The High-Profile Life of Ruth Ellis
The dramatic and tumultuous life of nightclub manager Ruth Ellis, who infamously shot her racing driver lover, exposes the British fascination with themes of class and sexuality. This compelling narrative reaches its climax with her public execution, which ultimately paved the way for the introduction of diminished responsibility as a legal defense in the UK, contributing to the gradual abolition of capital punishment. A new ITV drama, A Cruel Love: The Ruth Ellis Story, delves into not only the sensational trial of the 28-year-old but also the remarkable journey of the single mother who ascended to manage one of London’s most prestigious nightclubs.
Based on Carol Ann Lee’s biography, A Fine Day for Hanging: The Real Ruth Ellis Story, and adapted by Kelly Jones, this mini-series chronicles Ruth’s harrowing story from the moment she shot David Blakely to the heart-wrenching moments leading up to her execution. Antonia Gordon, one of the executive producers, shared: “We aimed to ensure that alongside the tragic elements of the story, we highlighted the incredible woman Ruth was, despite her flaws, and how she was ahead of her time. With our dual timeline approach, Kelly has beautifully captured the nuances of Ruth’s life, showcasing both the light and the dark.”
What is A Cruel Love: The Ruth Ellis Story About?
A Cruel Love: The Ruth Ellis Story narrates the hidden tale of Ruth Ellis, the last woman to be hanged for murder in the UK. Set against the glamorous backdrop of London’s club scene in 1955, Ruth achieved significant acclaim as the youngest club manager in the capital at just 28 years old. Despite her ascent from poverty, she balanced her career while raising a child as a single parent. However, her success began to unravel as she entered into a tumultuous and abusive relationship with racing driver David Blakely.
Trapped in a complicated love triangle and facing the prospect of losing everything she had fought so hard to achieve, Ruth took drastic action with devastating consequences. As her trial for murder unfolds, poignant flashbacks reveal her rise to success and the tumultuous relationships that shaped her life, culminating in a desperate eleventh-hour attempt to save her.
Who Stars in A Cruel Love: The Ruth Ellis Story?
Lucy Boynton
Lucy Boynton takes on the role of Ruth Ellis, the iconic nightclub manager. Reflecting on her character, she stated: “The case itself is shocking, but Ruth is such an intriguing character to portray. She embodies contradictions in many ways. Her vibrant personality against the backdrop of World War II and the 1950s is simply fascinating.” At 31, Boynton has made her mark in several major films, including Murder on the Orient Express, Bohemian Rhapsody, Chevalier, and Barbie. Her television credits include leading roles in Gypsy, The Politician, The Ipcress File, and Why Didn’t They Ask Evans?
Laurie Davidson
Laurie Davidson portrays racing driver David Blakely, Ruth’s lover. Discussing his character, Davidson remarked: “It’s fascinating that David belonged to the social upper class yet was drawn to Ruth. He was able to step outside his social circle and appreciate what she had to offer. However, he was a man of contradictions, and when alcohol entered the mix, it proved disastrous. Their relationship was filled with parties and the inevitable hangover that followed, leading to a toxic dynamic.” At 32, Davidson is known for his roles as William Shakespeare in the series Will, George in Guilty Party, and Dylan in The Road Trip, as well as his performance as Mr. Mistoffelees in the film adaptation of the musical Cats.
Toby Jones
Toby Jones assumes the role of solicitor John Bickford, who represents Ruth during her trial. He explained: “Bickford was the solicitor Ruth initially approached after being charged with the murder of David Blakely. His task was to find mitigating circumstances, but he found it challenging to convince her to change her plea from guilty to not guilty. He struggled to persuade her to use the domestic violence she had endured as a mitigating factor, but she was reluctant to do so until it was too late.” At 58, Jones has a rich filmography, having played campaigner Alan Bates in Mr Bates vs The Post Office and lent his voice to Dobby in the Harry Potter series. He has also starred in Infamous and The Hunger Games series, winning a BAFTA for his role in The Detectorists.
Nigel Havers
Nigel Havers portrays Justice Havers, who presides over Ruth’s murder trial. The 73-year-old British actor is known for his performances in films like Chariots of Fire, A Passage to India, Empire of the Sun, The Whistle Blower, and The Life and Death of Peter Sellers. On television, he has appeared in Nicholas Nickleby, Don’t Wait Up, The Charmer, Dangerfield, Coronation Street, and The Gentlemen.
The cast of A Cruel Love: The Ruth Ellis Story also features:
- Mark Stanley as Desmond Cussen (Trigger Point, The Reckoning)
- Toby Stephens as Melford Stevenson QC (Die Another Day, Lost in Space)
- Arthur Darvill as Victor Mishcon (Broadchurch, DC’s Legends of Tomorrow)
- Joe Armstrong as DCI Leslie Davis (Gentleman Jack, The Bay)
- Juliet Stevenson as Dr. Charity Taylor (Bend It Like Beckham, Truly, Madly, Deeply)
- Bessie Carter as Carole Findlater (Bridgerton, I Hate Suzie)
- Ed Sayer as Anthony Findlater (The Crown, Pennyworth)
- Audrey Brisson as Jacqueline Dyer (Outlander, Halo)
- Amanda Drew as Bertha (The Gold, The Outlaws)
- Jack Staddon as Clive Gunnell (Harlots, House of the Dragon)
- Adam Lawrence as DI Peter Gill (Doctors, Peaky Blinders)
- Tony Wadham as Arthur Neilson (The Bill, Peep Show)
Where Was A Cruel Love: The Ruth Ellis Story Filmed?
Filming for A Cruel Love: The Ruth Ellis Story took place on location and at the Troubadour Meridian Water Studios in Enfield, north London, during the autumn of 2023. Crews utilized the exact location where Ruth shot David Blakely, outside The Magdala Tavern at Hampstead Heath, to recreate the pivotal scene for the series. Additionally, the gateway to The Historic Dockyard Chatham in Kent served as the entrance to Holloway Prison. The former men’s prison in Dorchester, Dorset, was used for interior shots of Ruth in her cell, contributing to the authenticity of the production.
When Can You Watch A Cruel Love: The Ruth Ellis Story?
A Cruel Love: The Ruth Ellis Story is set to premiere on ITV on Wednesday, March 5th, at 9 PM. The series consists of four parts, with the remaining episodes airing weekly on successive Wednesdays at the same time. Viewers will also have the option to stream the entire series on ITVX.
