Bridgerton Actor Criticises Shonda Rhimes, Netflix For Lack Of Support

In recent news, 'Bridgerton' actor Ruby Barker has slammed both Shonda Rhimes, the executive producer of the show, and Netflix, its distributor, for her bad experience on set. Barker claimed in an interview that she suffered "two psychotic breaks" during filming, for which she received no support from production. 

Ruby Barker is a 26-year-old British artist. She made her debut in the British drama thriller, How to Stop a Recurring Dream, and is best known for her role as Marina Thompson in season 1 and season 2  of the Netflix series 'Bridgerton', according to Page Six. 

Barker's Revelations On A Podcast

Barker is also an activist, supporting several causes including mental health and mental health support (especially during grief) as an ambassador for Cruse Bereavement Support, and has campaigned to reform laws regarding mental health in Britain. 

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During an interview on Oxford University's The LOAF Podcast on October 28, Barker alleged that she had "two psychotic breaks"- one breakdown in 2019, the second in 2022, none of which she got support for from Shonda Rhimes, Shondaland, and Netflix. 

“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,” the actor claimed in the interview.  

The actress went on to say that, coupled with the role of Marina Thompson (who, in 'Bridgerton' season 1, is alienated because of her out-of-wedlock pregnancy), filming the show became an exhausting, trying experience, one during which she was "deteriorating" every day. 

Barker claimed that she was admitted to hospital for the first time after wrapping up Season 1 of 'Bridgerton', and goes on to explain why her condition was covered up because of the impending release of the show in 2019. She received no support from production in 2019 and has received no support since, according to  Page Six.

Watch her interview here. 

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