Ruby’s lies begin to unravel…
As her alter ego’s pregnancy lie spins out of control, discusses Ruby’s journey from sweet teen to superbitch – and tells us what her real-life fella thinks of her Walford character…
I just really hope that Ruby finds some happiness
EASTENDERS | BBC1 FRIDAY
If former Albert Square gangster Johnny Allen could see his once so sweet and innocent daughter Ruby now, we suspect that he would be very proud of the tough cookie she’s grown up to be.
But what does actress Louisa Lytton think of her character’s journey to the dark side, on the back of Ruby’s web of baby lies (see p10)? Inside Soap caught up with the star to chat about her life in and away from Walford…
Hi, Louisa! So, what do you make of the all-new Ruby?
It has been fun to play, as you start to see that there’s so much more to Ruby than just the nice girl who was a gangster’s daughter. Underneath this perfect world that she lives in, there’s a lot more going on with her.
When do you think it all started going wrong for her and Martin? Honestly, I think what ruined it was Covid! Before we went into lockdown, the relationship between Martin and Ruby was very fun, flirty and sexual – and obviously we can’t play any of that side of it now, so you’re just seeing a married couple, without the build-up of how they got there. I think if we’d have seen more of that, they could have been really strong contenders for a great Walford couple.
Was it a shock for you when Ruby initially faked her pregnancy? Yeah, I thought Ruby was just going to be pregnant and that was going to be it. I was shocked, and couldn’t believe that she was going to go that far.
My reaction was genuinely, “Noooooooo”! I think Ruby’s madly in love with Martin, otherwise none of her behavior would make sense!
You’ve never been afraid to call Ruby out on her behaviour. But can you sympathise with her, too?
Yeah, on the one hand I think she’s nuts! But it’s such a desperate place to be in that you can’t not sympathise with her, as you know
she’s not level-headed in any sense, and is behaving very irrationally. It all comes from hurt and pain that Ruby’s experienced in the past, and I think that’s interesting to see, as people in real life do make these sorts of decisions and do terrible things. And sometimes, it comes from an honest place.
On reflection, do you think Martin would be better off with Stacey? Yeah, I do actually! I think that Ruby brings out a different side to Martin, and that he does have love for her. However, I don’t think anyone will ever compare to Stacey for him.
If you were Ruby’s friend, what advice would you give her?
You need to chill out and leave your best friend’s man alone, is what I’d say! And I’d tell her to take a step back, and really think about what she’s done.
What are your hopes for Ruby as she tries to navigate her way through this situation?
I just really hope that she finds some happiness, even if it’s for a short period of time. Maybe some guilt comes out after all the lies she’s told, and she might hopefully say sorry!
What do you think about the idea that Ruby might have some longlost family out there somewhere? That’s what I’m pushing for at the moment! I’ve always said that I’d like her to have a long-lost sibling come into the show. Her dad was a gangster, and he probably had so many affairs that it would be amazing if she had some brothers and sisters turn up.
Lacey Turner (who plays Stacey) recently gave birth. Are you missing having her around on set?
Yeah, it’s crazy for me because when I came back to the show, Lacey went on maternity leave [with her first child Dusty], then she came back, and now she’s gone on maternity leave again! It’s a shame that we keep missing each other, as Lacey is a massive part of my EastEnders experience, but obviously I’m absolutely over the moon for her that she has two beautiful babies!
In real life you’re engaged, and have just bought a house with fiancé Ben. What do you think is the secret to a happy relationship?
I think that respect and communication is a huge part of it. However, sometimes I reckon that you just either gel with someone, or you don’t.
Does Ben watch Ruby, and what does he make of her behaviour at the moment?
He doesn’t watch the show. Every now and then I’ll make him sit and watch if it’s an important episode for me – and he can’t bear it! He’s like, “Oh, I hope you’re never like this at home”! It’s funny really, because for him I just go off to work and come home. He doesn’t even really think about the fact I’m in EastEnders.
It amused us to hear recently that you want the neon sign from Ruby’s nightclub to put in your downstairs toilet. Are you any closer to making it happen?
No, not yet! I keep asking everyone who works in the props department, but they keeping saying, “No, you can’t have it”! One day, I’ll get my screwdriver!