Grace Archer Grace Archer Grace Archer (née Fairbrother) (April 2, 1930 – September 22, 1955) is a fictional character from the BBC's long-running radio soap, "The Archers". She was one of the original characters and was played by Monica Gray and then Ysanne Churchman. The episode depicting her death was broadcast by the BBC on the evening of the launch of ITV, so as to distract from it. Grace is the daughter of a wealthy English family. She falls in love with Phil Archer (Norman Painting), the son of a farmer, and they are married in April 1955. A few months later,
Ruth Archer Ruth Archer Ruth Archer (also Pritchard) is a fictional character from the British BBC Radio 4 soap opera "The Archers", played by English actress Felicity Finch. She made her debut in the 15 July 1987 episode. The character was created and introduced to "The Archers" as a love interest for established character David Archer (Timothy Bentinck), whose then girlfriend was deemed unsuitable for the role of mother to the next generation of the Archer family by the editor of the show Liz Rigbey. Finch was cast as Ruth after a successful audition. Ruth is portrayed as being strong-willed, determined and