ITV Unveils Exclusive First-Look Image Of Lucy Boynton As Ruth Ellis, The Last Woman Hanged In Britain

Max Goldbart
·2 min read

EXCLUSIVE: ITV’s drama about Ruth Ellis, the last woman hanged in Britain, is gathering pace and we have an exclusive first-look image of Lucy Boynton in the title role. Scroll down to view it.

The series, which has changed title to A Cruel Love: The Ruth Ellis Story, is set in 1955 in the glamorous and intoxicating world of London club-land. Ellis was the capital’s youngest club manager but her success soon unraveled as she became entwined in an abusive relationship with racing driver David Blakely. On trial for his murder, she was condemned to hang by a system which judged her for far more than her crime, and she became the last woman to be hanged in Britain.

More from Deadline

Deadline revealed the series led by Bohemian Rhapsody star Boynton last year and we subsequently broke the news that Toby Jones, whose career has been handed fresh impetus by his star turn in ITV’s Mr Bates vs the Post Office, would play the solicitor who tried to save Ellis. A Cruel Love, which is based on Carol Ann Lee’s biography A Fine Day For Hanging: The Real Ruth Ellis Story, will also star Laurie Davidson (Mary and George), Mark Stanley (Happy Valley), Joe Armstrong (Happy Valley), Arthur Darvill (Broadchurch), Juliet Stevenson (Truly, Madly, Deeply) and Toby Stephens.

“Lucy Boynton is absolutely mesmerizing as Ruth Ellis at the height of her success as London’s youngest club manager,” said Kate Bartlett, EP for A Cruel Love indie Silverprint Pictures. “Aged 28, her ascendancy was brought to a sharp halt when she became enmeshed in an intoxicating love triangle which brought death and tragedy.”

A Cruel Love Story will be shopped by ITV Studios at next week’s London TV Screenings.

The show was commissioned by ITV’s Head of Drama Polly Hill and Drama Commissioner, Huw Kennair Jones. Bartlett (Shetland, Vera, Flesh and Blood, The Long Call) executive produces alongside Antonia Gordon, Development Director for Silverprint. Kelly Jones has written all four scripts and Angie Daniell (World On Fire, Vigil, The Long Call) produces. Lee Haven Jones (Passenger, Feast, The Long Call) directs all four episodes.

A Cruel Love: The Ruth Ellis Story. Image: ITV/ Des Willie
A Cruel Love: The Ruth Ellis Story. Image: ITV/ Des Willie

Best of Deadline

Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.