Jenny Tomasin (22 March 1938[1][2] – 3 January 2012) was a British actress, known for her role as kitchen maid Ruby Finch in the LWT period drama series Upstairs, Downstairs, which she played from 1972 to 1975.[3]
Tomasin was born in Leeds, West Riding of Yorkshire,[1] in 1938 to working class parents. She knew from an early age she wanted to be an actress, although her parents did not support her goal.[3]
Tomasin's first screen role was in 1972 in The Adventures of Barry McKenzie, as the character Sarah Gort.[4] Her first major role came when she was discovered by Upstairs, Downstairs producer John Hawkesworth, who noticed Tomasin's photograph in a casting directory.[3] Soon after, Tomasin joined the cast of Upstairs, Downstairs as Ruby Finch, the kitchen maid to the Bellamy family.[5]
Tomasin appeared in the series from 1972, until it came to an end in 1975. She appeared in 41 episodes. Plans were made for a spin-off series featuring Ruby and fellow Upstairs, Downstairs characters Hudson and Mrs Bridges; however, the series was never made because of the death of actress Angela Baddeley. Although her career on Upstairs, Downstairs had made Tomasin a household name, she also felt that the role left her typecast.[6][7]
In 1985, Tomasin guest starred in the Doctor Who serial Revelation of the Daleks, the final story before the series went on an 18-month hiatus, as the character Tasambeker.[8] Tomasin also played two roles in the soap opera Emmerdale. In 1981–1982 she played Naomi Tolly, daughter of Enoch Tolly, who was killed in a tractor accident. Her second role was as Noreen Bell, a cantankerous villager who died in July 2006. This would be her last role.
Her other films included roles in Mister Quilp (1975), The Trouble with Spies (1987) and Just Ask for Diamond (1988).
Tomasin died on 3 January 2012, aged 73, from hypertensive heart disease.[3]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | The Adventures of Barry McKenzie | Sarah Gort | |
| 1975 | Eskimo Nell | Shy Casting Girl | |
| Mister Quilp | Mrs Simmons | ||
| 1987 | The Trouble with Spies | Martha | |
| 1988 | Just Ask for Diamond | Traffic Warden |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972–1975 | Upstairs, Downstairs | Ruby Finch | |
| 1974–1979 | Crossroads | Florence Baker | |
| 1975 | The Love School | Jane's Sister | Episode: "Remember Me" |
| 1976 | Brensham People | Pru | Episode: "William Hart, Wainwright" |
| 1977 | The Onedin Line | Mrs Purvis | Episode: "The Hostage" |
| Midnight Is a Place | Rose Sproggs | 4 Episodes | |
| 1980–1981 | Emmerdale Farm | Naomi Tolly | |
| 1982 | Man and Superman | Parlourmaid | Television film |
| 1984 | Tripper's Day | Minnie | Episode: "Games People Play" |
| 1985 | That's My Boy | Brenda Cross | Episode: "Hello Young Mothers" |
| Doctor Who | Tasambeker | Episodes: "Revelation of the Daleks: Parts 1 and 2" | |
| 1994 | Martin Chuzzlewit | Maidservant | 2 episodes |
| 2000 | Cinderella | Cook | Television film |
| 2005-2006 | Emmerdale | Noreen Bell | Recurring role |
| Year | Title | Role | Venue | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Hush and Hide | UK National Tour | [9] | |
| 1978–1979 | See How They Run | Ida | Greenwich Theatre | [9] |
| 1979 | Ten Times Table | Philippa | UK National Tour | [9] |
| 1982 | Man and Superman | Parlourmaid | Theatre Royal Haymarket | [10] |
| 1988–1989 | Blithe Spirit | Edith | UK National Tour | [9] |
| 1991 | Lettice and Lovage | Miss Framer | [9] | |
| 2004 | The Marquise | Alice | [11] |
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Other | |
