# Jenny Tomasin

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British actress (1938–2012)

Jenny Tomasin Tomasin as Ruby Finch in Upstairs, Downstairs Born 22 March 1938 Leeds, West Riding of Yorkshire, England Died 3 January 2012(2012-01-03) (aged 73) London, England Occupation Actress Years active 1972–2006 Known for Role of Ruby Finch in Upstairs, Downstairs (1972–1975)

**Jenny Tomasin** (22 March 1938[1][2] – 3 January 2012) was a British actress, known for her role as kitchen maid [Ruby Finch](/source/List_of_Upstairs%2C_Downstairs_(1971_TV_series)_characters#Ruby_Finch) in the [LWT](/source/London_Weekend_Television) period drama series *[Upstairs, Downstairs](/source/Upstairs%2C_Downstairs_(1971_TV_series))*, which she played from 1972 to 1975.[3]

## Early life

Tomasin was born in [Leeds](/source/Leeds), [West Riding of Yorkshire](/source/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]

## Career

Tomasin's first screen role was in 1972 in *[The Adventures of Barry McKenzie](/source/The_Adventures_of_Barry_McKenzie)*, as the character Sarah Gort.[4] Her first major role came when she was discovered by *[Upstairs, Downstairs](/source/Upstairs%2C_Downstairs_(1971_TV_series))* producer [John Hawkesworth](/source/John_Hawkesworth_(producer)), who noticed Tomasin's photograph in a casting directory.[3] Soon after, Tomasin joined the cast of *Upstairs, Downstairs* as [Ruby Finch](/source/List_of_Upstairs%2C_Downstairs_(1971_TV_series)_characters#Ruby_Finch), the [kitchen maid](/source/Maid#Types_of_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](/source/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](/source/Doctor_Who)* serial *[Revelation of the Daleks](/source/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](/source/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](/source/Mister_Quilp)* (1975), *[The Trouble with Spies](/source/The_Trouble_with_Spies)* (1987) and *[Just Ask for Diamond](/source/Just_Ask_for_Diamond)* (1988).

## Death

Tomasin died on 3 January 2012, aged 73, from [hypertensive heart disease](/source/Hypertensive_heart_disease).[3]

## Filmography

### Film

Year Title Role Notes 1972 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

### Television

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 The Dick Emery Show Actress Episode: 14.5 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 1983 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

## Stage

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] 1982-1983 Man and Superman Parlourmaid Theatre Royal Haymarket [10][11] 1988–1989 Blithe Spirit Edith UK National Tour [9] 1991 Lettice and Lovage Miss Framer [9] 2004 The Marquise Alice [12]

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-stage1_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-stage1_1-1) ["Jenny Tomasin: Actress best known for 'Upstairs, Downstairs'"](https://www.thestage.co.uk/obituaries--archive/obituaries/jenny-tomasin). The Stage. February 2012. Retrieved 6 March 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** Some sources ([\[1\]](http://www.doctorwhonews.net/2012/01/dwn190112145112-jenny-tomasin-1936-2012.html), [\[2\]](http://tvhforum.proboards.com/thread/2787/jenny-tomasin-upstairs-downstairs)) cite 30 November 1936.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Death_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Death_3-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Death_3-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-Death_3-3) Bernstein, Adam. ["Jenny Tomasin, known as maid Ruby Finch on 'Upstairs, Downstairs', dies"](https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/television/jenny-tomasin-known-as-maid-ruby-finch-on-upstairs-downstairs-dies/2012/01/20/gIQAeUwKnQ_story.html). *The Washington Post*. [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [0190-8286](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0190-8286). Retrieved 6 March 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["The Adventures of Barry McKenzie (1972)"](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0068173/fullcredits). *IMDb*. Retrieved 9 November 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["Upstairs Downstairs-Series 2-Episode 1-Part 1(The New Man)"](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=96VwAJR8pyY). YouTube. Retrieved 6 March 2015.[*[dead YouTube link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Link_rot)*]

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["Jenny Tomasin: Actress best known for 'Upstairs, Downstairs'"](https://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/jenny-tomasin-actress-best-known-for-upstairs-downstairs-6295426.html). *The Independent*. 26 January 2012. Retrieved 9 November 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** Spencer, Helen (4 August 2002). ["After Upstairs Downstairs"](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0328816/) (Documentary). Tyne Tees Television. Retrieved 9 November 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["Doctor Who Classic Episode Guide – Revelation of the Daleks – Details"](https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006q2x0). BBC. Retrieved 6 March 2015.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Theatricalia_9-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Theatricalia_9-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Theatricalia_9-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-Theatricalia_9-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-Theatricalia_9-4) ["Jenny Tomasin - Theatricalia"](https://theatricalia.com/person/15nk/jenny-tomasin). Retrieved 6 August 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Man_and_Superman_10-0)** ["Theatre programme advertising a play to be produced at the Theatre Royal, Haymarket entitled MAN AND SUPERMAN"](https://archive.kent.ac.uk/Record.aspx?src=CalmView.Catalog&id=READ%2FPRG%2FTHE%2FHAY%2FF174420). [University of Kent](/source/University_of_Kent). Retrieved 10 August 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Man_and_Superman_2_11-0)** ["Man and Superman"](https://theatricalia.com/play/aq/man-and-superman/production/10an). Theatricalia. Retrieved 10 February 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Marquise_12-0)** McIlwaine, Eddie (22 March 2004). ["Kate's back dressed for the grand occasion"](https://m.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/kates-back-dressed-for-the-grand-occasion/28198162.html). *[Belfast Telegraph](/source/Belfast_Telegraph)*. Retrieved 9 August 2025.

## External links

- [Jenny Tomasin](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0866459/) at [IMDb](/source/IMDb_(identifier))

- [Jenny Tomasin; Aveleyman](http://www.aveleyman.com/ActorCredit.aspx?ActorID=23519) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20170916024217/http://www.aveleyman.com/ActorCredit.aspx?ActorID=23519) 16 September 2017 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine)

Authority control databases International ISNI VIAF WorldCat National United States Other Yale LUX

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Jenny Tomasin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jenny_Tomasin) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jenny_Tomasin?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.