The Magdala pub, nestled in the picturesque Hampstead area of London, still bears the marks of a tragic event that unfolded in 1955 when Ruth Ellis fatally shot her lover, David Blakely, at close range. However, these so-called “bullet” holes are actually the result of a landlady’s creative embellishment in the 1990s, intended to attract curious tourists. True crime has long been a lucrative genre, captivating audiences both on-screen and in print.
A Cruel Love: The Ruth Ellis Story is a striking four-part series that endeavors to narrate the authentic story of Ruth’s tumultuous life, preceding her grim fate as the last woman executed in England. The show delicately navigates the fine line between respectful storytelling and sensationalism, as it reflects on the life of a woman who was deeply exploited by a patriarchal society, despite her attempts to assert control over her circumstances. Tragically, she was only 28 when she faced the noose. Overall, the series manages to strike a balance.
Lucy Boynton takes on the role of the titular anti-heroine, her performance infused with a steely resolve that contrasts beautifully with her glamorous appearance, characterized by platinum locks and vivid red lips as a confident club hostess. Boynton’s portrayal of Ruth is both languid and compelling, embodying the allure of a killer shaped by the true-crime genre: stunningly beautiful yet fragile. With the looks reminiscent of Marilyn Monroe and a distinct cut-glass accent, she reveals a childhood marred by abuse and a young adulthood coerced into sex work.
The depth of her performance is resolute and imbued with a quiet defiance, especially as the forces around her begin to conspire against her. Ruth appears to confront her fate head-on, seemingly unafraid of the consequences. Boynton undoubtedly shines as the central figure, with the ensemble cast orbiting around her formidable presence. This includes the ever-tender Toby Jones as her solicitor, John Bickford, and Mark Stanley as Desmond Cussen, an alcoholic admirer of Ruth who lingers at the bar, desperately seeking her attention. Stanley adeptly balances the character’s pride and despair, establishing him as a pivotal figure in the unfolding narrative.
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Kelly Jones’s script is refreshingly concise, offering a sympathetic lens towards the determined protagonist while notably glossing over her relationship with her children. Viewers are introduced to her young son, Andre, who often finds himself alone in their flat as his mother ventures out to work. On that fateful night, Ruth departs with a gun tucked into her handbag. The series refrains from presenting tender moments of a mother grappling with the duality of financial survival and nurturing her child. Instead, Ruth’s pragmatism emerges as the driving force in her life, even as she reconciles with her actions. “I chose to do what I did,” she declares matter-of-factly to Bickford while arranging for a black suit to be delivered in time for her trial.
The debut episode skillfully employs flashbacks to set the stage for a media spectacle in which the prosecution and tabloids will mercilessly exploit Ellis’s class, gender, and appearance. Director Lee Haven Jones opts for cinematic framing and low angles, subtly romanticizing the era while Ruth’s narrative remains anything but glamorous. This visual approach challenges viewers to look beyond the lush green and cream palette, the velvet draperies, the moody street lamps, and Boynton’s exquisite bone structure illuminated in half-light, confronting the brutality that lies beneath.
In a revealing interview with The Times, Ellis’s grandson, Stephen Beard, expressed hope that the ITV drama might inspire those in power to consider a posthumous pardon for his grandmother. While Jones’s performance possesses immense emotional weight, as showcased in Mr Bates vs the Post Office, it remains uncertain whether the desire or resources exist to rectify this historical injustice.
As a period piece, A Cruel Love: The Ruth Ellis Story is polished and visually captivating, but its potential as an agent of meaningful change is yet to be determined. The series continues next Wednesday at 9 PM.
