Bridgerton's Ruby Barker exposes lack of support from Netflix and Shondaland during psychotic break

Ruby Barker, recognized for her portrayal of Marina in the hit series Bridgerton, has shared her candid insights into the difficulties she faced during the production. During an interview on Oxford University's The LOAF Podcast, Barker raised concerns about the lack of support she received from both Netflix and Shondaland, the entities responsible for the popular show.

In her conversation on The LOAF Podcast, Barker provided a glimpse into the demanding process of working on the acclaimed Bridgerton series, a joint venture by Shondaland and Netflix. She disclosed, "Not a single person from Netflix, nor anyone from Shondaland, reached out to me after I experienced two psychotic breaks during my time on the show. There was no inquiry about my well-being or any offer of aftercare or support. Absolutely nobody."

Barker, a 26-year-old actress who portrayed the character of Marina in the series, went on to express the trials she confronted while filming. She elaborated, "Throughout the filming, I was going through a significant deterioration. It was an incredibly distressing period for me, as my character was deliberately isolated and ostracized under challenging circumstances. These issues were concealed and kept under wraps, primarily due to the impending release of the show. While my life was dramatically transforming overnight, the support I needed was conspicuously absent. To this day, I haven't received any support. Consequently, I strived diligently to project a facade of normalcy, to convince myself and others that I could continue working without any complications."


Barker's candid revelations provide a valuable perspective on the challenges faced by actors during the production of celebrated shows, revealing the toll it can take on their well-being. She shared that she had to be hospitalized for the first time after the completion of Season 1 of Bridgerton.

In related news, it was unveiled during last year's Global fan event TUDUM that Season 3 of Bridgerton will diverge from the original book material, focusing on the romantic narrative of Colin and Penelope, rather than Benedict Bridgerton. Fans can look forward to the release of this anticipated season, slated for sometime in the coming year.