She’s only been on Emmerdale for less than a year, but Ruby Fox-Miligan has already become one of the soap’s most iconic characters. Following husband Caleb into the village in the wake of his revenge plot against Kim Tate (whatever happened there, eh), Ruby quickly established herself as a figure to be reckoned with.
Recent weeks have seen her reckon with the arrival of her estranged daughter and father. While she was keen to make up with daughter Steph, seeing Anthony again has brought old traumas bubbling to the fore.
As a special episode tonight reveals exactly what evil Anthony committed all those years ago, we argue our case for Ruby being Emmerdale’s best character.
1. Beth Cordingly’s performance as Ruby in Emmerdale
Former The Bill and Heartbeat actor Beth Cordingly, 48, has been a powerhouse since joining the soap. Between the explosive outbursts and her quiet heartbreak at years of betrayal and rejection, the star has taken it all in her stride. Love or hate Ruby (and there’s plenty in both camp), there’s no arguing that Beth Cordingly isn’t giving it her all.
“Beth Cordingly (Ruby) is just an incredible actress & the best thing to happen to Emmerdale. She’s awesome!” wrote one viewer on X this week.
2. Her backstory
As they did with Caleb, the writers were slow to reveal Ruby’s history prior to arriving in the village. After reuniting with Caleb and after the exit of son Nicky, Ruby gradually began to open up about her family.
First there was mum Helen, who died before Ruby could see her one last time. Then, we learned about the existence of daughter Steph. But where was Steph? This became clear months later, as Steph arrived in town… with granddad Anthony in tow.
Ruby’s backstory keeps revealing layers to the character; each fresh revelation explaining her firebrand behaviour a little bit more.
“I have been desperate for AGES to find out more about Ruby and her backstory (and Caleb keeps RUINING it). I am becoming increasingly emotionally attached to this woman by the day,” wrote one fan.
“Enjoyable character. Rare for modern Emmerdale – I just want to know more of their past, there clearly is a lot there,” another agreed.
3. Drama always follows Ruby on Emmerdale
Where there is Ruby, drama will be sure to follow. This was quickly established as she introduced herself to the in-laws by crashing Belle and Tom’s wedding party, exposing Caleb’s affair with Tracy and causing quite the circus.
She followed this up with a scuffle in the Woolpack, where she gave Cain a knee to the crown jewels and, later, elbowed Chas in the breast… only weeks after she’d undergone surgery for breast cancer.
Ruby may have made nice with the Dingles since, but chaos is never far away where Ruby is concerned.
4. Her sharp tongue
Not only is Ruby a physically formidable figure (just ask Cain), she also possesses the sharpest tongue in the Dales. This was in full show earlier this week as dad Anthony confronted her over Caleb’s affair with Tracy.
When he pressed her over how she could stand for such a philanderer, she countered by telling him that cheating was a two way street. “You’re assuming it’s another man, then,” Ruby countered, when Anthony wondered who the other man is.
A smart comeback is never far away, even in the face of a man she’s obviously traumatised by.
5. Her relationship with Caleb
No, hear us out. They may be one of the soap’s most toxic couples, but there’s no denying that their relationship is also one of its most interesting. Between his cheating (and hers), and her revenge plans (and his), plus their general incapability of being honest… they kind of deserve each other.
“We’ve only watched Ruby/Caleb onscreen for just under a year, yet their relationship is more complex than many couples we’ve followed for a decade,” wrote one fan.
“She’s a fantastic actor but a repugnant character, her and Caleb are very well suited,” said another.
6. Her relationships with the other characters
Ruby made no shortage of enemies in the village upon her arrival, quickly upsetting each and every one of the Dingles. Months later, she was the recipient of one of Moira’s signature gifts from Glasgow, after Moira became convinced she’d been having an affair with Cain (yeah, about that…)
It’s to her credit, then, that she’s managed to win over all the haters; befriending Chas, bedding Cain and even making up with Moira. How that will all come crumbling down once the affair is exposed remains to be seen, but her interactions with the rest of the cast are nothing short of fabulous.
Read more: Who’s leaving Emmerdale? All the cast exits, arrivals and returns
Emmerdale usually airs weeknights on ITV at 7.30pm, with an early release on ITVX at 7am.
Classic Emmerdale usually airs every weekday on ITV3 at 6am and 6.30am, plus 1.40pm and 2.10pm.
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