Before stirring up drama in Emmerdale as Ruby Haswell, Beth Cordingly was widely recognised for her role as PC Kerry Young in the iconic police series The Bill. The show enjoyed an impressive tenure on ITV, launching in 1983 and continuing until its final curtain call in 2010. Beth Cordingly joined the cast in 2002, quickly winning over viewers and becoming a beloved character. However, her journey on the show came to a heartbreaking end when her character fell victim to the Sunhill Sniper. Such was Kerry’s impact that she was honoured with a special hour-long spin-off, ‘Kerry’s Story’, on ITV3. Despite her on-screen popularity, Beth encountered some tactless remarks from fans about her appearance. “Back when I was on The Bill, the first thing people would say to me was ‘you’re much thinner in real life,'” she recalls. But Beth is no stranger to the thick skin needed in showbiz: “But as an actor, you’ve got to have thick skin, you wouldn’t survive otherwise.” Having once been a self-professed people-pleaser, Beth has since shed the weight of societal expectations, particularly those imposed on women in the limelight. “As an actor, you can feel it very strongly,” she acknowledges. Now at 48, Beth fully owns her individuality. “I can be too loud or different,” she admits, “But I’ve realised I don’t have to care so much about what people think of me – and, as it turns out, they actually like me.” After The Bill, Beth continued to explore new horizons, returning to television in 2006 as Connie Green in Heartbeat. Her talents also graced Albert Square in EastEnders in 2017, where she played Shirley Carter’s prison buddy. Making a splash on the scene twenty years after her stint as Sara Warrington in Family Affairs, Beth Cordingly has returned to soapland with another meaty role as Ruby Fox-Miligan on Emmerdale, and she feels like she’s come full circle. The actress joined the Dales’ cast in January 2024 and has since become the show’s darling, even nabbing the Best Newcomer prize at the TV Choice Awards in February. “It felt like Sara but 20 years on,” Beth reflects about her character Ruby. “It’s a gift of a part,” she says.
Beth Cordingly made her Emmerdale debut as Ruby Fox-Miligan last year and has become a fan favourite since
Supported by her partner Ian Kelsey, who’s no stranger to the village having played Dave Glover back in ’94, she was nudged towards what could be a career-defining opportunity. A year down the line, it certainly seems so, with Beth applauding Emmerdale for its slick production and fabulous team. “The crew is incredible,” she beams. “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.” Her dynamic with beau Ian has been pivotal, especially when shaping Ruby’s crucial moments with the infamous Dingle family. “He worked with me on the script,” Beth reveals. “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.” The storyline that hit home the most for Beth involved Ruby confronting her past when her on-screen father turns out to be her daughter Steph’s true parent—an experience she describes with passion. “It’s a subject that I feel really really passionate about and always have,” Beth expresses earnestly. “I was really pleased to be taking on that story.” Beth’s candid reflections on her character’s journey have truly resonated with fans. Despite early doubts due to her alter ego’s tough exterior, Beth has felt the tide turn in their reception. “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,'” she shares. On Instagram, where she engages with over 64k followers, her platform has blossomed into a hub for heartfelt exchanges. “When Ruby’s backstory was revealed, about one in every ten comments was from a survivor sharing their own story with me,” she reveals. Away from the cameras, Beth is all about embracing her wanderlust spirit, a trait inspired by her mother. Her adventures span memorable escapades, including a three-month exploration through Africa at just 18 and later, a train odyssey across America at 20. Recalling joy-filled moments dancing in Havana’s dynamic street parties, weaving into local homes, she muses: “I enjoy off-the beaten track travel. You learn more when you’re around other people.” But Beth is more than her globetrotting experiences—like Ruby, she concedes to possessing “a terrible temper” but seeks solace and balance through spirituality and the practice of yoga. Delving into the realm of energy and its connective power, she reflects: “I’m very spiritual and I’m getting into energy,” she says, “You can be thinking about someone and they’ll ring you, I often have this with Ian or my mum! It’s all energy.”
