Ruby Stokes On The Moment She Fell In Love With Acting, Her Career Ambitions, and Her Role as Lucy Carlye on 'Lockwood & Co'
Ruby was photographed by Joseph Sinclair in London; she was styled by Brillant Nyansago; hair by Davide Barbieri; makeup by Sara Hill; interview by Alison Engstrom; fashion assistant Ilaria Guerra
above Dress by Rachel Gilbert; jewelry by Matilde.
What was one of your first creative experiences that left a mark on you and made you want to pursue a creative life?
I was very fortunate that my parents took me to the theater when I was younger. I remember seeing Mary Poppins when I was six or seven, and I thought it was an absolute spectacle. It was incredible. My parents also played a lot of music when I was younger. They had a big record collection so music was always on in the house and it was also a huge influence on me. When I was nine or ten I did a drama youth club and I absolutely loved it, and not to sound cringe (laughs), I caught a bug, I caught a feeling for acting. I loved being surrounded by like-minded people. I couldn’t even believe it was a career.
above Ruby is wearing a dress by Preen by Thornton Bregazzi; undergarments by Hanro; jewelry by Matilde.
What was a role, opportunity where you felt more doors open and a professional career was possible?
I was asked to audition for an agency and I got in. I did it as a hobby for a little bit and then when I was 14, it was the earliest you could audition for the National Youth Theater. I did and I got in. It was a two-week course; I loved exploring different parts of the theater. Then I went to a performing arts school–I could speak out this for a million years (laughs)—amd that widened my horizons and made me think it might be possible.
above Ruby is wearing a dress by Preen by Thornton Bregazzi; undergarments by Hanro; jewelry by Matilde.
Congratulations on the success of ‘Lockwood and Co’, it’s reached the streaming platform’s Top 10 list in over 70 countries. The series is based on the book series by Jonathan Stroud and you play Lucy Carlye, a real force! How did you approach your character and what have you loved about playing her?
I read the first 100 pages on Google Reads and what immediately struck me was how this was a hero story from a perspective of a young woman. She was going through the universal experience of being a teenager and experiencing grief, loss, anger, joy, and love. I resonated with it because that’s what my teenage years felt like. She’s also a hero at the helm of this ship and it felt very important to me that it was a woman leading this story and harnessing her power and immediately I found that quite exciting. When I got the script, again, I couldn't put it down. There was this sense of awe because it was written from Lucy’s perspective just like in the books by Jonathan Stroud. I was very fortunate to have the nuances of being inside the character’s brain, but in the same breath, I knew I had to do the books justice.
Did you feel any pressure since the book series is so popular to get it right?
The approach the production took, it’s an incredibly loyal adaptation down to the small set details. Marcus Rowland, the set designer, made it so coherent and collaborative to the book. There was a sense of me wanting to stay faithful to the character but in Jonathan’s writing, there is so much freedom, and things are left up to interpretation by the reader and the audience. Therefore I was able to take from that and play with Lucy and experiment with her in the way I wanted to.
Since she is a ghost hunter with psychic abilities, how did you get into Lucy’s headspace?
We were very fortunate that we had this rehearsal period where we got into the vernacular and the language of the show. It’s an entire entity and world unto itself, so it was important that we were well-versed in that. Also, getting into the physical language of the show of sword fights and swinging chains around and moving like these characters.
Tell me about that! How was it wielding a sword and getting into that part of her?
Oh my gosh, it was so much fun. It was something about the script that struck me as well that Lucy was able to do sword fighting. In the end, I wish we had seen her fight more and save the men. I think she is very capable. I got to do a lot of fighting and it was so much fun. I loved the stunt training and the sword-fighting.
Can you practice off season (laughs)?
I wish I could say I kept up my sword-fighting skills (laughs). I think I would need a couple of days to get back into it (laughs).
Are you someone who believes in the supernatural world and that something exists beyond ourselves?
I definitely think that there is an energy and that our souls once we pass, carry on. Our energy goes into the world and into other things. But never say never though, I have never encountered a ghost, but hey, if it was there, I would believe.
Prior to the new series you were in a little show called ‘Bridgerton’. What did you love most about that experience?
The time I got to spend with the cast and crew. Everyone was just incredibly sincere, genuine, and funny. It was incredible having that time with those people.
Since you’ve done a period piece and a supernatural thriller, is there another type of material you’d love to sink your teeth into?
I have only done a handful of things but I can’t wait to do theater. One day the dream would be to do a biopic. I’d love to play someone who has a villain origin story, that would be exciting. I am really excited for what the future holds.
Outside of acting how do you stay inspired?
I just go and see stuff. I’m very fortunate in London there are under 25 tickets. Also, multiple subscriptions, watching a bunch of things, and reading. When I am working, I tend to not pick up a book because you are in a script, so I tend to watch a lot of reality TV. It’s such an escape, Love Island was my favorite. When I am not working, I consume, in order to keep challenging myself, I just consume and that’s the best thing for me.
follow ruby stokes on instagram
stream ‘Lockwood and Co.’ on netflix
A special thank you to Shelter PR and this team.