Ruth Madeley
Updated: 12/11/2025, 10:35:09 AM Wikipedia source
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.
Infobox
Born
(1987-08-04) 4 August 1987 (age 38)Westhoughton, England
Alma mater
Edge Hill University
Occupation
Actress
Years active
2009-present
Known for
Years and Years The Rook Doctor Who
Tables
· Filmography › Film
2018
Ashes
Role(s)
Erica
Notes
Short films
2020
The Uncertain Kingdom: Verisimilitude
Role(s)
Bella
2021
Canvas 5
Role(s)
Ruth Betteridge
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 2018 | Ashes | Erica | Short films |
| 2020 | The Uncertain Kingdom: Verisimilitude | Bella | |
| 2021 | Canvas 5 | Ruth Betteridge | |
| 2022 | The Almond and the Seahorse | Jenny | |
| TBA | Being Heumann | Judith Heumann | Filming |
· Filmography › Television
2012
Scrims
Role(s)
Jak
Notes
Television film
2015
Don't Take My Baby
Role(s)
Anna Watson
Notes
Television film
2016
2017
2019
2020
2020–2021
Role(s)
The Watch
Notes
Throat Dibbler
2021
Role(s)
Herself - Guest
Notes
Series 23, episode 13; Series 24, episodes 4 & 12 ("Christmas Special")
2022
Disability and Abortion: The Hardest Choice
Role(s)
Herself - Presenter
Notes
Documentary
2022–2023
Role(s)
Brassic
Notes
Clara Marie
2023
2023; 2025
Role(s)
Doctor Who
Notes
Shirley Ann Bingham
2024
Rob Beckett's Smart TV
Role(s)
Herself
Notes
Series 1, episode 6
Role(s)
Herself - Contestant
Notes
Series 9, episode 9: "Chris Bisson, Ardal O'Hanlon and Ruth Madeley"
2025
Blankety Blank
Role(s)
Herself
Notes
Series 4, episode 6
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 2009 | Half Moon Investigations | Fran | Series 1, episode 8: "Sick Note" |
| 2011 | Fresh Meat | Sal | Series 1, episode 5 |
| 2012 | Scrims | Jak | Television film |
| 2015 | Don't Take My Baby | Anna Watson | Television film |
| 2016 | Outnumbered | Jill | Series 5, episode 7: "Christmas Special 2016" |
| The Level | Julie | Series 1, episodes 1–6 | |
| 2017 | The Idris Takeover | Janine | Series 1, episodes 11 & 12: "Five by Five: Lucas" & "Five by Five: Janine" |
| Cold Feet | Tracey McHarrie | Series 7, episodes 1–4 & 7 | |
| Katy | Helen | Series 1, episodes 2 & 3: "Wheels" & "Wings" | |
| 2018 | Horizon: | Herself - Presenter | Documentary series, episode: "Spina Bifida and Me" |
| 2019 | Brexit: The Uncivil War | Leave Supporter | Television film |
| Pure | Abby | Series 1, episode 6 | |
| Years and Years | Rosie Lyons | Mini-series, episodes 1–6 | |
| The Rook | Ingrid Woodhouse | Series 1, episodes 1–8 | |
| The Accident | Laura Tucker | Series 1, episodes 2–4 | |
| 2020 | Save Me Too | DS Pip Bleasdell | Series 2, episode 6 |
| Would I Lie to You? | Herself - Panellist | Series 14, episode: "At Christmas" | |
| Celebrity Mastermind | Herself - Contender | Series 18, episode 8 | |
| Sunday Brunch | Herself - Guest | Series 9, episode 15 | |
| Criptales | Sue | Series 1, episodes 1 & 3: "Audition" & "Thunderbox" | |
| 2020–2021 | The Watch | Throat Dibbler | Series 1, episodes 1, 5 & 8 |
| 2021 | Celebrity Best Home Cook | Herself - Contestant | Series 1, episodes 1–3 |
| The Last Leg | Herself - Guest | Series 23, episode 13; Series 24, episodes 4 & 12 ("Christmas Special") | |
| The Cleaner | Helena | Series 1, episode 3: "The Neighbour" | |
| 2022 | Then Barbara Met Alan | Barbara Lisicki | Television film |
| Disability and Abortion: The Hardest Choice | Herself - Presenter | Documentary | |
| 2022–2023 | Brassic | Clara Marie | Series 4, episode 4: "Exotic Zoo"; Series 5, episode 5: "The Rat Catcher" |
| 2023 | The Long Shadow | WPC Judy Womack | Mini-series, episode 2 |
| The Unique Boutique | Herself - Narrator | Series 1, episodes 1–4 | |
| Sunday Brunch | Herself - Guest | Series 12, episode 43 | |
| 2023; 2025 | Doctor Who | Shirley Ann Bingham | Recurring role. 2023 specials, Series 15 |
| 2024 | Rob Beckett's Smart TV | Herself | Series 1, episode 6 |
| Renegade Nell | Mrs. Miller | Series 1, episode 7: "Stop Printing This Muck" | |
| Nightsleeper | Chrissy Doolan | Mini-series, episodes 1–6 | |
| Celebrity Catchphrase | Herself - Contestant | Series 9, episode 9: "Chris Bisson, Ardal O'Hanlon and Ruth Madeley" | |
| 2025 | The War Between the Land and the Sea | Shirley Ann Bingham | Main role |
| Blankety Blank | Herself | Series 4, episode 6 |
· Awards
| Year | Award | Category | Work | Result | Refs |
| 2016 | BAFTA TV Awards | Best actress | Don't Take My Baby | Nominated | |
| 2022 | Stylist's Remarkable Women Awards | Change Maker of the Year Award | N/A | Won |
References
- Stylisthttps://www.stylist.co.uk/people/years-and-years-star-ruth-madeley-spina-bifida-disabilities/263855
- The Bolton Newshttps://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/news/17649528.bolton-actress-ruth-madeley-has-lead-role-in-hit-tv-drama-years-and-years/
- YOU Magazinehttps://www.you.co.uk/ruth-madeley-interview-2022/
- The Bolton Newshttps://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/news/11036884.westhoughton-dads-thanks-after-daughters-life-changing-pink-wheelchair-gift/
- The Bolton Newshttps://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/news/6122754.health-matters-ruth-12-is-a-campaigning-whizz-kid/
- Whizz-Kidzhttp://www.whizz-kidz.org.uk/about-us/news/years-and-years-actress-ruth-madeley-becomes-a-whizz-kidz-patron
- The Bolton Newshttps://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/news/6089028.ruths-top-level-board-meeting/
- The Bolton Newshttps://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/news/6089767.disabled-schoolgirls-princess-di-honour/
- The Bolton Newshttps://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/news/6086525.doctors-tonic-for-disabled-children/
- Mount St Josephhttps://www.msj.bolton.sch.uk/news/?pid=12&nid=2&storyid=51
- The Bolton Newshttps://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/news/5855783.brave-ruth-is-just-champion/
- The Bolton Newshttps://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/news/5855783.brave-ruth-is-just-champion/
- The Bolton Newshttps://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/news/3550595.student-ruth-proves-herself-better-by-degree/
- The Bolton Newshttps://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/news/5855257.little-ruth-is-a-good-role-model/
- www.refinery29.comhttps://www.refinery29.com/en-ca/2019/08/241811/ruth-madeley-years-and-years-disability-diversity-acting
- BAFTAhttps://www.bafta.org/sites/default/files/uploads/btbbiographies2016.pdf
- www.bafta.orghttp://www.bafta.org/supporting-talent/breakthrough-brits/ruth-madeley-actress
- BBC Newshttps://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-37728802
- Whizz-Kidzhttp://www.whizz-kidz.org.uk/about-us/news/ruth-madeley-makes-baftas-breakthrough-brits-2016-list
- The Guardianhttps://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2022/mar/19/ruth-madeley-actor-on-disability-activism-sex-scenes-and-stories-to-change-how-people-think
- The Atlantichttps://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2019/07/the-rook-review-starz/593056/
- fangirlish.comhttps://fangirlish.com/2019/06/28/5-reasons-why-you-should-watch-starzs-the-rook/
- The Independenthttps://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/bryan-cranston-danny-devito-hollywood-open-letter-disability-a9254541.html
- The Leaderhttps://www.leaderlive.co.uk/news/18894800.pick-christmas-specials-bbc-christmas/
- The Listhttps://www.list.co.uk/article/120676-crip-tales/
- The Bolton Newshttps://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/news/19042155.boltons-ruth-madeley-starring-celebrity-best-home-cook/
- The Bolton Newshttps://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/news/18941897.actor-one-watch-2021/
- Radio Timeshttps://www.radiotimes.com/tv/comedy/the-cleaner-release-date/
- Televisualhttps://www.televisual.com/news/ruth-madeley-to-star-in-disability-rights-factual-drama-for-bbc2/
- Stylisthttps://www.stylist.co.uk/entertainment/tv/bbc-drama-ruth-madeley-barbara-lisicki-how-disabled-rights-won/537956
- Film Storieshttps://www.filmstories.co.uk/news/rebel-wilsons-new-film-starts-shooting-in-the-uk/
- The Almond and the Seahorse (2022)https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/nm3978118/
- Evening Standardhttps://www.standard.co.uk/go/london/theatre/ruth-madeley-interview-teenage-dick-donmar-a4309581.html
- British Theatrehttps://britishtheatre.com/review-teenage-dick-donmar-warehouse/
- Big Finishhttps://www.bigfinish.com/news/v/ruth-madeley-joins-the-cast-of-the-sixth-doctor-adventures
- Evening Standardhttps://www.standard.co.uk/showbiz/doctor-who-trailer-david-tennant-ruth-madeley-russell-t-davies-catherine-tate-ncuti-gatwa-b1049394.html
- WalesOnlinehttps://www.walesonline.co.uk/lifestyle/tv/channel-4s-disability--abortion-24824797
- RealScreenhttps://realscreen.com/2022/08/09/extra-c4-slates-disability-mediaset-sells-back-to-school-to-germany/
- Screen Ranthttps://screenrant.com/the-rapture-show-cast-story-thriller/
- Whizz-Kidzhttp://www.whizz-kidz.org.uk/about-us/news/bafta-ruth-madeley-role-model
- Vogue Italiahttps://www.vogue.it/fotografia/article/ruth-madeley-interview
- "07.09.24. Forever & Ever, Amen. 🤍 @theboy_888 [ID: Ruth & Joe happy on their wedding day!]"https://www.instagram.com/p/C_sbuNto1aF/
- music.amazon.co.ukhttps://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/2a318cd0-baf0-4bd8-b296-e6efe4de4a7b/episodes/4e6bbcba-65ca-416d-9aeb-c7c6bd1453b5/the-ground-jewels-ruth-madeley-the-toughsheet-community-stadium---bolton-wanderers
- Whitehaven Newshttps://www.whitehavennews.co.uk/news/17280461.drama-filmed-cumbria-set-release-online/
- www.prissyproductions.comhttp://www.prissyproductions.com/our-films-and-prissy-people/prissy-people/?LMCL=m2slUt
- film-directory.britishcouncil.orghttp://film-directory.britishcouncil.org/verisimilitude
- BFIhttps://web.archive.org/web/20200924180046/https://www2.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/5ea8aa990e229
- BBChttps://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00hvj5w
- www.curtisbrown.co.ukhttps://www.curtisbrown.co.uk/client/ruth-madeley/cv
- BFIhttps://web.archive.org/web/20180529181654/http://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/55a6e0ba109af
- Radio Timeshttps://www.radiotimes.com/news/2016-12-26/what-did-you-think-of-the-outnumbered-christmas-special/
- BBChttps://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0873pvs
- www.bbc.co.ukhttps://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/mediapacks/bbc.com/mediacentre/mediapacks/fivebyfive/
- inews.co.ukhttps://inews.co.uk/culture/television/years-and-years-cast-actors-emma-thompson-bbc-one-time-tonight-288242
- www.curtisbrown.co.ukhttps://www.curtisbrown.co.uk/client/ruth-madeley/work/katy
- BBChttps://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0bcmjht
- www.curtisbrown.co.ukhttps://www.curtisbrown.co.uk/client/ruth-madeley/work/brexit-1
- Radio Timeshttps://www.radiotimes.com/tv-programme/e/hqxy6f/pure--s1-e6-pure/
- Glamour UKhttps://www.glamourmagazine.co.uk/article/ruth-madeley-years-and-years-bbc-interview
- Screenhttps://www.screendaily.com/uk-in-focus/who-are-the-next-generation-of-uk-film-awards-contenders/5145560.article
- HITChttps://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2019/11/08/the-accident-ruth-madeley-actress-laura-age-spine-bifida-instagr/
- Screen Dailyhttps://www.screendaily.com/news/his-dark-materials-writer-jack-thorne-tv-is-failing-disabled-actors/5144048.article
- www.curtisbrown.co.ukhttps://www.curtisbrown.co.uk/client/ruth-madeley/work/save-me-too-2
- BBChttps://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000g71z
- tv24.co.ukhttps://tv24.co.uk/channel/channel-4/2020-05-31
- www.bbc.co.ukhttps://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/bbcstudios/2019/bbc-studios-the-watch-anna-chancellor-james-fleet
- Digital Spyhttps://www.digitalspy.com/tv/reality-tv/a35317013/ruth-madeley-celebrity-best-home-cook/
- The Bolton Newshttps://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/news/19546300.bbc-comedy-cleaner-stars-ruth-madeley-alongside-greg-davies/
- BBC Press Officehttps://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/2022/doctor-who-sneak-peek-60th-anniversary-year/
- The Doctor Who Companionhttps://thedoctorwhocompanion.com/2023/02/20/ruth-madeley-plays-an-integral-part-in-upcoming-doctor-who/
- ScreenRanthttps://screenrant.com/doctor-who-unit-scientific-advisor-56-future-confirm/
- New Year, New TV 🤩 2024 iPlayer Trailer | BBChttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tIApWpEUGLE
- Royal Television Societyhttps://rts.org.uk/article/joe-cole-and-alexandra-roach-lead-new-bbc-thriller-nightsleeper
- BroadwayWorld.comhttps://www.broadwayworld.com/westend/article/The-Old-Vic-Announces-Casting-for-THE-GREATEST-WEALTH-20180613
- There Ought To Be Clownshttps://www.oughttobeclowns.com/2018/07/review-the-greatest-wealth-old-vic.html/
- Official London Theatrehttps://officiallondontheatre.com/news/casting-greatest-wealth-announced-111410174/
- The Guardianhttps://www.theguardian.com/stage/2019/dec/13/teenage-dick-review-donmar-warehouse-london
- Radio Timeshttps://www.radiotimes.com/news/2016-05-08/bafta-television-awards-2016-winners-in-full/
- Stylisthttps://www.stylist.co.uk/entertainment/ruth-madeley-remarkable-women-awards-2022/634352