Newcomer lands lead role in full-length feature film

Nov 19 2007 by Amy Salter, Liverpool Daily Post

RUTH MAHER was delighted when she landed a minor part in a full-length film being shot on location in London. But the Childwall actress was in for a big surprise when she was instead offered the lead female role.

Ruth impressed director Martin J Thomas so much he re-cast her in his drama movie Fight Back.

The film tells the tale of Tommy Hicks who, after years of abuse at the hands of his alcoholic father, joined the Army to escape.

Arriving home 15 years later, he finds his home town rife with crime and takes matters into his own hands.

Fight Back was first shot as a pilot in which Ruth, 23, played a barmaid – a part that didn’t even exist in the original script.

Some of the actors already cast had worked with Ruth on a previous production and sang her praises to Mr Thomas.

“Their enthusiasm obviously paid off as a part for me was written in on the back of their good comments,” said Ruth.

After being given the go-ahead to develop the project into a feature film, Mr Thomas decided Ruth was too talented to be kept in her original role, and in a tale that would give every aspiring actress goosebumps, promoted her to leading lady.

“It was really exciting,” said Ruth. “Especially because Martin is such a great director. He’s probably the most enthusiastic person I’ve ever met and really upbeat all the time, which is great when you’re working.”

It seems the film may even be the start of something bigger: “Martin’s got so many ideas for it, he’s talking about sequels, spin- offs, all sorts.”

Ruth Maher began her career doing short films and voice-over work. She trained locally at Liverpool Hope University and also did the obligatory work every thespian must suffer – as an extra, but admits it was only to get her equity card.

“I did it six times, on Hollyoaks, and it was terrible work. You have to be careful with extra work, because if you do too much and your face starts getting recognised as an extra – directors can be reluctant to cast you.” Refreshingly, the actress isn’t inspired by the native Hollywood stars, but is more interested in home-grown talent: “My favourite actor is Anthony Hopkins, he’s just incredible. Dame Judi Dench and Helen Mirren are fantastic, too. They’re all so well respected and have sustained such amazing careers. That’s what I want.”

Ruth is also a fan of local talents David Morrissey and Jason Isaacs, but shakes her head at the mention of Hollyoaks stars. It seems the extra work she did on the show was more than enough, mentioning instead that she’d preferred to have begun her career in the theatre: “I really want to do some stage work. I did some training and would have liked to have started out that way and progressed to films, but it’s happened the other way round.”

She scoffs at the suggestion that this would leave her lighter in the pocket: “I don’t care about that and anyone who’s actually in the business because they truly love acting would agree. Theatre’s so much more challenging and rewarding, it doesn’t matter how much you earn from it.”

Fight Back is being made by Goliath Productions, and filming begins in January. No release date has yet been announced.