When Ruth Codd posted a quirky dance video on TikTok in early 2022, she had no idea it would launch her into the heart of Hollywood. Just 18 months later, she was starring in The Fall of the House of Usher on Netflix, filming a feature film with Universal Pictures, and preparing to appear as herself on the BBC’s high-stakes reality show The Celebrity Traitors. What makes her story extraordinary isn’t just the speed of her rise—it’s that she had zero professional acting experience before being cast.
The TikTok Breakthrough That Changed Everything
It was January 2022 when casting directors for The Midnight Club, Netflix’s eerie adaptation of Christopher Pike’s novel, stumbled upon Codd’s TikTok account. She wasn’t an aspiring actor—she was a 25-year-old from Wexford, County Wexford, Ireland, posting lighthearted clips about her dog, her love of baking, and spontaneous lip-syncs. But something about her expressive eyes and natural presence caught their attention. They reached out. She said yes. And then, within weeks, she was flown to Canada to audition for the role of Anya, one of the seven terminally ill teens trapped in a haunted mansion.
She didn’t know how to read a script. Had never taken an acting class. Didn’t own a headshot. But she showed up, nervous but genuine, and nailed it. The casting team later admitted they’d never seen someone with no training deliver such raw emotional depth on first try. Within days of filming, she deleted her TikTok account—no longer needing it, but also wanting to leave her old life behind.
From Midnight Club to Usher’s Haunted Mansion
The Midnight Club premiered in October 2022. Critics praised Codd’s performance, noting how she brought quiet dignity to Anya, a character battling a rare neurological condition. The show earned a 6.5 on IMDb, but Codd’s acting stood out even among seasoned co-stars. By then, she was already being considered for bigger roles.
By summer 2023, she was cast as Juno Usher in The Fall of the House of Usher, Mike Flanagan’s gothic horror epic based on Edgar Allan Poe. This wasn’t a supporting role—it was the emotional core of the entire 8-episode miniseries. Her portrayal of the rebellious, grief-stricken daughter of a corrupt billionaire family earned her comparisons to a young Cate Blanchett. The series scored a 7.9 on IMDb, becoming one of Netflix’s most talked-about releases of the year.
That same year, she showed range with a chilling turn as Cassandra in Creepshow’s "Twenty Minutes with Cassandra," a standalone episode that left viewers shaken. It was clear: this wasn’t luck. This was talent, amplified by timing and fearless authenticity.
Reality TV? Yes. And It Makes Perfect Sense
So why did she go on Celeb Cooking School in January 2024? The answer is simple: she wanted to. Codd has never been one to follow a script, even when it comes to her own career. She entered the BBC cooking competition not for publicity, but because she loves food—and she wanted to prove she could master something completely new. She finished third, earning praise for her creativity and calm under pressure. "I’m not afraid to fail," she told Irish Times afterward. "I just want to try things. If I don’t know how to do it, I’ll learn."
That same month, she landed a recurring role as Bibi in the Irish comedy-drama The Dry, a subtle, character-driven series that reminded audiences she could also do quiet, nuanced work. It was a counterbalance to the intensity of her horror roles.
2025: A Full Plate—and a Feature Film Debut
Her 2025 slate is staggering. She’ll star as Phlegma in How to Train Your Dragon, a live-action fantasy reboot that marks her first feature film. She’ll play Garda Róisín Doherty in Irish Blood, a gritty crime drama filmed entirely in County Wexford. She’ll appear as Production Peggy in Small Town, Big Story, a mockumentary-style series about local journalism.
And then there’s The Celebrity Traitors. The BBC’s new reality show, modeled after the Dutch hit De Verraders, pits celebrities against each other in psychological games where one or more are "traitors" secretly sabotaging missions. Codd will be one of the contestants—and the only one with no reality TV background. Her casting suggests producers see her as someone unpredictable, emotionally intelligent, and capable of reading people. In other words: the perfect player.
Why Her Story Matters
Ruth Codd’s path defies every Hollywood rule. No drama school. No agent. No indie film credits. No theater background. Just a phone, a camera, and an uncanny ability to be herself on screen. She represents a seismic shift in how talent is discovered—not through casting calls, but through algorithms and authenticity. Her success proves that raw emotional truth still trumps polished technique.
It also raises questions: Are studios now looking less at résumés and more at social media presence? Are traditional acting pathways becoming obsolete? And what does it mean for aspiring actors who don’t fit the mold? Codd didn’t wait for permission. She didn’t audition for roles she didn’t feel connected to. She simply showed up—and the industry followed.
What’s Next for Ruth Codd?
She’s already filming Grown Ups, a single-episode comedy for an Irish streaming platform, and wrapping post-production on two other projects: Carrie (a TV adaptation) and You'll Never Believe Who's Dead, a dark comedy about a funeral gone wrong. She’s also reportedly in talks for a lead role in an Irish-language film set in the Aran Islands.
At 28, Codd is just getting started. And if her past is any indication, she’ll do it on her own terms.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Ruth Codd land her first acting role without any experience?
Codd was discovered by the casting team of The Midnight Club after they saw her TikTok videos. She had no formal training, but her natural expressiveness and emotional honesty stood out during a spontaneous Zoom audition. The producers later said they’d never seen someone with zero experience convey such depth so effortlessly.
Why did she delete her TikTok after being cast?
Codd deleted her account to create distance between her old life and her new career. She didn’t want her past videos to influence how audiences perceived her acting. She also felt uncomfortable with the attention and preferred to let her work speak for itself rather than her social media persona.
Is The Celebrity Traitors her first reality show appearance?
Yes. While she appeared on Celeb Cooking School in early 2024, The Celebrity Traitors is her first reality competition series focused on strategy and deception. Her casting suggests producers believe she can navigate psychological games with authenticity—a trait that sets her apart from typical reality stars.
What makes her role in The Fall of the House of Usher so significant?
As Juno Usher, Codd carried the emotional weight of the entire miniseries, portraying a daughter torn between loyalty and rebellion. Her performance was central to the show’s critical success, with reviewers noting her ability to convey trauma without melodrama. It was her first lead role—and she carried it against industry veterans like Bruce Greenwood and Carla Gugino.
Has she ever spoken about her lack of formal training?
In a 2023 interview with Screen International, Codd said her lack of training was "a gift." She admitted she didn’t know the rules, so she didn’t break them—she just followed her instincts. "I didn’t have any preconceptions about how to act," she said. "I just tried to feel what the character felt. That’s all I knew how to do."
What’s the biggest challenge she faces now?
Balancing her skyrocketing schedule with personal well-being. With five projects in various stages of production by mid-2025, she’s juggling intense filming schedules across Ireland, Canada, and the U.S. She’s spoken about the pressure to maintain her authenticity while being constantly "on"—a challenge few newcomers face so early in their careers.