Ruby Button | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hollyoaks character | |||||||
Portrayed by | Anna Shaffer | ||||||
Duration | 2011–2014, 2017–2018 | ||||||
First appearance | 3 January 2011 | ||||||
Last appearance | 30 April 2018 | ||||||
Classification | Former; regular | ||||||
Introduced by | Paul Marquess (2010) Bryan Kirkwood (2017, 2018) | ||||||
|
Ruby Button is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks , played by Anna Shaffer. Shaffer's casting was announced in December 2010 and it was revealed that Ruby would be introduced as the sister of Duncan Button (Dean Aspen). Shaffer originally auditioned for the role of Leanne Holiday, in which she was not successful. Shaffer began filming her scenes in late 2010 and relocated to Liverpool for filming. Ruby made her first appearance in the episode broadcast on 3 January 2011. In October 2013, it was announced that Shaffer had quit the role and would leave in February 2014. In October 2017, speculation emerged indicating Shaffer was to reprise the role very soon and on 16 November 2017, it was confirmed that Ruby would be back for Frankie Osborne's (Helen Pearson) funeral later that month. She returned on 23 November 2017, departing in the following episode, broadcast on 24 November. She made another return for a guest stint at the end of April 2018, making her final appearance on 30 April.
Ruby was initially described as "sneaky" and likely to cause mayhem at Duncan's expense. Ruby is a tearaway and "occupies herself with tormenting others" including her best friend, Esther Bloom (Jazmine Franks). Ruby is illiterate and the official Hollyoaks website describe this as her "Achilles heel". However, Ruby does not let her illiteracy stop her causing trouble. The character has also been called a "bitchy schoolgirl" and sharp-tongued. Series producer, Emma Smithwick, said she wants the character of Ruby to be "more full and not two-dimensional". Ruby's storylines have often focused on her various relationships and "bitchy" ways. Ruby engages in a brief relationship with Duncan's best friend, Ricky Campbell (Ashley Margolis), which ends when Ricky sees Ruby bullying others. Ruby also becomes best friends with Esther and Sinead O'Connor (Stephanie Davis). A prominent storyline for Ruby saw her reveal her illiteracy and subsequently develop feelings for her tutor, Pete Hamill (Peter Mitchell). Ruby's behaviour soon begins to "spiral out of control" and she claims to have had sex with older man, Riley Costello (Rob Norbury). She later embarks on a relationships with Jono (Dylan Llewellyn) and Ziggy Roscoe (Fabrizio Santino), and becomes embroiled in the bullying of Esther as well as suffering a heart attack.
"When I first auditioned, I think I was reading for the part of Leanne Holiday. It was nerve-wracking because they were filming it, and there were five people in the room. I just remember being very nervous, and really scared that the script would start shaking as I was holding it. I think I played it a bit cooler than I was actually feeling!" [1]
—Shaffer on the audition process (2011)
In December 2010, the Liverpool Echo reported that eighteen-year-old Shaffer would be joining the cast of Hollyoaks as Ruby, the sister of Duncan Button (Dean Aspen). [2] Shaffer originally auditioned for the role of Leanne Holiday, but she was later cast as Ruby. [1] Shaffer relocated to Liverpool, where Hollyoaks is filmed, for the role. [1] She began filming her scenes in late 2010. [3] Shaffer made her first on-screen appearance as Ruby in the episode broadcast on 3 January 2011. [4] In May 2011, it was speculated that Shaffer would be leaving Hollyoaks. [3] However, this was denied and a show spokesperson told Digital Spy "We don't want to spoil the storylines for the viewers, however we can confirm that Anna Shaffer is with Hollyoaks for the foreseeable future." [3]
Ruby was initially described as "sneaky" and likely to "cause mayhem at the expense of [Duncan]". [2] The official Hollyoaks website described Ruby as a "tearaway". [5] They dubbed her the "Rubester" and said she "occupies herself with tormenting others" including her best friend, Esther Bloom (Jazmine Franks). [5] Ruby is illiterate, which is her "Achilles heel". [5] However, she does not let her illiteracy stop her causing trouble. [5] Digital Spy called Ruby a "bitchy schoolgirl" who is sharp-tongued. [3] Series producer, Emma Smithwick, said she wants the character of Ruby to be "more full and not two-dimensional". [6] Shaffer told OK Extra that Ruby is a "tart with a heart", but finds it hard to trust people. [7] She said "[Ruby] has deep-seated insecurities and she feels quite lonely." [7]
In May 2011, it was revealed that Ruby is illiterate. [8] Ruby gets her friend, Sinead O'Connor (Stephanie Davis) to write a love letter from their friend, Esther Bloom (Jazmine Franks), to teaching assistant, Amy Barnes (Ashley Slanina-Davies). [8] Shaffer told a columnist from Inside Soap that Ruby and Sinead "come up with all this ridiculous, over-the-top stuff" and put up copies of the letter around school. [8] Amy discovers what Ruby and Sinead have done and asks them to write apology letters to Esther. [8] Shaffer explained that Ruby seems worried and does everything she can to get out of writing the letter. [8] Explaining the situation, Shaffer told Inside Soap [...] "Sinead realises that it's not because Ruby doesn't want to write the letter - it's because she can't". [8] Esther discovers Ruby's illiteracy and decides to help. [8] Esther's grandmother, Frankie Osborne (Helen Pearson), learns of Ruby's treatment of Esther and threatens to throw her out. [8] However, Esther convinces Frankie to let Ruby stay when she reveals her illiteracy. [8] Esther also tells their school headteacher, Pete Hamill (Peter Mitchell). [8] Shaffer opined that Ruby is grateful to Esther as Ruby "wouldn't have the guts". [8] The actress added that it was "nice" to see Ruby's vulnerability, but said it would not last. [8]
Pete organises a tutor, Colin Grimshaw (Michael Mears), to teach Ruby to read and write. [9] Ruby assumes that Pete will be tutoring her. [9] She has feelings for him and thinks they are reciprocated. [9] Shaffer said that Ruby is "gutted" when she learns that Colin will be tutoring her. [9] Ruby tries to make their lessons "as difficult as possible". [9] The other students post a photo of Ruby and Colin inside a love heart on the classroom board which leaves Ruby "absolutely mortified". [9] Shaffer opined that people may sympathise with Ruby. [9] She said "Instead of thinking about what a bitch [Ruby] is, the viewers might start to realise that she's actually just a lost little girl." [9] Ruby "winds up" Colin in their lessons and she does not think that he will retaliate. [9] Ruby tells Pete that Colin touched her inappropriately. [10] However, Pete convinces Ruby that Colin was only trying to comfort her. [11] Pete tells Ruby that Colin will continue to tutor her. [11] Ruby verbally abuses Colin and he slaps her. [9] [11] Pete sees this and suspends Colin. [11] Ruby uses the situation to her advantage and "revels" in the attention. [9] [12] Pete then offers to be Ruby's new tutor. [12] In August 2011, Ruby kisses Pete during one of their study sessions. [13] Ruby kisses Pete after she accidentally spills a drink on him. [13] Shaffer said that Ruby and Pete are "physically close" and she decides to be spontaneous. [13] Pete is "horrified" and rebuffs her advances. [13] Shaffer revealed that Ruby is hurt by this as she had convinced herself that her feelings were reciprocated by Pete. [13] He then tells her that he is going to find a replacement tutor. [13]
In May 2011, it was reported that she would soon "spiral out of control". [14] Ruby plans to host a party as Frankie and Jack Osborne (Jimmy McKenna) are on holiday. [14] However, Jack asks his son, Darren (Ashley Taylor Dawson) and Darren's girlfriend, Nancy Hayton (Jessica Fox), to babysit Ruby whilst they are away. [14] Darren and Nancy discover Ruby's plans and put a stop to them. [14] Shaffer explained that Ruby sees Frankie and Jack being away as the "perfect" opportunity to make some mischief. [14] However, Ruby underestimates Nancy, who poses as her on a social networking website and cancels the party. [14] Ruby is "furious" and decides to run away. [14] She stands "sexily" at the side of the road trying to hitch a lift out of the village. [15] Ruby is pleased when Riley Costello (Rob Norbury) and Doug Carter (PJ Brennan) offer her a lift and she introduces herself as Alicia. [14] [15] She then joins them on their night out. [14] [15] Doug flirts with Ruby and Shaffer said that "Ruby being Ruby then thinks it would be a good idea to head back to his flat". [14] Ruby and Doug kiss, but she passes out as she is not used to drinking "so much" alcohol. [14] Doug decides to take her home and looks for her mobile phone to call one of her friends. [14] However, he finds her student identification and discovers her real age. [14] Doug tells Riley and as they panic, Ruby wakes up and realises that they are talking about her. [15] She "freaks out" and unable to find her own top, takes Riley's football training top before secretly leaving. [14] [15] Doug and Riley are "frantic" when they realise Ruby has gone. [15] They later find her "worse for wear" and covered in her own sick. [15] They return her home to Frankie after getting their story straight. [15] Later, Ruby realises who the training top belongs to and Shaffer said that she sees it as an opportunity to cause more trouble. [14] Ruby lies to Esther, telling her that she had sex with Riley. [15]
Of Ruby's lie, a Hollyoaks insider told the Daily Star "As far as [Riley and Doug are] concerned that's the end of it. But for Ruby the fun has just begun." [16] They added that Ruby is "one seriously mixed-up girl" and it is not long before her lie begins to spread. [16] Ruby tells her friends that she had sex with Riley and the rumour begins to spread around the village. [17] Riley's fiancé, Mercedes McQueen (Jennifer Metcalfe), hears the rumour and is angry with Ruby. [17] The Daily Star reported that Ruby is left "red-faced" after Mercedes confronts her. [17] Mercedes tells Ruby that she must confess to making the lie up. [17]
In December 2011, it was announced that Ruby would begin a relationship with Jono (Dylan Llewellyn). [18] Jono attends Ruby's sixteenth birthday party and the other guests do not arrive. [19] Shaffer said that Ruby is "over the moon" with Jono's presence. [19] Ruby sees Jono as a "cool sixth-former" and she asks him out. [19] Jono accepts and they enjoy a romantic evening at the cinema. [19] However, they are both nervous and Shaffer said that Ruby is anxious and has "first date jitters". [19] Shaffer explained that Jono's worries are caused by his lack of experience with women. [19] The actress called Ruby and Jono's encounter "awkward yet very sweet". [19] Shaffer added that the storyline would see a "nicer side" of Ruby emerge, which she opined was great. [19] She said "We're going to see their relationship blossom - it'll be a rocky ride, but I've got my fingers crossed!". [19] The official Hollyoaks website referred to the couple by the portmanteau "Juby". [20]
The pair continue to see each other and their relationship becomes serious. [21] Shaffer told a writer from Inside Soap that Ruby has "really fallen for Jono" and that while they have had their share of problems - a "proper attraction" remains between them. However, Jono is embarrassed because Ruby is still in school; Shaffer explained that he ensures that their dates happen when no one else is present. He does like her, but "it is taking a while to get there". [21] Ruby is sure of what she wants and she invites him over for sex - but their encounter causes them to feel more awkward around one another. Shaffer added that Ruby and Jono's romance would continue to develop over time and said that it would have plenty of "drama in store for both of them". [21]
On 31 October 2013, it was confirmed that Shaffer had decided to leave Hollyoaks. [22] A show spokesperson revealed that Shaffer's final scenes as Ruby will air in early 2014. [22] It was also confirmed that Ruby's on-off relationship with Ziggy Roscoe (Fabrizio Santino) would face "more twists and turns" in the following weeks. [22] In her later storylines, Ruby bought cocaine from Trevor Royle (Greg Wood) and suffered a heart attack after taking it.
In August 2011, Inside Soap conducted a poll to find out which Hollyoaks character reader's most wanted to be murdered by serial killer, Silas Blissett (Jeff Rawle). [23] Ruby came second, receiving 21% of the vote. [23] Smithwick told Digital Spy that she "really like[s]" Shaffer. [6] Sarah Ellis of Inside Soap said that Jono was a bad boyfriend to Ruby and that she should have ended their relationship. [24]
Darren Osborne is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks. He was introduced by executive producer Phil Redmond as part of the Osborne family, making his first screen appearance on 18 November 1996, portrayed by Adam Booth. Booth left the role in 1997, and the character was later recast to Ashley Taylor Dawson who first appeared in September 1999. Dawson left the role in 2000 to concentrate on his music career, though returned in 2003 and has remained in the role ever since. He remains one of the longest-running characters in the programme.
Stephanie Louise Waring is an English actress, known for her roles in the Australian soap opera Crash Palace (2001–2002), the BBC1 drama series Nice Guy Eddie (2001–2002), and Channel 4's Hollyoaks (1996–2024), where she appeared for almost three decades as Cindy Cunningham. Her other television work includes guest appearances on Merseybeat, Holby City, Doctors, and Coronation Street, as well as competing in the tenth series of Dancing on Ice in 2018.
Riley Costello is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Rob Norbury. Riley was introduced on 20 July 2010 with the Costello family as part of a cast overhaul of the series. In December 2011, the serial's executive producer Emma Smithwick said that Riley would remain in Hollyoaks despite his family's departure. On 14 September 2012, it was announced Riley was to leave Hollyoaks and Riley was killed off in a shooting during the episode airing 3 October 2012.
Anne "Mitzeee" Minniver is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Rachel Shenton. The character debuted on-screen during the episode airing on 23 July 2010. Mitzeee was created by series producer Paul Marquess for a different television series which was never commissioned and instead introduced his ideas onto Mitzeee. She is also one of the first characters created in Marquess's 2010 reinvention of Hollyoaks. Mitzeee is a wannabe glamour model and WAG, she is portrayed as being ruthless in achieving her goals and is fame driven. Shenton helped create her backstory and has stated on different occasions that Mitzeee uses femininity to get what she wants. Various media outlets drew comparisons to the character with pop star Cheryl Cole, and Mitzeee spells her career name with triple e's because she finds her name plain, a tag Shenton has also agreed with. On 20 December 2012, it was announced that Shenton had left the show and her final scenes aired on 15 February 2013.
Texas Savage is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Bianca Hendrickse-Spendlove. She debuted on-screen during the episode airing on 17 May 2010. Texas was introduced by producer Paul Marquess as the on-screen sister of India Longford. Texas was initially portrayed as a "quite light and quite daft" character. Her first main storyline began in the aftermath of India's murder, her subsequent grief storyline and later being targeted by Silas Blissett. Texas has also featured in the online spin-off series, Hollyoaks: Freshers. In February 2013 it was announced that Texas would depart the serial as she was murdered in a "whodunit" storyline. She departed in a flashback on 13 May 2013 after it was revealed her husband, Will Savage, had pushed her out of the window at the wedding venue.
Leanne Holiday is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks and its Internet spin-off Hollyoaks: Freshers, played by Jessica Forrest. Forrest's casting was announced in July 2010 and she began filming her scenes in June. The actress originally commuted from Manchester to Liverpool for filming, before relocating there. Forrest was a drama and film studies student when she gained the role of Leanne. She made her first appearance in Hollyoaks: Freshers on 26 August 2010 before appearing in the main show. Leanne departed the show on 21 October 2013, when the character was killed off in an explosion as part of the show's eighteenth anniversary celebrations.
Lynsey Nolan is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Karen Hassan. The character originally appeared in the first series of the Hollyoaks spin-off Hollyoaks Later. In 2010, Hollyoaks series producer Paul Marquess asked Hassan to join Hollyoaks as part of the soap's ongoing rejuvenation, to which she agreed and the character began appearing in the main show from 11 August 2010. Hassan left Hollyoaks in 2012 when her character was killed off during a "dramatic cliffhanger" episode. To surprise the audience, the actress's exit was not announced beforehand. Hassan's final scenes were broadcast on 21 August 2012, giving viewers the "ending they were looking for".
Hollyoaks began airing on Channel 4 in the United Kingdom on 23 October 1995. The show targeted teenagers and initially dramatised the lives of seven teenagers living in Hollyoaks, a fictional suburb in the city of Chester in Cheshire, England.
Silas Blissett is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Jeff Rawle. Rawle's casting was announced in December 2010 and it was revealed that he would portray a serial killer. Rawle was approached by Hollyoaks and met with series producer, Paul Marquess, who explained the role of Silas and his storyline. Rawle found the storyline something which he would like to "have a crack at". The actor said that the role of Silas is "very interesting" for him as he had not played a murderer in his career before. He made his first on-screen appearance in episode 2979, originally broadcast on 23 December 2010. However, Silas departed for the first time on 4 November 2011. Silas returned on 19 July 2012, as a guest stint. Silas returned again in 2016 as well as making two further returns in 2020 and 2022 with this being his last return as he was killed-off in a final showdown with the McQueens.
Anna Maureen Barth Shaffer is an English actress. She gained prominence through her roles as Romilda Vane in the Harry Potter films (2009–2011) and Ruby Button in the E4 soap opera Hollyoaks (2011–2018). As of 2019, she plays Triss Merigold in the Netflix adaptation of The Witcher.
The fourth series of Hollyoaks Later is a British television series and late night spin-off of Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks. The series aired in September 2011 at 10pm. The series revolved around Silas Blissett's search for another murder victim which culminated in the death of Rae Wilson, the stag do of Riley Costello, the hen party of Mercedes McQueen and Ricky Campbell and Duncan Button's trip to fat camp.
Maddison "Maddie" Morrison is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Scarlett Bowman. Maddie is an old friend of Bart McQueen. Bowman's casting was announced in June 2011. Maddie was introduced to Hollyoaks along with her friends, Tilly Evans and Jono. Maddie made her first appearance in the episode broadcast on 21 June 2011 and departed on 15 November 2012 when the character was killed in the highly publicised Enjoy The Ride storyline.
Doug Carter is a fictional character from the British soap opera Hollyoaks, played by PJ Brennan. Brennan initially appeared as Doug in the programme's online spin-off series Hollyoaks: Freshers, before his debut in the main show on 13 September 2010. He appeared in 5 episodes before returning on 13 January 2011 as a regular character.
Emma Smithwick is an Irish television producer. Smithwick worked at the BBC for six years where she was involved with several shows for the teen brand BBC Switch and moved on to write for its in-house teen soap The Cut. For the final year of BBC Switch, Smithwick was a commissioning editor. In 2011 Smithwick moved to Hollyoaks to take on the role as Series Editor and later replaced Gareth Philips as the series producer of the soap opera Hollyoaks.
George Smith is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Steven Roberts. George debuted on-screen on 5 September 2011. George was introduced alongside the characters Neil Cooper and Callum Kane ; forming a new group of sixth-form college students. George is homosexual and is characterised as a "sharp tongued fashionista" with an unusual dress sense. He is best friends with Maddie Morrison and Tilly Evans, Roberts has said that George acts like their "lap-dog". However, George lacks confidence around the series' male characters.
The fifth series of Hollyoaks Later is a British television series and late night spin-off of Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks. The series aired between 17 September and 21 September 2012.
Esther Bloom is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by actor Jazmine Franks. The character made her first on-screen appearance on 18 January 2011. Franks had previously auditioned for roles in the show. She did not think that she had secured the part of Esther and concentrated on her studies until she was informed. As an open lesbian, Esther is comfortable with her sexuality. Since her inception she has shared a friendship with the character Ruby Button but has long been subjected to her "bitchy" comments. She is characterised as having a "selfless consideration for others" despite being a "proverbial punchbag" for many characters. Esther found confidence when she decided to pursue a fashion career. Franks has said that upon doing so Esther's style also changed.
"Enjoy the Ride" is a storyline from the British soap opera Hollyoaks, broadcast between 12 and 16 November 2012 on Channel 4. The storyline focuses on the double wedding of Tony Hutchinson and Cindy Cunningham alongside Ste Hay and Doug Carter. Jono and Ruby Button plan to elope to Gretna Green, so Maddie Morrison steals a minibus. Bart McQueen and Esther Bloom plan to stop the wedding. They momentarily distract Maddie, causing her to swerve off the road. Maddie is unable to stop due to the minibus' faulty brakes and crashes into the venue of the double wedding, endangering the wedding party and the occupants of the minibus. The minibus later explodes, causing further danger for the characters. The storyline was announced by the Daily Star on 21 October 2012. They reported that the disaster is the biggest in Hollyoaks yet. Steven Roberts, who plays George Smith, said that after the crash "no one will be the same, everyone is going to be affected by it in some way". To promote the storyline a televised advertisement was shown, featuring clips filmed specifically for the trailer. It revealed no details about the plot and was instead about the subtext of the storyline. Filming took place on location at Knowsley Hall, which Pickard described as a "very grand setting for a big Hollyoaks disaster". The scenes were filmed over a full week with two days dedicated to the stunt sequences. The filming of the stunts used dummies and stunt doubles and employed a mix of CGI effects and live action.