NEW BBC drama series Years and Years has already been declared a hit after just one episode, and contributing to its success is Westhoughton actor Ruth Madeley.

In the Russell T. Davies series, she plays Rosie, the youngest of the siblings in the central Lyons family.

“She’s a little bit reckless and wild, which I love playing,” said Ruth, 32, who grew up in New Drake Green, Daisy Hill. “She’s free spirited but independent at the same time. She’s a daughter, granddaughter, sibling and mother as well, so it’s been fun to play all of those different roles within one character. She’s got a lot of layers to her, she was an incredible character to play.”

The role also offered a unique acting experience.

“Portraying a character over 15 years isn’t something I’ve ever had to do before so that was a challenge, but a really good one for me as an actor.”

As the Bolton News has reported, some of Years and Years was filmed in Bolton.

“It was so much fun to film in my hometown,” said Ruth. “I’ve filmed all over the place in my career but never in Bolton, so to come home and film was pretty special.”

Among her fellow cast members is Dame Emma Thompson.

“Emma is such a joy. She’s a true professional and it was incredible to have the opportunity to work with and learn from one of the greats.”

Not bad for someone who admits they fell into acting by “accident”.

“I never went to drama school and have no professional training. I always knew I wanted to be in this industry but thought I’d be a screenwriter as that what I did my degree in. But after I finished Uni, I was doing some work with the charity Whizz-Kidz and a producer I knew in London said the BBC were looking for a wheelchair user for a CBBC drama.

“I’m really nosey so decided to see what it was all about. Amazingly I got the part and started from there. I never thought it would turn into a full career but then I got the audition for BBC Three drama Don’t Take My Baby that changed everything. That was my first lead and went on to be recognised by BAFTA. And the rest is history!”

Don’t Take My Baby told the story of a disabled couple’s fight to keep their new born baby, with Ruth playing Anna joined by her partner Tom played by Adam Long, who is partially sighted.

They are forced to prove they are capable of looking after their daughter, a situation which can often occur in real life.

“Playing Anna was an opportunity and privilege to showcase some of the upsetting circumstances disabled couples face when they have a baby,” said Ruth.

It was a subject close to Ruth’s heart as she was born with spina bifida and scoliosis, and uses a wheelchair as she has trouble walking.

During a family visit to a mobility exhibition in Manchester the five-year-old Ruth found out about the charity Whizz-Kidz, which provides children with tailor-made wheelchairs, tricycles and walking frames.

It provided a £1,600 wheelchair for her, which Ruth said completely transformed her life.

“It was luminous pink. As a youngster who needs something, you want it to look as fun and amazing as possible. Something your friends will be jealous of. It meant a lot to get that chair.”

Keen to give something back, she began volunteering for the charity at the age of 15 and went on to work for it as a work placements manager. It’s a lifelong link for Ruth.

“They are like my family. I’ll support them forever,” she said.

“I think the world is starting to change for actors with disabilities but there is still a long way to go. I’m really proud to have a successful career and that I have a platform to highlight the importance of casting choices, scriptwriting and representation.”

Even before becoming famous, The Bolton News had charted Ruth’s inspirational life. In 1999 we reported that the then 12-year-old Ruth appeared on Saturday morning children’s TV show, Live and Kicking, to promote Whizz-Kidz.

In 2004 it was revealed she was the first recipient of Bolton Wanderers’ Community Hero award. The scheme recognised people from the Bolton area who triumphed over adversity or made a difference to other people’s lives.

She was nominated by her parents for her courage in enduring a string of painful operations but still managing to triumph in her GCSEs at Thornleigh Salesian College.

For 33-year-old Ruth, who still lives in Westhoughton with her boyfriend, the future looks bright.

She has joined the ranks of fellow Boltonians Maxine Peake and Matthew McNulty in being part of a new generation of exciting young actors who guarantee quality to whatever project they are attached to.

Typically of an actress whose talent is matched by her integrity, Ruth is loyal to her hometown.

“Bolton will always be my home and I love living here. My dad and I have watched Bolton Wanderers for decades so I hope we can continue to do that!”

Years and Years is on Tuesdays at 9pm on BBC One and available to watch on iPlayer’