The new ITV period drama finally telling the story of Ruth Ellis
From Miss Austen to Riot Women and more, there's some great telly coming to screens this year – and now, there's another show to add to your watch list as A Cruel Love: The Ruth Ellis Story is almost here.
Starring Lucy Boynton as the historic titular character, the ITV series will follow the true story of the nightclub manageress and last woman to be executed in the United Kingdom following the fatal shooting of her lover, David Blakely.
The period drama is set to grip audiences with its heartbreaking real-life inspiration, so from the cast to release date and more, here is everything you need to know about A Cruel Love: The Ruth Ellis Story.
A Cruel Love: The Ruth Ellis Story: Release date
Mark your calendars, because the four-part A Cruel Love: The Ruth Ellis Story comes to ITV and ITVX on Monday 17 February.
A Cruel Love: The Ruth Ellis Story: Plot
Based on Carol Ann Lee's acclaimed biography, A Fine Day for Hanging: The Real Ruth Ellis Story, and adapted for the screen by Kelly Jones, the official plot for the drama is as follows: "A Cruel Love: The Ruth Ellis Story tells the hidden story of Ruth Ellis and exposes the timeless British obsessions of class, sex and death.
"Set in 1955 in the glamorous and intoxicating world of London club-land, Ruth found huge acclaim, aged 28, as 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, Ruth was condemned to hang by a system which judged her for far more than her crime."
A Cruel Love: The Ruth Ellis Story: Cast
Lucy Boynton takes the lead as Ruth Ellis in the period drama, with Toby Jones supporting as her solicitor John Bickford, who gradually realises the extent of Ruth's abuse at the hands of David Blakely and takes on the fight to make the case for provocation.
Laurie Davidson plays Blakeley, while Mark Stanley stars as Desmond Cusson, Ruth's admirer and sometime lover who frequents the Little Club and becomes entangled in a toxic love triangle with Ruth and Blakeley.
Other notable roles include:
Joe Armstrong as DCI Davies, the detective in charge of Ruth’s case
Arthur Darvill as Victor Mishcon, Ruth’s charismatic divorce lawyer who took up the fight for her reprieve
Juliet Stevenson as Dr Charity Taylor, Governess of Holloway Prison
Toby Stephens as Ruth’s defence barrister, Melford Stevenson QC.
Nigel Havers as Judge Havers
You Might Also Like
