Ruby Barker's Bridgerton Exit: Mental Health & Marina's Fate

0:00Reporting from The Daily News Now, I'm Corey, with the latest in Durham, Ruby Barker, the 29-year-old actress who played Marina Thompson in the first two seasons of Bridgerton, has stepped away from the Netflix hit. She joined the Regency drama when season 1 premiered back in 2022 and returned for season 2, but mental health challenges kept her from continuing. Around the time season 1 dropped, Barker was dealing with a tough hospital stay and bipolar disorder. Her life flipped overnight with rising fame and social media buzz, but she felt zero support while pushing through work commitments. She opened up about panic attacks, just thinking about the gym and the mental toll of weight gain after 8 months of treatment. Barker shared how it sparked constant self-comparison and noise in her head, turning daily life into a real struggle. Showrunner Jess Brownell noted that Marina's storyline with Colin wrapped up, leaving it unclear if Barker will pop up again. In the original Julia Quinn books, Marina meets a tragic end with a fever after a suicide attempt, paving the way for Eloise and Philip Crane's romance.

1:05On a brighter note, Barker is making positive changes, like going four days without vaping to boost her cardio. She's taking it one step at a time while focusing on recovery. Quick thanks to today's sponsor. See the description for more. Your pillow, your podcast, your moment, made for listening and bed.