Though Eleanor Tomlinson is the leading beauty of PBSâs Poldark series, as Ross Poldarkâs (Aidan Turner) unexpected bride Demelza, âEpisode 5â really highlighted another character who too easily gets lost behind Demelzaâs charm and radiance, and Rossâs rugged handsomeness and goodness: Rossâs cousin Verity Poldark, played by Ruby Bentall. (And yes, I did put the lead character under second billing to Demelza â sheâs that great).In the wrong hands, the character of Verity could be saccharine or little more than a plot device. But Bentall grounds Poldark with a special kind of warmth and familiarity with her character. Sheâs your favorite cousin, your childhood friend, and your incredibly kind aunt all rolled into one. She acts as a voice of reason for Ross, and as a comfort to Demelza and the rest of her family. And though sheâs often literally muted in neutral tones, walking behind the showâs leads, Poldark would feel empty without her.[caption id="attachment_491617" align="alignright" width="300"] Image via PBS[/caption]Verity is also a character who is level-headed and exceedingly kind, never using her position in society to make herself superior, and yet, always comporting herself with a genuine air of effortless gentility. Itâs not a splashy part, but itâs essential, and Bentall plays her with an incredible amount of compassion that always feels natural and knowing.Bentall, Coraline-esque, has big button eyes and a tiny mouth that sometimes seems to get lost, augmenting her uncertain and retiring roles, or parts as the friend who acts as a buffer between the leading lady and some threat. Bentall doesnât even have a picture on IMDB, and often plays characters who are overlooked, dismissed as silly, or forgotten (to sum it up perfectly, she played Mary Bennett in Lost in Austen), but she deserves much more than to just be relegated as the âplain Jane.â Supporting roles can often seem like an afterthought, but when it comes to Bentall and Verity, sheâs an integral part of the Poldark story.And thatâs one of the reasons why Poldarkâs âEpisode 5â was so moving, because Verityâs one hope of love in Captain Blamey (Richard Harrington) finally resurfaces. (Itâs also an interesting pairing for fans of Bentallâs former series Lark Rise to Candleford, where Harrington also made an appearance as a love interest ⦠for Bentallâs mistress of the house). Blamey is the only person on the series so far who instantly recognized Verity as the treasure she is.Itâs a small moment in an episode that was overall a showcase for the women of Poldark, including not just Demelza but also Elizabeth (Heida Reed). (Those three truly make the story what it is, and are the perfect complements to Ross/Aidan Turner). But because of how Bentall makes us care so much about Verity, it was also devastating. She didnât just run to Captain Blamey and seek his embrace, even though her father who opposed the marriage is gone. Instead she rebuffs him, embodying even in just a few very short scenes her inner conflict and heartache on the matter.Love and duty on Poldark are often opposites, and it can be so satisfying if they can come together. But more often, Poldark is full of heartache and complicated emotions. A viewerâs hope for Verity cannot be anything but a desire for happiness, though. Like both Elizabeth and Demelza, Verity earns a special place in Rossâ heart, as a familial confident and support. And for us, Bentall has such a natural likability onscreen that even in bit supporting parts like on Lark Rise or on The Paradise (another Masterpiece series), she steals her scenes and shines. Verity's family may not treasure her as she should be, but we can do so instead. And the same is doubly true for Bentall.Poldark airs Sunday nights at 9 p.m. on PBS. You can see previous picks for TV Performer of the Week here.[caption id="attachment_491613" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Image via PBS[/caption]
TV Performer of the Week: Ruby Bentall, POLDARK
Everyone needs a Verity in their lives.