View our unique behind-the-scenes footage from Louisa’s picture session for TV Mag.
It was a full circle moment when EastEnders actress Louisa Lytton returned to Albert Square as Ruby Allen for the first time in three years. This is because, in addition to Ruby’s homecoming as a new mother, Louisa also gave birth to her first child, a three-year-old daughter named Aura, while she was away from the soap opera.
In an exclusive interview with The Sun’s TV Mag, she says, “Now that I’m a mother, it’s lovely to come in playing a mum – there’s nothing like knowing those feelings.”
“I believe Ruby has been lacking a purpose in life for a long time, and becoming a mother has finally given her one.”
Ruby was last seen by EastEnders viewers in 2021, when she informed Martin that she was expecting a child before being driven away in a police vehicle following her arrest for operating a cannabis plantation at the Slaters’.
When Chrissie Watts recently revealed to Sharon that Ruby had been her cellmate and had left jail to deliver a baby, viewers were reassured that she had given birth off-screen in 2022.
Although the specifics of Ruby’s homecoming later this month are still being kept under wraps, one thing is certain: she will make a spectacular comeback.
As Louisa, 35, hints, “That’s Ruby’s character – she comes in and ruffles feathers, does the wrong thing and says the wrong thing, and she definitely comes back with a lot of drama.”
However, she does have her priorities in order now that she is a mother. She will still make mistakes, but I don’t think she will intentionally make blunders or poor choices as she has in the past.
Because beginning any work may be nerve-racking, I was really anxious to return, but after a half-day, I felt as though I had never gone. In some ways, everything was fresh, yet it also seemed familiar.
“Ruby’s return seems appropriate because I’ve been a member of this program for 20 years. I think we still have a lot of things to work out with her. She has a long history with a lot of different personas.
Louisa benefited from having such close friends on the cast, such as James Bye (Martin Fowler) and Lacey Turner (Stacey Slater).
Louisa, who married husband Ben in the summer of 2022, says, “I’ve stayed really close to both of them.”
They attended my Italian wedding. I’m so thankful that they both flew all that way, so bless them. I still see and talk to Lacey, and I’ve gone up to her house, visited her farm, and our kids have met, which is wonderful.
“This show does that. It forges such connections that it seems like no time has gone between you, even if there are individuals here who I haven’t even seen since I left.
But this is the first time Louisa has had to balance being a mom with the demanding schedule of a soap opera.
As she gets older and asks more questions, the actress says, “I’ve done other jobs over the time I’ve been away, and I would say each job has had that little bit easier with the juggling aspect on part but more difficult on part.”
In the end, parents find it really difficult since we live in a world where returning to work is a need. There was no maternity [pay] in my situation.
“Wanting to spend more time at home with your child while still having to pay your bills is a never-ending struggle.
“Aura is just asking, ‘Where are you going?'” at the moment. She doesn’t know what I do.
But because I had lipstick on, TV Mag asked me, ‘What’s on your lips?’ when I got home after our picture session. “When you go to your other work,” she added, “you don’t come home with that lipstick on,” which is evident when I’m filming.
Seeing their tiny minds attempt to figure out what in the world is happening is hilarious. “Are you going to take that off since it’s going to go in your pillow?” she said.
I feel so confident in my duty as a mother that it has, in a way, increased my personal security.
She is quite picky since she is a Virgo! I say, “It’s all right.” Why are you considering doing the laundry? You are three years old!
“Being a mother simply puts your life in perspective.” that’s strange because you would think that would make you more agitated, but it’s really kind of calmed me as a person. I’m a little calmer and more relaxed now. I feel so confident in my duty as a mother that it has, in a way, increased my personal security.
Additionally, Louisa enjoys watching Strictly Come Dancing with young Aura on the weekends. Louisa, the youngest participant in the history of Strictly Come Dancing, participated on the show in 2006 at the age of just 17.
“Mummy did this,” I said. She said, “Huh?” “Oh, don’t confuse her!” Louisa, who has been supporting her co-star Jamie Borthwick (Jay Mitchell), smiles.
It’s hilarious because, to be honest, the song still made me anxious for the first several years after performing in the performance, so I couldn’t really watch it.
However, as Aura is in bed by the time it begins, we watch it on a Sunday morning because she now adores it. Although I haven’t told her, “Oh, that’s Mummy’s friend,” Jamie is fantastic and enjoying himself immensely.
“You could just point your toes a little more,” I advised him, and he said, “You’re old! You completed it years ago.
And she would be thrilled to do it again if she could.
“When will Strictly’s All-Stars edition air? I’m practically waiting at the door with my sequins, so please include that in the piece! Louisa laughs.
“I would never criticize Strictly Come Dancing in any way. It was amazing. Vincent [Simone], my professional dancing partner, and I had the time of our lives.
“If I could, I would genuinely do it year. I’m really happy I was able to do that, and I truly enjoyed it.
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