Ruby Barker, the actress who played Marina in the hit series Bridgerton, has recently opened up about her struggles with mental health during the show’s filming. She alleged that she suffered two psychotic breaks and did not receive any support from neither the production team nor Netflix and Shondaland. Bridgerton has captured the hearts of audiences worldwide, adapting Julia Quinn’s romance novels into a period drama series that explores the scandalous lives of Regency London’s elite. However, behind the glitz and glamour on-screen, Barker revealed the challenges she faced.
Ruby Barker’s mental health struggle during filming
Barker opened up about her mental health struggles during an interview on Oxford University’s “The LOAF Podcast.” She said that “not a single person from Netflix, not a single person from Shondaland, since I have had two psychotic breaks from that show, have even contacted me or even emailed me to ask me if I’m OK or ask me if I would benefit from any sort of aftercare or support.”
Barker’s experience on set was very tormenting, as her character, Marina, had to conceal a disgraceful pregnancy. She felt alienated, ostracized, and all alone under these horrible circumstances. The actress had her first breakdown in 2019, which was covered up and kept on the down-low because the show was about to be released. She went through immense pressure to keep up with her life in the limelight as her career was taking off.
The lack of support from Netflix and Shondaland didn’t improve with time, leading Barker to another breakdown in 2022. After this, she revealed that she had been “really unwell for a really long time” and had a diagnosis. However, she still didn’t receive any support, which led her to take matters into her own hands.
It’s evident that the intense storyline and isolation had a massive effect on Ruby Barker’s mental health. This highlights the need for adequate mental health support in the entertainment industry, significantly from the production teams of shows and movies. Such support can help actors to give their best performances while dealing with mental health struggles.
Impact of the show’s storyline on Ruby Barker’s mental health
Ruby Barker’s character Marina had a fictional storyline in “Bridgerton,” where she had to hide her pregnancy, which was deemed disgraceful. Barker revealed that portraying that role on set was a tormenting experience, and it had a significant impact on her mental health. She felt isolated, ostracised, and alienated, just like her character. As her character was deteriorating, so was her real-life mental health.
Barker found it challenging to keep up with her life in the limelight as her career took off while she struggled mentally. It was a lack of support and a high-pressure environment that led her to her first psychotic break while shooting Season 1 of “Bridgerton.” The pressure was so high that her mental struggle was kept on the down-low.
Her character’s storyline and the complicated relationship with the other actors on the set was a significant source of stress for her. Barker’s emotional state worsened, leading her to suffer another psychotic break during Season 2 of the show.
The show’s plotline had an enormous impact on her mental health and her entire life. Barker found that the lack of support from the production company while she was struggling with mental illness was a real concern.
Post-filming struggles – Ruby Barker
As Ruby’s career took off, she felt immense pressure to keep up with her life in the limelight. Having suffered through one psychotic break in 2019, she found herself in the hospital once again in 2022 after her second breakdown.
Despite carrying the weight of the world on her shoulders, she didn’t receive any support from Netflix and Shondaland. However, she never gave up on herself. Ruby has since sought help and received a diagnosis, and is determined to survive.
Netflix and Shondaland’s lack of response
Netflix and Shondaland have not responded to Ruby Barker’s allegations regarding lack of support during her mental health struggles while filming Bridgerton. Barker expressed disappointment that not a single person from the production team reached out to check if she needed any support or aftercare following her two psychotic breaks. It is alarming to see the lack of attention paid to the mental well-being of actors who work tirelessly to entertain us. It is high time production teams step up to provide mental health support and care for their actors. We hope Barker’s call for support brings about a positive change in the entertainment industry.
In the wake of Ruby Barker’s revelations about her struggles with mental health while filming Bridgerton, it is time for the entertainment industry to prioritize the well-being of its cast and crew. Lack of support and care from production teams during and after filming can take a toll on an individual’s mental and physical health. Mental health support should be more than just a mere checkbox on a to-do list. We need to create a culture where mental health is given equal importance as physical health and is destigmatized. It’s high time for the industry to address these issues and give the actors the support they deserve.
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