama, Then Barbara Met Alan.[29] [30] She also appeared in Tom Stern and Celyn Jones' film, The Almond and The Seahorse, inspired by Kaite O'Reilly's play of the same name.[31] [32]

Madeley's first theatre role was in The Greatest Wealth at The Old Vic in 2018. The Greatest Wealth consisted of seven monologues and was put together in celebration of the 70th anniversary of the NHS. Madeley's monologue, "Choice & Control" was written by Matilda Ibini.[33] In late 2019 and early 2020, she played Barbara 'Buck' Buckingham in Teenage Dick at the Donmar Warehouse directed by Michael Longhurst. The play, written by Mike Lew, was inspired by Shakespeare's Richard III. The character of Buck was based on the character of the Duke of Buckingham and was explicitly written to be played by a disabled actor.[34]

In September 2021, it was announced that she would star alongside Colin Baker and Bonnie Langford in the Big Finish Doctor Who audio dramas as a new companion of the Sixth Doctor, marine biologist Hebe Harrison.[35] The boxset, The Sixth Doctor Adventures: Water Worlds, was released in May 2022. She was cast as Shirley Anne Bingham in the television series' 2023 specials, which were written by Davies, who has returned as showrunner.[36]

Madeley and Ruben Reuter appeared in a documentary from Channel 4 on disability and abortion titled Disability and Abortion: The Hardest Choice. The documentary aired in August 2022.[37] [38]

Personal life

Madeley continues her work with Whizz-Kidz as a fundraiser and, in 2019, was recognized as a patron of the charity.[39]

She has been with her partner, Joe, since 2012.[40] The two have known each other since they were young.She is a supporter of Bolton Wanderers F.C.[41]

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRole
2012Scrims (TV movie)Jak[42]
2015Don't Take My Baby (TV movie)[43] Anna Watson
2018Horizon: "Spina Bifida and Me" (documentary)[44] Herself
2018Ashes (short)[45] Erica [46]
2019 (TV movie)[47] Leave supporter
2020The Uncertain Kingdom: Verisimilitude (short)[48] [49] Bella
2022The Almond and the SeahorseJenny

Television

YearTitleRoleEpisode
2009Half Moon InvestigationsFran"Sick Note" (Season 1, episode 8)[50]
2011Fresh MeatSal(Season 1, episode 5)
2016–2017The LevelJulie(Episodes 1–6)
2016OutnumberedJill"Christmas Special"[51] [52]
2017Five by Five[53] Janine(Season 1, episodes 3 and 4)
2017Cold Feet[54] Tracey McHarrie(Season 7)
2017Katy[55] Helen(Episodes 2 and 3)
2019PureAbby(Episode 6)[56]
2019Years and Years[57] Rosie Lyons(Episodes 1–6)
2019The RookIngrid Woodhouse(Episodes 1–8)
2019The AccidentLaura Tucker(Episodes 2–4)[58] [59] [60]
2020Save Me Too[61] DS Pip Bleasdell(Season 2, episode 6)
2020Would I Lie To You?Herself(Christmas Special)
2020Celebrity MastermindHerself(Episode 8)[62]
2020Sunday Brunch[63] Herself(Series 9, episode 15)
2020CriptalesSue"Thunderbox" and "Audition"
2021Celebrity Best Home Cook[64] Herself(Episodes 1–3)
2021The Last LegHerself"Christmas special", "The Last Leg of Tokyo 2020" and Episode 24.4
2021The Watch[65] Throat Dibbler"Better to Light a Candle", "Not on My Watch", "A Near Vimes Experience"
2021The CleanerHelena"The Neighbour" (Season 1, episode 3)[66]
2022Then Barbara Met AlanBarbara Lisicki
2022Disability and Abortion: The Hardest ChoiceHerself
2022BrassicClara MarieSeries 3, episode 3 (The Exotic Zoo) and series 5, episode 5 (Ratcatcher).
2023The Unique BoutiqueNarratorSeries 1
2023–presentDoctor WhoShirley Ann BinghamRecurring role (2023 specials, Series 15)[67] [68] [69]
2024Rob Beckett's Smart TV Herself(Series 1, Episode 6)
2025The War Between The Land and the SeaShirley Ann Bingham
TBA[70] NightsleeperTBATBA

Theatre

Awards

YearAwardCategoryWorkResultRefs
2016BAFTA TV AwardsBest actressDon't Take My Baby[75]
2022Stylist Remarkable Women AwardsChange Maker of the Year AwardN/A[76]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Years & Years star Ruth Madeley talks about spina bifida. 2019-05-14. Stylist. en. 2020-02-14.
  2. Web site: Bolton actress Ruth Madeley tells of her new role in hit TV drama Years and Years. Brandwood. Neil. May 20, 2019. The Bolton News. en. 2020-02-13.
  3. Web site: Green . Georgia . 2022-03-27 . Ruth Madeley: 'I never saw a body like mine on screen' . 2022-08-24 . YOU Magazine . en-US.
  4. Web site: Westhoughton dad's thanks after daughter's life-changing pink wheelchair gift. Wallwork. Melanie. February 26, 2014. The Bolton News. en. 2020-02-11.
  5. Web site: HEALTH MATTERS: Ruth, 12, is a campaigning Whizz Kid!. May 25, 1999. The Bolton News. en. 2020-02-13.
  6. Web site: Years and Years actress Ruth Madeley becomes Whizz-Kidz patron. July 16, 2019. Whizz-Kidz. en. 2020-02-13. Portl. House. Place. Bressenden. London. Sw1e 5bh.
  7. Web site: Ruth's top level board meeting. March 20, 2000. The Bolton News. en. 2020-02-13.
  8. Web site: Disabled schoolgirl's Princess Di honour. March 13, 2000. The Bolton News. en. 2020-02-11.
  9. Web site: Doctor's tonic for disabled children. April 13, 2000. The Bolton News. en. 2020-02-13.
  10. Web site: Mount St Joseph Alumni - Ruth Madeley. Mount St Joseph. 2020-02-14.
  11. Web site: Brave Ruth is just champion!. February 20, 2004. The Bolton News. en. 2020-02-11.
  12. Web site: Brave Ruth is just champion!. February 20, 2004. The Bolton News. en. 2020-02-13.
  13. Web site: Student Ruth proves herself better by degree. Chaudhari. Saiqa. July 27, 2008. The Bolton News. en. 2020-02-11.
  14. Web site: Little Ruth is a good role model. February 5, 2004. The Bolton News. en. 2020-02-13.
  15. Web site: Ruth Madeley Wants To Be The First Avenger In A Wheelchair. Nicolaou. Kelly. August 29, 2019. Dawson. Elena. www.refinery29.com. en-CA. 2020-02-13.
  16. Web site: 2016 BAFTA Breakthrough Brits, in partnership with Burberry . BAFTA . 25 December 2020.
  17. Web site: Ruth Madeley Actress. 2016-10-19. www.bafta.org. en. 2020-02-13.
  18. News: Masters. Tim. Bafta unveils its 'Breakthrough Brits'. 2016-10-26. BBC News. 2020-02-13. en-GB.
  19. Web site: Ruth Madeley makes BAFTA's Breakthrough Brits 2016 list. October 27, 2016. Whizz-Kidz. en. 2020-02-13. Portl. House. Place. Bressenden. London. Sw1e 5bh.
  20. Web site: Segalov . Michael . 2022-03-19 . 'These stories change how people think': actor Ruth Madeley on disability, activism and sex scenes . 2022-08-24 . The Guardian . en.
  21. Web site: A Supernatural Spy Story Goes Dark in 'The Rook'. Gilbert. Sophie. 2019-07-02. The Atlantic. en-US. 2020-02-13.
  22. Web site: 5 Reasons Why You Should Watch Starz's "The Rook" -. 2019-06-28. fangirlish.com. en-US. 2020-02-13.
  23. Web site: Harrison. Ellie. 2019-12-20. Bryan Cranston and Danny DeVito call out Hollywood for ignoring disabled actors. 2021-01-31. The Independent. en.
  24. Web site: Warner. Matt. 2020-11-24. Here's our pick of the Top Ten Christmas specials on the BBC this Christmas. 2020-12-06. The Leader. en.
  25. News: Donaldson. Brian. 2020-11-02. Crip Tales. 2021-06-30. The List. en-GB.
  26. Web site: Hopkins. Daniel. 2021-01-28. Bolton's Ruth Madeley cooking up a storm on Celebrity Best Home Cook. 2021-02-01. The Bolton News. en.
  27. Web site: Bowman. Jamie. 2020-12-14. Bolton actor Ruth Madeley continues to be one to watch in 2021. 2021-06-30. The Bolton News. en.
  28. Web site: Carr. Flora. 2021-03-02. The Cleaner release date: Guide to BBC One crime scene comedy starring Greg Davies. 2021-06-30. Radio Times. en.
  29. Web site: 2021-06-30. Ruth Madeley to star in disability rights factual drama for BBC2. 2021-06-30. Televisual.
  30. Web site: Bownass. Helen. 2021-06-30. BBC drama exclusive: Ruth Madeley on new TV show on disability. 2021-06-30. Stylist. en.
  31. Web site: Brew. Simon. 2021-04-07. Rebel Wilson's new film starts shooting in the UK. 2021-06-30. Film Stories. en.
  32. The Almond and the Seahorse (2022) . 30 December 2023.
  33. Web site: Ruth Madeley: 'It's exciting if a disabled character is horrible too'. Curtis. Nick. 2019-12-10. Evening Standard. en. 2020-02-13.
  34. Web site: REVIEW: Teenage Dick, Donmar Warehouse ✭✭✭✭. Davies. Paul T. 2019-12-15. British Theatre. en-GB. 2020-02-13.
  35. Web site: 2021-09-14. Ruth Madeley joins the cast of The Sixth Doctor Adventures. Big Finish.
  36. News: Iorizzo . Ellie . Doctor Who fans receive festive treat as teaser clip lands . 25 December 2022 . Evening Standard . 25 December 2022 . en.
  37. Web site: Cook . Sam . 2022-08-22 . Actress learns mum had 'blunt' advice about her pregnancy . 2022-08-24 . WalesOnline . en.
  38. Web site: Tracy . Andrew . 2022-08-09 . Extra: C4 slates "Disability & Abortion" doc; Mediaset sells "Back to School" to Germany . 2022-08-24 . RealScreen.
  39. Web site: BAFTA Nominee Ruth Madeley a 'role model' for disabled youth. May 9, 2016. Whizz-Kidz. en. 2020-02-13. Portl. House. Place. Bressenden. London. Sw1e 5bh.
  40. Web site: Ruth Madeley. Glaviano. Di Alesssia. November 26, 2019. Vogue Italia. en. 2020-02-13.
  41. Web site: Ruth Madeley & the Toughsheet Community Stadium – Bolton Wanderers . 2023-12-07 . music.amazon.co.uk.
  42. Web site: Ruth Madeley CV. 2020-02-14. www.curtisbrown.co.uk.
  43. Web site: Don't Take My Baby (2015) . https://web.archive.org/web/20180529181654/http://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/55a6e0ba109af . dead . 29 May 2018 . 2022-03-13 . BFI . en.
  44. Web site: BBC Two - Horizon, 2018, Spina Bifida & Me . 2022-03-14 . BBC . en-GB.
  45. Web site: Drama filmed in Cumbria set to release online . 2022-03-14 . Whitehaven News . 6 December 2018 . en.
  46. Web site: Prissy People. www.prissyproductions.com. 2020-02-13. Ruth Madeley will perform the part of Erica. A very talented actress who was nominated for a BAFTA for 'Don't Take My Baby' in 2016, with the film taking home the award..
  47. Web site: Brexit. 2022-03-14. www.curtisbrown.co.uk.
  48. Web site: British Council Film: Verisimilitude. film-directory.britishcouncil.org. 2020-02-13.
  49. Web site: The Uncertain Kingdom . https://web.archive.org/web/20200924180046/https://www2.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/5ea8aa990e229 . dead . 24 September 2020 . 2022-03-13 . BFI . en.
  50. Web site: CBBC - Half Moon Investigations, Sick Note. BBC. en-GB. 2020-02-13.
  51. Web site: What did you think of the Outnumbered Christmas special?. Radio Times. en. 2020-02-13.
  52. Web site: BBC One - Outnumbered, Christmas Special 2016. BBC. en-GB. 2020-02-13.
  53. Web site: five by five . 2022-03-14 . www.bbc.co.uk . en.
  54. Web site: 2019-06-17 . Years and Years: who stars in Russell T Davies' new BBC drama? . 2022-03-14 . inews.co.uk . en.
  55. Web site: Curtis Brown . 2022-03-14 . www.curtisbrown.co.uk.
  56. Web site: Pure - S1 - Episode 6. Radio Times. en. 2020-02-14.
  57. Web site: 'There are plenty of people with invisible disabilities on screen & no one cares!' Years & Years' Ruth Madeley on why we NEED more disabled characters on screen. Smith. Josh. June 18, 2019. Glamour UK. 2020-02-13.
  58. Web site: Who are the next generation of UK film awards contenders?. December 13, 2019. Screen. en. 2020-02-13.
  59. Web site: The Accident: Who is actress Ruth Madeley? Age, Instagram and previous roles!. Weston. Christopher. 2019-11-08. HITC. en. 2020-02-14.
  60. Web site: 'His Dark Materials' Writer Jack Thorne: TV is Failing Disabled Actors. Tilley. Joanna. October 22, 2019. Screen Daily. en. 2020-02-14.
  61. Web site: Save Me Too. 2022-03-14. www.curtisbrown.co.uk.
  62. Web site: BBC One - Celebrity Mastermind, 2019/2020, Episode 8 . 2022-03-14 . BBC . en-GB.
  63. Web site: What's on Channel 4? . 2022-03-14 . tv24.co.uk . en.
  64. Web site: 2021-01-26 . Ruth Madeley on Celebrity Best Home Cook . 2022-03-14 . Digital Spy . en-GB.
  65. Web site: November 19, 2019. BBC - BBC Studios' The Watch enlists Anna Chancellor and James Fleet - Media Centre. 2020-02-13. www.bbc.co.uk.
  66. Web site: 2021-08-31. Comedy role for Westhoughton actress Ruth Madeley in new BBC sitcom. 2021-10-15. The Bolton News. en.
  67. Web site: 2022-12-25. Doctor Who 60th anniversary trailer - Merry Christmas and a very Happy Who Year. 2022-12-25. BBC Press Office. en.
  68. Web site: 2023-02-20 . Ruth Madeley Plays "an Integral Part" in Upcoming Doctor Who . 2023-12-27 . The Doctor Who Companion . en-US.
  69. Web site: Graham-Lowery . Nathan . 2023-11-26 . Doctor Who's New UNIT Character Future Confirmed By David Tennant & Producer . 2023-12-27 . ScreenRant . en.
  70. Web site: 2023-04-24. Ella. Christian-Sims. Joe Cole and Alexandra Roach to lead new BBC thriller Nightsleeper. 2023-05-14. Royal Television Society. en.
  71. Web site: The Old Vic Announces Casting for THE GREATEST WEALTH. BWW News Desk. BroadwayWorld.com. en. 2020-02-13.
  72. Web site: Review: The Greatest Wealth, Old Vic. Ian. 2018-07-01. There Ought To Be Clowns. en-US. 2020-02-13.
  73. Web site: Casting for The Greatest Wealth announced. Clements. Carry-Anne. June 13, 2018. Official London Theatre. en-GB. 2020-02-13.
  74. News: Billington. Michael. Teenage Dick review – Daniel Monks is a dazzling high-school Richard III. 2019-12-13. The Guardian. 2020-02-13. en-GB. 0261-3077.
  75. Web site: BAFTA Television Awards 2016 – winners in full. Radio Times. en. 2020-02-14.
  76. Web site: Geall . Lauren . 2022-03-14 . Remarkable Women Awards: Ruth Madeley wins Change Maker of Year . 2022-08-24 . Stylist . en.

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