Two decades after making waves as troubled Sara Warrington in Family Affairs, Beth Cordingly is back on familiar ground with Ruby Fox-Miligan in Emmerdale.
The 48-year-old joined the soap in January 2024 and has become a fan favourite, bagging Best Soap Newcomer at the TV Choice Awards last month.
“It felt like Sara but 20 years on,” she says of her character Ruby. “It’s a gift of a part.”
Her other half, actor Ian Kelsey, who made his own mark in Emmerdale as Dave Glover in 1994, encouraged her to dive in, believing it could be life-changing. A year into her role, Beth agrees, praising the show’s efficient production and supportive crew. “The crew is incredible,” she says. “They’re like swans gliding on water – everything appears calm, but underneath, there’s a flurry of hard work. And yet, there’s never any panic.”
Beth’s collaboration with Ian has been a game-changer, especially when refining Ruby’s key scenes with the Dingles.
image [https://cdn.magzter.com/1583506613/1741065663/articles/EDceoUKJx1741072671164/7970471769.jpg]
“He worked with me on the script,” she says. “Because we both really enjoy working on things together. To be in a relationship with someone who you can do this with, it’s really special. I’m very lucky.”
Ruby’s most recent storyline, which saw her abusive father Anthony being revealed as her daughter Steph’s biological dad, left the biggest mark on Beth. “It’s a subject that I feel really, really passionate about and always have,” she says. “I was really pleased to be taking on that story.”
That gratitude has resonated with viewers. Initially met with scepticism for her alter ego’s abrasive nature, Beth has noticed a transformation in fans’ reactions. “A lot of people contacted me and said, ‘I hated you when you first came in, but I’ve fallen in love with her because I understand why she’s like this,’” Beth says.
image [https://cdn.magzter.com/1583506613/1741065663/articles/EDceoUKJx1741072671164/6716147074.jpg]
Instagram, where she connects with 65k followers, has become a safe space for genuine conversations. “When Ruby’s backstory was revealed, about one in every 10 comments was from a survivor sharing their own story,” Beth says.
Despite Ruby’s frequent clashes with other characters, Beth has found warmth and friendship off-screen. She speaks fondly of co-stars such as Chas Dingle actress Lucy Pargeter and Jeff Hordley, who plays Cain Dingle. Though she wasn’t keen on Ruby romping with hardman Cain. “When I found out they were going to sleep together, I jumped to my feet,” she says.
But she guarantees their tryst was a one-off. “The love story is Cain and Moira, Caleb and Ruby. And this is a massive hand grenade thrown into the middle of it.”
image [https://cdn.magzter.com/1583506613/1741065663/articles/EDceoUKJx1741072671164/6477161064.jpg]
Her bond with Natalie J Robb, who plays Moira Dingle, extends far beyond the set. “I’ve just spent the week at Natalie’s with my little girl,” she says.
Life in Emmerdale’s bustling world means Beth finds herself splitting her time between filming in Leeds and home in Brighton. The distance can be challenging, especially for her 11-year-old daughter. “It’s tough sometimes working so far away from home, I won’t lie. I know it’s hard for her,” she says, “But she’s amazing, she says to me, ‘It’s your dream and I get it. I just wish you were a teacher.’”
The separation, however, brings balance. “It’s like having two different worlds. Plus, I have been doing this for 25 years...
The 48-year-old joined the soap in January 2024 and has become a fan favourite, bagging Best Soap Newcomer at the TV Choice Awards last month.
“It felt like Sara but 20 years on,” she says of her character Ruby. “It’s a gift of a part.”
Her other half, actor Ian Kelsey, who made his own mark in Emmerdale as Dave Glover in 1994, encouraged her to dive in, believing it could be life-changing. A year into her role, Beth agrees, praising the show’s efficient production and supportive crew. “The crew is incredible,” she says. “They’re like swans gliding on water – everything appears calm, but underneath, there’s a flurry of hard work. And yet, there’s never any panic.”
Beth’s collaboration with Ian has been a game-changer, especially when refining Ruby’s key scenes with the Dingles.
image [https://cdn.magzter.com/1583506613/1741065663/articles/EDceoUKJx1741072671164/7970471769.jpg]
“He worked with me on the script,” she says. “Because we both really enjoy working on things together. To be in a relationship with someone who you can do this with, it’s really special. I’m very lucky.”
Ruby’s most recent storyline, which saw her abusive father Anthony being revealed as her daughter Steph’s biological dad, left the biggest mark on Beth. “It’s a subject that I feel really, really passionate about and always have,” she says. “I was really pleased to be taking on that story.”
That gratitude has resonated with viewers. Initially met with scepticism for her alter ego’s abrasive nature, Beth has noticed a transformation in fans’ reactions. “A lot of people contacted me and said, ‘I hated you when you first came in, but I’ve fallen in love with her because I understand why she’s like this,’” Beth says.
image [https://cdn.magzter.com/1583506613/1741065663/articles/EDceoUKJx1741072671164/6716147074.jpg]
Instagram, where she connects with 65k followers, has become a safe space for genuine conversations. “When Ruby’s backstory was revealed, about one in every 10 comments was from a survivor sharing their own story,” Beth says.
Despite Ruby’s frequent clashes with other characters, Beth has found warmth and friendship off-screen. She speaks fondly of co-stars such as Chas Dingle actress Lucy Pargeter and Jeff Hordley, who plays Cain Dingle. Though she wasn’t keen on Ruby romping with hardman Cain. “When I found out they were going to sleep together, I jumped to my feet,” she says.
But she guarantees their tryst was a one-off. “The love story is Cain and Moira, Caleb and Ruby. And this is a massive hand grenade thrown into the middle of it.”
image [https://cdn.magzter.com/1583506613/1741065663/articles/EDceoUKJx1741072671164/6477161064.jpg]
Her bond with Natalie J Robb, who plays Moira Dingle, extends far beyond the set. “I’ve just spent the week at Natalie’s with my little girl,” she says.
Life in Emmerdale’s bustling world means Beth finds herself splitting her time between filming in Leeds and home in Brighton. The distance can be challenging, especially for her 11-year-old daughter. “It’s tough sometimes working so far away from home, I won’t lie. I know it’s hard for her,” she says, “But she’s amazing, she says to me, ‘It’s your dream and I get it. I just wish you were a teacher.’”
The separation, however, brings balance. “It’s like having two different worlds. Plus, I have been doing this for 25 years...
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New UK (Digital) - 1 Issue, March 10, 2025