Beth Cordingly, who plays the troubled Ruby Fox-Miligan in Emmerdale,
has opened up about the emotional toll of her intense storyline, admitting that she frequently sheds tears off-screen.
While Ruby is desperately trying to keep the truth about Anthony Fox’s death under wraps,
Beth finds herself needing an outlet after filming such heavy scenes—and crying has become her go-to method of release.
An Emotional Escape
Beth, known for her raw and gripping performances, shared that her emotional nature has become something of a family joke.
“I cry a lot in real life—it’s a running joke with my family,” she revealed. Her daughter, now so accustomed to seeing her well up, barely reacts to it anymore. “Most people just laugh at me when I cry because it happens so much,” Beth admitted with a chuckle.
The Emmerdale actress explained that acting in such emotionally charged scenes can be draining, and sometimes, the best way to let go of the weight of her character’s turmoil is simply to cry it out. Given the intensity of Ruby’s storyline, which involves covering up a murder and dealing with the complex emotions that come with it, it’s no surprise that Beth needs a way to process it all.
Balancing Career and Family Life
Juggling a demanding role in Emmerdale while being a devoted mother has not been easy for Beth. Living in Brighton with her 11-year-old daughter means she has to regularly commute to Leeds, where the soap is filmed. The distance, she admitted, is challenging.
“It’s tough sometimes working so far away from home, I won’t lie. I know it’s hard for my daughter,” Beth shared. Despite the difficulties, her daughter has been incredibly understanding, even joking that she wishes Beth had chosen a different career. “She tells me, ‘It’s your dream and I get it. I just wish you were a teacher.’”
Beth acknowledges that while balancing work and home life can be difficult, she has learned how to manage it over the years. Having worked in the entertainment industry for 25 years, she has developed a method to separate her work from her personal life. “It’s like having two different worlds,” she explained.
From Family Affairs to Emmerdale
Beth’s career has come full circle since her early soap days. Longtime fans might remember her from Family Affairs, where she played Sara Warrington. Now, two decades later, she’s making waves in Emmerdale as Ruby Fox-Miligan.
Reflecting on her return to soapland, Beth described her experience on Emmerdale as a gift. “It felt like Sara, but 20 years on,” she said. Since joining the show in January 2024, she has quickly become a fan favorite, even securing the Best Newcomer award at the TV Choice Awards in February.
Interestingly, Beth credits her partner, Ian Kelsey, for encouraging her to take the role. Soap fans will remember Ian from his Emmerdale days as Dave Glover in the 1990s. He believed that joining the show would be a game-changer for her, and Beth is now grateful for his nudge in the right direction.
Praise for the Emmerdale Team
Beth has nothing but admiration for the Emmerdale cast and crew. She describes the production as a well-oiled machine, where everything runs smoothly despite the high-pressure environment. “The crew is incredible,” she said. “It’s like swans gliding on water—everything appears calm, but underneath, there’s a flurry of hard work. And yet, there’s never any panic.”
She also appreciates the sense of teamwork on set. One of her favorite aspects of working on Emmerdale has been collaborating with Ian on her scenes. “He worked with me on the script,” she shared. “Because we both really enjoy working on things together. To be in a relationship with someone you can do this with—it’s really special. I’m very lucky.”
A Passion for Writing
Beyond acting, Beth has another creative passion—writing. With a Master’s degree in Creative Writing, she has explored storytelling beyond the screen. Her short story Marianne and Ellie was featured in an anthology in 2009, and she even won a contest for her Amsterdam-inspired piece The Bike Ride.
However, despite having two novels tucked away in her drafts folder, Beth has yet to publish a full-length book. She joked that a friend in publishing once teased her about owning an industrial shredder, suggesting her manuscripts might not make it to the shelves anytime soon.
Despite this, Beth remains passionate about writing and hopes to dedicate more time to it in the future. “I’m really bad at multi-tasking, but I really enjoy writing,” she admitted. “If I wasn’t acting, it’s probably the thing I’d most enjoy doing.”
Looking Ahead
As Beth continues to deliver powerful performances as Ruby in Emmerdale, fans can expect even more gripping drama ahead. While her character fights to keep her deadly secret buried, Beth is embracing every challenge the role brings. Whether she’s acting, crying as a form of release, or diving into her next writing project, one thing is clear—Beth Cordingly is a force to be reckoned with, both on and off the screen.
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