A Cruel Love: The Ruth Ellis Story
Lucy Boynton plays the last woman to be hanged in Britain
Powerful upcoming drama
A Cruel Love: The Ruth Ellis
Story will explore the tragic events surrounding one of the 20th century’s mostcontroversial executions.
The four-part ITV1 series, penned by Kelly Jones and based on Carol Ann Lee’s biography
A Fine Day for a Hanging: The Real Ruth Ellis Story, stars Lucy Boynton as nightclub manager Ellis, who lives a heady and flamboyant existence in 1950s London. But fate brings her into the path of racing driver David Blakely (Laurie Davidson) and they embark on a dark and abusive relationship, which culminates with Ellis shooting Blakely dead.
The drama then follows her trial, which sees her found guilty of murder and sentenced to hang. An ultimately unsuccessful legal fight to save her from the gallows ensues, as her solicitor John Bickford (The Long Shadow’s Toby Jones) attempts to unravel the torment she suffered.
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Mark Stanley co-stars as Desmond Cussen, one of the regulars at Ellis’ club, who is in love with her, while Joe Armstrong is DCI Davies, who investigates the case, Arthur Darvill is Victor Mishcon, Ellis’ divorce lawyer, who strives to secure a reprieve, Toby Stephens is her defence barrister Melford Stevenson and Juliet Stevenson is Dr Charity Taylor, the governess of Holloway Prison.
‘Ruth Ellis’ story is fascinating. Both she and this complex case have always evoked a strong reaction,’ says Boynton. ‘And with Kelly’s insightful scripts,
I’m looking forward to bringing a new perspective to both familiar audiences as well as those who are unaware of her mark on British history.’