Ruth Bradley has found success playing the character of Emma Flyte on the Apple TV+ spy drama “Slow Horses.” The Irish actress earned the role after a blind audition where she was impressed by the high-quality writing. Bradley has since completed filming for the show’s fifth season and will begin work on the sixth.
Bradley remembered being drawn to acting from a young age after seeing Gary Oldman in “Bram Stoker’s Dracula.” She was fascinated by how actors could completely change their appearance. Years later, Bradley feels lucky to act alongside Oldman on “Slow Horses.” She said Oldman is very kind and likes tea with biscuits, showing his down-to-earth personality on set.
In the past, Bradley’s roles often required her to transform her appearance through different hairstyles and costumes. However, her character Emma Flyte does not look very different from Bradley. This marks a change from Bradley’s usual method of becoming unrecognizable in her roles.
Early in her career, Bradley was reluctant to take Irish roles because she felt there were no trendy characters to portray. But she acknowledges times have changed, as shows like “Derry Girls” now highlight Irish talent. Bradley continues taking on challenging parts that push her boundaries, such as gaining weight for a 2009 film and filming just after having a baby.
Bradley credits “Slow Horses” showrunner Will Smith for the show’s success. As she embarks on future seasons, Bradley exemplifies the versatility and commitment of great character actors through her inspiring journey from fan of Oldman to coworker.
