Ruth Evershed
Date of Birth: 29.04.1970
First episode: Series 2, Episode 2 Last episode: Series 10, Episode 6 Job: Senior Intelligence Analyst Status: Deceased (stabbed) Portrayed by: Nicola Walker Ruth grew up in Exeter. Her father, James, was a GP who sadly died when she was 11. Her mother sent her off to boarding school and then remarried. From this marriage, Ruth gained a step-brother, Peter Haig. She studied Classics to MPhil level at Corpus Christi College, Oxford, (where she won several awards for her academic performances). She intended to continue to complete a research doctorate but became bored with it. She can speak 6 languages fluently (French, Spanish, Arabic, Persian, Ancient Greek and Latin). and is Grade 8 in piano and violin. |
Ruth is seconded to Section D from GCHQ in the second episode of series 2. It had always been her dream to work for MI5 and she was determined to be a success. When she first arrives she is actually acting as a mole for her bosses at GCHQ, passing them information about Section D's operations. But she is turned by Tom Quinn, giving her a second chance in MI5
Highly intelligent and meticulous, she provides the team with invaluable background research, drawing on an impressive range of facts. She's a little eccentric; described by her colleagues as "bonkers, but brilliant' but her enthusiasm and dedication make her an invaluable member of the team. She has a few forays into the field but these don't always go to plan.
There is a spark between her and Section Head, Harry Pearce for quite a while. When Harry finally asks her out, they go on one date before Ruth ends their relationship because of office gossip. Two episodes later she is framed for murder and is forced to leave the country and go into exile. Meeting for their final goodbye, Harry tries to declare his love for Ruth but she tells him to leave it as "something wonderful, that was never said". She and Harry share a goodbye kiss before she leaves on a barge to venture into the unknown. According to the The Personnel Files, Ruth sends Harry a postcard after her exile via a series of intermediaries. It reads:
Highly intelligent and meticulous, she provides the team with invaluable background research, drawing on an impressive range of facts. She's a little eccentric; described by her colleagues as "bonkers, but brilliant' but her enthusiasm and dedication make her an invaluable member of the team. She has a few forays into the field but these don't always go to plan.
There is a spark between her and Section Head, Harry Pearce for quite a while. When Harry finally asks her out, they go on one date before Ruth ends their relationship because of office gossip. Two episodes later she is framed for murder and is forced to leave the country and go into exile. Meeting for their final goodbye, Harry tries to declare his love for Ruth but she tells him to leave it as "something wonderful, that was never said". She and Harry share a goodbye kiss before she leaves on a barge to venture into the unknown. According to the The Personnel Files, Ruth sends Harry a postcard after her exile via a series of intermediaries. It reads:
You did the right thing. We both did the right thing. Salus populi suprema lex.
Grand tours are less fun alone. But I am well and safe. Look after yourself. I think of you often.
Quos amor versus tenuit tenebit,
Stubborn Mule
The Latin translates as: 'Let the good of the people be the supreme law' and 'True love will hold on to those whom it has held'.
Ruth returns in series 8, having settled in Cyprus with a doctor, George and his son, Nico. In the ensuing operation George is killed and Nico returns to Cyprus to live with his aunt. Not welcome by George's family, Ruth settles back in London and returns to Section D, quickly slotting back into her old role.
Her relationship with Harry begins to develop once more and in the first episode of series 9 he proposes to her. Ruth says no, not because she doesn't love him but because after everything they've been she doesn’t think they need to demonstrate their love in that way. At the end of series 9, she is kidnapped by Lucas North, and Harry trades a state secret in order to save her life.
During series 10 she leaves Section D to go and work as the some secretary's security advisor. However, she is still in contact with the team and helps them out more than she probably should. In the final ever episode she asks Harry to leave the service with her and he agrees. But tragedy strikes and Ruth is stabbed whilst protecting Harry. As she lies dying in Harry’s arms she tells him of a house she has bought in Suffolk; and how she couldn’t picture herself living there without him. He begs her to hang on, telling her that they will live there together. She tells him they “were never meant to have those things” before passing away. It is not clear exactly what the cause of death is.
Later Harry visits the house Ruth had bought in Suffolk and then visits the memorial which lists every MI5 officers name he has lost is engraved into the glass. R. Evershed is now added to that list.
Ruth returns in series 8, having settled in Cyprus with a doctor, George and his son, Nico. In the ensuing operation George is killed and Nico returns to Cyprus to live with his aunt. Not welcome by George's family, Ruth settles back in London and returns to Section D, quickly slotting back into her old role.
Her relationship with Harry begins to develop once more and in the first episode of series 9 he proposes to her. Ruth says no, not because she doesn't love him but because after everything they've been she doesn’t think they need to demonstrate their love in that way. At the end of series 9, she is kidnapped by Lucas North, and Harry trades a state secret in order to save her life.
During series 10 she leaves Section D to go and work as the some secretary's security advisor. However, she is still in contact with the team and helps them out more than she probably should. In the final ever episode she asks Harry to leave the service with her and he agrees. But tragedy strikes and Ruth is stabbed whilst protecting Harry. As she lies dying in Harry’s arms she tells him of a house she has bought in Suffolk; and how she couldn’t picture herself living there without him. He begs her to hang on, telling her that they will live there together. She tells him they “were never meant to have those things” before passing away. It is not clear exactly what the cause of death is.
Later Harry visits the house Ruth had bought in Suffolk and then visits the memorial which lists every MI5 officers name he has lost is engraved into the glass. R. Evershed is now added to that list.