Ruth Madeley on Breaking Barriers in Showbiz and Her New Thriller 'The Rapture'

Actress Ruth Madeley is making waves in the entertainment industry by challenging how disability is portrayed on screen. In a recent interview, she discussed her latest role in the BBC thriller 'The Rapture,' an adaptation of Liz Jensen's novel. The story is set in a secure psychiatric unit for children, where Madeley plays Gabs, a clinical psychologist who becomes paralyzed after a car accident that also killed her husband. She becomes intrigued by a teenage patient who claims to have visions of future disasters, which start coming true amid a heatwave and climate crisis. Madeley, known for her role in Russell T Davies' apocalyptic series 'Years and Years,' noted the eerie timeliness of the show's climate themes. She joked about Davies' tendency to write prescient stories, recalling how 'Years and Years' featured a pandemic just before COVID-19 hit. The actress, who uses a wheelchair in real life, has been vocal about the need for more authentic representation of disabled people in media. She rose to fame through determination and curiosity, never expecting such success. 'I thought there'd never be enough work,' she admitted, but her 'sheer nosiness' propelled her career. 'The Rapture' continues Madeley's trend of starring in thought-provoking, high-stakes dramas, solidifying her status as a versatile and groundbreaking performer.