Ruth Gemmell, In the Highly Anticipated Third Season of Netflix's Hit Series Bridgerton
Polo Top by Filippa K
Trousers by Jigsaw
T bar Necklace by Tilly Sveaas
Ruth Gemmell is a renowned actress celebrated for her versatile and captivating performances. With a career spanning several years and mediums, she has continuously impressed audiences with her remarkable range and ability to bring characters to life. Gemmell's work across film, television, and stage has earned her widespread acclaim, and proven her a force that can bring depth to any role. Audiences and fans eagerly anticipate her returning role as Lady Violet Bridgerton in the highly anticipated third season of Netflix's hit series Bridgerton, where her presence is sure to enchant and captivate viewers once again.
Blazer + Trousers, both by Filippa K
Platform Loafer Shoes by Russell & Bromley
You have had quite the career, continuing to grow your dynamic and extensive portfolio since your debut in the 90’s. What was your initial pull to performing?
One of my earliest memories is of going to the theater in Newcastle with my school - The Royal Shakespeare Company were doing Shakespeare’s ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’. At the end of the play, during Oberon’s speech there was a very long pause, and to this day, I’m not sure if the actor dried or paused for effect but you could hear a pin drop. There was complete and utter silence throughout the entire auditorium and I couldn’t breathe; I stopped breathing in fear of missing something. At the curtain call I remember the standing ovation and what that felt like. My hands hurt from clapping. It was magical and electric. The thought that you could affect people in such a way, to leave an audience thinking of nothing else for whatever reason – good, bad, ugly - it was electrifying. And I was hooked!
You've worked across various mediums, from film, to television, to stage, and even the radio. How do these different platforms compare, and do you have a favorite?
The feeling of being a ‘family’ - those friendships create camaraderie, which is something I value very much in my working environment. They’re all very different mediums but stage has a particular draw because it’s different every night -there’s very little hiding to be had. Radio, I find to be a place where there is no ego, which can be refreshing. I love the make-believe that the foley artists create when you record for radio. Being in front of the camera is really exciting too. The scale of a production from TV to film can obviously vary but the crew and the smoke and mirrors of it all is something amazing to be a part of. I feel very lucky to have been able to have worked in all of these fields but I think my favorite is always the medium I am currently in...and I always miss the one I’ve not done for a long while.
Blazer + Trousers by RAEY
Shoes by Jimmy Choo
Earrings by Astrid & Miyu
Whether it be film, television, or on the stage, do you have any dream roles you would love to play?
Shakespeare’s Katherine of Aragon in ‘Henry VIII’. I love the way she speaks to the king and to the cardinal when she is being pushed aside - you simply cannot fault her and neither can the king. I’d love to be that erudite and articulate - it’s nice to play characters who are.
Similarly, have there been roles or projects you’ve worked on that have been particularly meaningful in your career, and shaped you as an artist?
Often I find roles that you play mirror something in your own life or there’s something you can identify with and that can be cathartic to play, however extreme or insignificant that mirror is. I’m drawn to complex characters; flaws fascinate me and I like the challenge of a character needing to be heard and to hold others accountable. Ariel Dorfman’s ‘Death and the Maiden’ is dark, complex and haunting, set against the backdrop of a very disturbing period in history and the audience is made to question the meaning of justice and forgiveness. It’s an amazing play and the company I was in was incredible! As it’s so dark, we found light in each other and laughed a lot - like it was an antidote. That’s how I like to work; where you feel comfortable and at ease with people. Camaraderie, friendship and family - it enables you to throw yourself into the depths of despair feeling held and protected. Again, I was in Neil LaBute’s ‘Helter Skelter / Land of the Dead’ (ironically directed by the same woman Patricia Benecke) and the darkness of that play really spoke to me; a wronged woman calling the shots. Empathy with your character, however slight, I find helpful, it can connect you to a role. I’m not sure I’m really that dark as a person but I am drawn to man’s frailties.
Netflix’s Bridgerton is one of the most popular shows of our time going on its third season. How did this role find you, and what drew you to your character Lady Violet?
I originally taped for a completely different role and was then called in to read for the role of Violet with Kelly Valentine Hendry, the casting director. I didn’t think I stood a chance. There was also very little to go on. The books are easily accessible these days but were quite difficult to get hold of then, so the scene I was given was out of context. It was the scene with Anthony where Violet challenges him to do his job, where she explains to him what it is like for a woman in that society at that time. Violet’s love for all her children doesn’t blind her to the fact that they need steering sometimes. Here is this woman navigating her eight children through life and willing them to experience a love from life that she herself has experienced. She’s written with such humility and grace and is a woman whose bereavement has shaped her. And that appealed to me.
Given the somewhat cult following Bridgerton has accumulated, I’m curious to know, how has your life changed when not on set since the show premiered?
It’s different, undoubtedly, as the show is so loved and it’s been wonderful to meet so many of the fans. Working in this way has been amazing and I’ve been lucky enough to have experienced some very privileged moments – but I try to keep a healthy perspective and not take anything for granted. I don’t do any social media so perhaps it’s easier to navigate in that sense.
Polo Top by Filippa K
Black Coat by Zara
Trousers by Jigsaw
T bar Necklace by Tilly Sveaas
Platform Loafers by Russell & Bromley
From costumes, to set, to music, Bridgerton is loved for the immense attention to detail. Having worked on a vast range of projects in your career, what is the comparison working on such a large-scale production such as Bridgerton?
it’s been extraordinary. All sets I have worked on have been of quality and fine detail…but this is a whole other level! It has been extraordinary! The sheer scale of the sets and all the attention to detail - it’s beautiful. All the way from the costume and make up departments to the rest of the crew - the volume of people it takes on and off the set is utterly breath-taking. I’ve only been on such sets a handful of times, so for it to become my second home, you could say, is incredible. We’ve always had the best crew - what they do is amazing!
Bridgerton has been praised for its diverse casting and modern take on regency-era England. How do you think the show's approach to storytelling resonates with audiences today?
Pure and simple. We want our audiences to see themselves reflected back at them on screen, to mirror the society we live in today, and that helps our story telling.
Left:
Shirt by Zara
Trousers by Zara
Shoes by Russell & Bromley
Gold rings, both by Tilly Sveaas
Right:
Waistcoat + Trousers by Zara
Shoes by Russell & Bromley
Gold rings, both by Tilly Sveaas
Lady Violet is a prominent figure in the Bridgerton family. Without spoiling (or with) can you tell fans anything about her storyline in the upcoming season?
There’s not much I can say but in ‘Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story’ it becomes clear just how much Violet has missed the closeness of her marriage with Edmund. At that point, she had just watched two of her children fall in love themselves, so I would say she is tentatively embracing life again. It will be fun to see how she steps back into society this season.
Working on such a large production, can you share any memorable, funny, or interesting moments from working on the set that fans of the show may not know about?
We enjoy each other’s company so there’s always moments of laughter or general chat about nothing in particular. It’s difficult to pinpoint one moment. Corpsing during a scene, I LOVE! On stage it can be rather frightening as it’s a moment of being out of control. Sometimes, on set, it’s a moment of joy. There’s a scene somewhere where a group of us are sat outside all day and were freezing because we were in the shade. We’re in the deep background, so never seen, and with rehearsals being very technical, they take a long time. We all ended up swapping positions thinking we were still rehearsing and it turned out to be a take! Our only saving grace is that we were so far away you couldn’t really see us. I dare anyone to find it! I also swear an awful lot, particularly when I forget my lines or mess up.
Blazer + Trousers by RAEY
Earrings by Astrid & Miyu
CREW CREDITS:
Talent: Ruth Gemmell
PhotoBook Editor-In-Chief: Alison Hernon
PhotoBook Creative Director: Mike Ruiz
Photographer: David Reiss
Art Direction + Fashion Stylist: Miranda Almond
Hair: Charlotte Yeomans
Makeup: Adam Cooke
Tearsheets by Daniel López, Art Director, PhotoBook Magazine
Interview by Ethan Engh, Contributor, PhotoBook Magazine
RELATED STORIES
