Ruth Ellingham is a fictional character portrayed by Eileen Atkins in the TV series Doc Martin.
In the first episode they appeared in, titled Dry Your Tears (season 5), they were 77 years old.
They appear in 46 episodes out of a total of 79 aired and have accumulated 154 positive votes.
The character of Ruth Ellingham is mainly associated with Louisa Glasson, Dr. Martin Ellingham and Bert Large.
Episodes46
Dry Your Tears
episode S5.E2 september 2011The GP returns to his former post at the surgery after the departure of Dr Dibbs, agreeing to stay until a replacement is found.
Born with a Shotgun
episode S5.E3 september 2011New receptionist Morwenna Newcross gets off to a bad start after arriving late on her first day, and her hyperactive behaviour leads Martin to believe she is high on drugs.
Mother Knows Best
episode S5.E4 october 2011Louisa's hippie mother Eleanor arrives in the village, immediately taking over Martin's kitchen to prepare a herbal tonic, which she later gives to the baby to stop his crying.
Remember Me
episode S5.E5 october 2011PC Penhale is shocked by the unexpected arrival of his ex-wife Maggie, who appears to have forgotten that they separated years ago and wants to know why he left her.
Don't Let Go
episode S5.E6 october 2011Maggie gets the all-clear from the doctor and decides she will return to Bude, forcing PC Penhale to take desperate measures to persuade her to stay in Portwenn.
Cats and Sharks
episode S5.E7 october 2011Bert Large's restaurant business is in financial trouble. He can't even afford the food and drink for a charity event to raise money for Florence Dingle's cat sanctuary.
Ever After
episode S5.E8 october 2011Mrs Tishell decides she can no longer hide her love for Martin and, fuelled by a cocktail of drugs, takes drastic action.
Sickness and Health
episode S6.E1 october 2013Wedding bells are ringing for the Doc and Louisa. But will the marriage finally go ahead?
Guess Who's Coming to Dinner
episode S6.E2 october 2013It is Louisa's first day back at school and their new child minder, Mel, is late for work. When Mel finally does arrive Martin is dubious about handing James over to this woman who is constantly scratching.
The Tameness of a Wolf
episode S6.E3 october 2013A stranger stops dead in his tracks when he sees Ruth in the village, and later he spies on her when she is having a coffee with Caroline. Ruth is not sure why, but she starts feeling uneasy.
Nobody Likes Me
episode S6.E4 october 2013Louisa wants Martin to engage more with James, so she arranges for him to take their baby to playgroup, where he has to pair up with a mother and daughter and sing songs.
The Practice Around the Corner
episode S6.E5 november 2013Mrs Tishell returns to the village. Martin has to work out what is wrong with beach comber Lorna. Al and Morwenna have an internet dating disaster, and romance is blossoming for Bert and Jennifer.
Hazardous Exposure
episode S6.E6 november 2013Hypochondriac Malcolm Rayner is struggling with his breathing and Martin asks him if he has ever worked with asbestos.
Listen with Mother
episode S6.E7 november 2013Al receives a visit from two military policemen who are trying to track down Baby James's babysitter, Mike Pruddy.
Departure
episode S6.E8 november 2013Louisa is leaving for Spain, Bert and Jennifer's engagement party goes off with a bang, and Al is hailed as a hero for saving Caroline's life.
Rescue Me
episode S7.E1 september 2015Louisa has gone for a break to visit her mother in Spain and to have some time to think. Martin is faced with the questions: will Louisa come back to him; and what can he do to make sure that she does?
The Shock of the New
episode S7.E2 september 2015Louisa's return further raises questions about their relationship, perhaps they need to spend more time apart.
It's Good to Talk
episode S7.E3 september 2015Following another disaster at his restaurant Bert takes drastic action and disappears, leading Al to contact P.C. Penhale, though he is more interested in courting Louisa's baby-sitter Janice.
Education, Education, Education
episode S7.E4 september 2015What starts Martin and Louisa to reconcile is how Martin handles a problem with Peter Cronk at Louisa's request.
Control-Alt-Delete
episode S7.E5 october 2015Reaching breaking point with being followed around by Buddy, Martin resolves to find a vet to have the dog put down once and for all.
Other People's Children
episode S7.E6 october 2015Louisa helps out her ex-boyfriend Danny when he brings seven children from London to camp on Ruth's farm - supervised by Al and Bert - while she and Martin plan a date on the advice of Dr Timoney.
Facta Non Verba
episode S7.E7 october 2015Louisa is not best pleased when her new art teacher Erica wants to try out some rather alternative ideas on the children, while Dr Timoney is involved in a car accident outside the school.
The Doctor Is Out
episode S7.E8 november 2015Louisa worries Dr Timoney's suggestion that she and Martin aren't meant to be together might have prompted him to leave Portwenn for good.
Mysterious Ways
episode S8.E1 september 2017Martin and Louisa face the challenge of living happily together with their baby James Henry after having therapy to save their marriage. Meanwhile wedding bells ring for PC Penhale.
Sons and Lovers
episode S8.E2 september 2017Martin and Louisa search for a nursery for James and Mrs Tishell is shocked to find that Al has high blood pressure. Louisa explores possibilities of a career change, not welcome news for Martin who dislikes change of any kind.
Farewell My Lovely
episode S8.E3 october 2017Louisa takes her students sailing so Martin is left holding the baby. He's always late collecting James from nursery due to long surgery hours. Meanwhile, Al and Morwenna organise an event to save the pub.
Faith
episode S8.E4 october 2017Louisa's first Skype call for her new course doesn't go as planned when Martin decides to tell the lecturer his thoughts on the coursework. Morwenna's parents surprise her with a visit from Kenya.
From the Mouths of Babies
episode S8.E5 october 2017With James teething, Martin and Louisa are desperate for more sleep. In an unusual display of mourning, Mrs. Tishell closes the pharmacy, inconveniencing everyone. Al needs Bert's help to get the whisky business back on track.
Accidental Hero
episode S8.E6 october 2017Penhale decides to have a police open house to raise community awareness, but the turnout is not what he hoped for. James goes through a biting phase, and Morwenna leaves the surgery for a weekend away with Al.
Blade on the Feather
episode S8.E7 november 2017Al and Morwenna participate in the annual gig race against another town. Louisa buys a new car, and Martin's blood phobia causes a disaster with a patient.
All My Trials
episode S8.E8 november 2017Martin stops practicing the week before his hearing, but patients continue to solicit his advice. An American tourist asks Mrs. Tishell for help, and Penhale commissions a bust of himself.
To the Lighthouse
episode S9.E1 september 2019Martin's medical career remains under scrutiny, as a GMC representative has come to assess him and his surgery. Meanwhile, Al accidentally proposes to Morwenna, and Mrs Tishell has a new lease on life.
The Shock of the New
episode S9.E2 october 2019Martin is forced to do some refresher courses, while Louisa begins a new career.
SWALK
episode S9.E3 october 2019Louisa organises a special evening for Martin's birthday, but it doesn't go to plan because of Al's surprise party.
Paint It Black
episode S9.E4 october 2019Martin has his second GMC assessment, and Buddy goes missing. Elsewhere, Penhale is upset when his predecessor, Mark Mylow, arrives and tries to take charge
Wild West Country
episode S9.E5 october 2019Someone's been shot. Penhale is keen to work out who is responsible.
Equilibrium
episode S9.E6 october 2019Martin and Louisa have their first fertility appointment, while Penhale responds to a case of vandalism and gets a free surfing lesson.
Single White Bevy
episode S9.E7 november 2019Mrs Tishell's young cousin Sarah Cardy shadows her for some work experience.
Licence to Practice
episode S9.E8 november 2019Wedding bells are ringing in Portwenn with the preparations for Morwenna and Al's wedding. But some last minute hitches threaten to jeopardize their big day.
I Will Survive
episode S10.E1 october 2022Martin questions his decision to resign and returns to Portwenn, determined to overcome his blood phobia.
Everlasting Love
episode S10.E4 october 2023Martin rubs up against the new herbalist and Penhale, Louisa, and James are all interested in Janice's new pedicure fish. Ruth is back from Mexico with more than maracas.
Fly Me to the Moon
episode S10.E5 november 2022To say Louisa Ellingham is stunned to find her estranged father in her kitchen making a cup of tea is an understatement. The child counsellor hasn't seen dad in years and, given his dodgy past, she's worried about his return to Portwenn.
Return to Sender
episode S10.E6 november 2022Doc Martin's relationship with Louisa has had its ups and downs over the years, and the married couple are tested as never before when his ex Sophie Trent makes a move.
Love Will Set You Free
episode S10.E7 november 2022The news of Martin's Imperial College job offer is flying through the village, but the Ellinghams are yet to make a decision - meanwhile, Caitlin blames Bert for the pub flood.
Our Last Summer
episode S10.E8 november 2022The village are throwing the Ellinghams a farewell party - Ruth is helping Mrs Tishell deal with the news, but it seems that Martin and Louisa aren't going to make it to the party.
Last Christmas in Portwenn
episode S10.E9 december 2022Portwenn is full of festive cheer - until Doc Martin cancels the Santa, prompting his portrayer to show "Doc the Grinch" the magic of Christmas, with unintended consequences.
- Dry Your Tears
- Born with a Shotgun
- Mother Knows Best
- Remember Me
- Don't Let Go
- Cats and Sharks
- Ever After
- Sickness and Health
- Guess Who's Coming to Dinner
- The Tameness of a Wolf
- Nobody Likes Me
- The Practice Around the Corner
- Hazardous Exposure
- Listen with Mother
- Departure
- Rescue Me
- The Shock of the New
- It's Good to Talk
- Education, Education, Education
- Control-Alt-Delete
- Other People's Children
- Facta Non Verba
- The Doctor Is Out
- Mysterious Ways
- Sons and Lovers
- Farewell My Lovely
- Faith
- From the Mouths of Babies
- Accidental Hero
- Blade on the Feather
- All My Trials
- To the Lighthouse
- The Shock of the New
- SWALK
- Paint It Black
- Wild West Country
- Equilibrium
- Single White Bevy
- Licence to Practice
- I Will Survive
- Everlasting Love
- Fly Me to the Moon
- Return to Sender
- Love Will Set You Free
- Our Last Summer
- Last Christmas in Portwenn
Best moments10
- Louisa organises a special evening for Martin's birthday, but it doesn't go to plan because of Al's surprise party.
- A stranger stops dead in his tracks when he sees Ruth in the village, and later he spies on her when she is having a coffee with Caroline. Ruth is not sure why, but she starts feeling uneasy.
- New receptionist Morwenna Newcross gets off to a bad start after arriving late on her first day, and her hyperactive behaviour leads Martin to believe she is high on drugs.
- To say Louisa Ellingham is stunned to find her estranged father in her kitchen making a cup of tea is an understatement. The child counsellor hasn't seen dad in years and, given his dodgy past, she's worried about his return to Portwenn.
- Martin and Louisa search for a nursery for James and Mrs Tishell is shocked to find that Al has high blood pressure. Louisa explores possibilities of a career change, not welcome news for Martin who dislikes change of any kind.
- Hypochondriac Malcolm Rayner is struggling with his breathing and Martin asks him if he has ever worked with asbestos.
- Louisa wants Martin to engage more with James, so she arranges for him to take their baby to playgroup, where he has to pair up with a mother and daughter and sing songs.
- Louisa is leaving for Spain, Bert and Jennifer's engagement party goes off with a bang, and Al is hailed as a hero for saving Caroline's life.
- The GP returns to his former post at the surgery after the departure of Dr Dibbs, agreeing to stay until a replacement is found.
- Martin questions his decision to resign and returns to Portwenn, determined to overcome his blood phobia.
- SWALK
- The Tameness of a Wolf
- Born with a Shotgun
- Fly Me to the Moon
- Sons and Lovers
- Hazardous Exposure
- Nobody Likes Me
- Departure
- Dry Your Tears
- I Will Survive