What made Ruby Emmerdale character so loved by fans? Ruby wasn’t just any character; she had a warmth and kindness that stood out in the show. Her storylines touched on real-life struggles, making her feel relatable to so many viewers. Ruby’s caring nature and strength brought her close to the hearts of Emmerdale fans. Let’s take a closer look at what made Ruby in Emmerdale unforgettable.
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“Emmerdale” is a British TV show that started in 1972. It’s about the lives of people in a small village in the Yorkshire Dales. The show covers everyday events, family issues, and village happenings. As of 2024, “Emmerdale” has aired over 10,000 episodes.
In the UK, it is broadcast on ITV1 at 7:30 pm on weekdays. It’s one of the longest-running soap operas in the UK.
Ruby Haswell was a character from the British soap opera “Emmerdale” played by actress Alicya Eyo. She made her debut on October 20, 2011 and left the show when her character was killed off on August 5, 2015.
Ruby came to the village with her partner Ali Spencer and Sean and Amelia, Ali’s two children. When they came, it was the first time a same-sex couple was seen in the village considering that Ruby and Ali eventually got married in December 2014.
In her time in Emmerdale, Ruby’s professions included being a carer and a waitress. She was very much liked by the villagers which included Sandy Thomas who she had to take care of and also developed good friendship with Kerry Wyatt.
Obstacles were posed in Ruby’s relationship with Ali especially after Ali’s ex-husband Dan Spencer moved into the village. In spite of many hurdles, Ruby carried on as a good partner and stepmother.
In August 2015, as all the villagers were enjoying the wedding reception of Pete Barton and Debbie Dingle, a gas explosion caused a helicopter to crash on top of the village hall. Ruby suffered devastating injuries from this accident and eventually died despite best medical efforts to treat her.
Alicya Eyo played the role of Ruby Haswell on the British soap opera Emmerdale from 2011 to 2015, and she remains one of the much-loved characters on the show. These are some of the reasons her character was relatable to the viewers:
Ruby Ali Spencer’s relationship is one of Emmerdale’s earliest depictions of same-sex relationships which has stood the test of time and represented a change to the series. It was very much a relationship about love, and about the highs and lows that brought them together. Because of such struggles, many viewers were able to connect with Ruby on an emotional level.
As a caregiver, Ruby took care of Sandy Thomas, which again bore witness to her compassionate nature. Her zeal to assist was not limited to her occupation as a care worker as many people in the village often needed her help and she gladly assisted them. Such a maternal and caring attitude was appreciated by numerous fans.
A lot more challenges were beating Ruby, including family conflicts, and money issues. But hardships didn’t defeat her, she stood tall and was optimistic, inspiring many fans to never give up in their toughest of challenges.
Alicya Eyo made this character more believable and added depth to it. The character’s warmth and vulnerability were clear through Eyo’s voice and her performance in the show, being both convincing and emotional at the same time. Eyo’s approach in bringing life to the character ensured that Ruby became an important figure in Emmerdale.
Alicya Eyo, in interviews pertaining to her character Ruby Haswell in Emmerdale, mentioned that Ruby as a person is “quite nice because she’s really comfortable with her body and her sexuality”.
In other words, Eyo said that Ruby is confident and true to herself. A strong character, Eyo appreciated the fact that her storylines were not so much about her sexuality, but about her as a person thus enabling viewers to relate with her on various levels.
Looking back in Emmerdale, Alicia was thankful to have played Ruby and stated that she learned a lot of interesting and diverse stories within the context of the series through that character.
In January 2024, Emmerdale introduced a new character named Ruby Fox-Milligan, portrayed by actress Beth Cordingly. Caleb Milligan is the husband of Ruby and Nicky Milligan is their son.
Her entry into the village was dramatic because she has a lot of vices and stands out for her unpredictable character.
Caleb’s wife Ruby does not have the best of relationships with him, which results in them having intense love fights. She has started influencing the other characters’ in the show, Caleb Milligan’s family in particular.
Ruby Haswell’s character in Emmerdale remains unforgettable for fans. Her warm personality, genuine relationships, and resilience in tough times made her truly loved. Alicya Eyo’s heartfelt portrayal brought Ruby to life, making her a character viewers could deeply connect with. Ruby’s story in the village left a lasting mark on Emmerdale history.
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