Though set in an alternate Regency era in London, and full of wonderfully whimsical costume design, decor and sets, hit Netflix series Bridgerton has roots firmly placed here in the West Country. Not only are many aspects of filming undertaken here (just next door in Bath in particular), several of the show’s cast hail right here from Bristol.
Adjoah Andoh is one we have already reported on, but did you know that Lady Danbury’s dear friend – Lady Violet Bridgerton – is too portrayed by a Bristolian? Ruth Gemmell, who plays the matriarch of the titular family, was born in Bristol in 1967 and, while she grew up in County Durham, she’s returned many a time to film several of her projects locally.
We’ve put together a little list below of some more facts you may not know about the Bridgerton star born in Bristol…
She was married to a famous actor who has starred in the Star Wars franchise and Marvel Cinematic Universe
Among Ruth Gemmell’s first lead roles was that in a television production of ‘Band of Gold’, where she played the role of Gina. It was here that she met her husband, Ray Stevenson. The pair married in Westminster in 1997 and divorced in 2005.
Ray Stevenson, who passed away on May 21, 2023, had a starring role on the BBC/HBO series ‘Rome’, in which he played Titus Pullo. He also portrayed two Marvel characters – Frank Castle/The Punisher in ‘Punisher: War Zone’ (2008) and ‘The Super Hero Squad Show’, and Volstagg in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Other notable film roles included Dagonet in 2004 film ‘King Arthur’, mobster Danny Greene in ‘Kill the Irishman’ (2011) and he even had roles in TV shows such as ‘Dexter’, ‘Black Sails’ and multiple roles in the Star Wars franchise. Ray also has links to Bristol – he graduated from the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School at age 29.
She trained at a famed drama school with a long list of talented alumni
Ruth Gemmell trained at the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art in London. Alumni for the school include big names such as Terence Stamp, Elizabeth Knowelden, Hugh Bonneville, Rupert Friend, Anthony Sher, Daniel Hunt, Matthew Goode, Sue Johnston, Minnie Driver, and Julian Fellowes.
She’s Tracy Beaker’s mum
Well, not in real life, but Ruth Gemmell portrayed the role of the mother of the 00s children’s TV character, Tracy Beaker. Ruth’s character, Carly Beaker, appeared in the 2004 television movie spin-off to the kids TV show, titled ‘Tracy Beaker: The Movie of Me’.
Ruth also portrayed the absentee mother of Whitney Dean in BBC soap Eastenders in 2009.
Despite having no children of her own in real life, she loves playing the Bridgerton mum
In an article for Vanity Fair, the actress said: “It’s a real privilege to play Violet because I’ve read all nine novels, and I know what kind of linchpin she is. I’ve only ever played really sh** mums or murderers, so it was quite nice to be someone of some merit for a change.
“I wish I was like Violet. I’m nothing like her, other than the love for those children.”
She loves watching Blankety Blank
In an interview with Good Housekeeping in May, 2024, in which she listed some of her most favourite things, Ruth said: “From the age of about 10, I loved watching ‘Blankety Blank’ with my family on a Saturday night. I grew up watching Terry Wogan, Les Dawson and Lily Savage as the presenters, so I was really pleased when the show was recently brought back with Bradley Walsh at the helm. It’s my guilty-pleasure watch.”
