Marcus Read

In the teaser for the first episode, Marcus was engaged to Ruby in a committed partnership. He breaks up with her after 10 years together, leaving her in tears on the pavement and experiencing emotional difficulties in the hospital. He packs the car and will come back for the rest while she is at work. He drives an old Nissan Sunny. Trying to be kind, he says he's sorry. Their house is a small mid-terraced on a generic street in Nottingham, England. He is tall and handsome with blonde hair and pale eyes [ Ep1.01].

About 3 years before the series starts, Ruby was pregnant approaching final exam time but lost their baby boy while Marcus was painting the spare room. It is unclear if this was a miscarriage or abortion. She had been trying to ignore the situation [ Ep1.03]. After a while, he begins dating again. Ruby sees a post on Facebook. He has 'cheeky drinks' with a woman named Ann Marry. She tries to move on, having told Gabriel of the prejudice encountered in a mixed-race relationship [ Ep1.04]. Ruby was only 16 years old when they started dating.

Both want to sell their house. Marcus rings to arrange signatures for the paperwork. She tells him to send the documents. They have already agreed on the sale price and the buyer wants a quick turnaround. Instead of mailing the papers, he comes to India in person, waiting in the cottage for Ruby to finish work. She is surprised and pleased to see him. [ Ep1.05].

Marcus has a silly sense of humour, joking about building an ark in the rain storm, and is good with kids. He has useful skills for example to repair the leaking roof. He also pulls faces at Ruby's young patient Vijay to entertain him while the bus pulls off before its accident. The couple intended to have a short road trip around India to try and resolve their problems. However, plans are cut short on the bus journey when the crowded service in front has overturned. As a fire-fighter, Marcus is trained in rescue and first aid. He is therefore able to help at the scene and release Vijay using a vehicle jack. The boy was trapped between crushed seats in the crash.

The British pair have a brief reunion, but Marcus won't stay on her terms and Ruby no longer loves him. Unable to reconcile, they mutually decide to part ways permanently [ Ep1.06].

Appearances: Episode 1.01, Episode 1.05 and Episode 1.06.

Mentions: Episode 1.03, Episode 1.04.

Actor: Tom Canton