A Cruel Love: The Ruth Ellis Story delves into the true story of Ruth Ellis (Lucy Boynton), the last woman to be hanged in Britain. The new ITV drama boasts a star-studded cast from popular shows like Doctor Who, Coronation Street and Happy Valley.
Ellis was arrested in 1955 for the murder of her lover David Blakely after enduring a tumultuous relationship. The series, inspired by Carol Ann Lee's book A Fine Day For A Hanging, will shed light on the emotional and physical abuse Ellis suffered at Blakely's hands.
The four-part series, airing on ITV1 at 9pm on Wednesday (March 5), will also examine the public outrage over her execution, which played a crucial role in the abolition of the death penalty. The drama features a host of British TV and film stars who bring this real-life story back to life.
Lucy Boynton as Ruth Ellis
Lucy Boynton portrays Ruth Ellis, a glamorous nightclub manageress in London and a hardworking single mother, who became the last woman to hang in the UK at just 28. Boynton's previous roles include Allison Adams in Gypsy, Astrid Sloan in The Politician, Jean Courtney in The Ipcress File, and appearances in Let Me Go, Murder on the Orient Express, Bohemian Rhapsody, The Pale Blue Eye and Barbie.
Toby Jones as John Bickford
Toby Jones plays John Bickford, Ellis's solicitor during her murder trial.
Thanks to roles in Mr Bates Vs The Post Office, Detectorists, Long Shadow, The Witness for the Prosecution and Veloc, has become a solid fixture of British TV. He has also starred in films such as Infamous, The Hunger Games, Captain America, Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, and Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny.
Laurie Davidson as David Blakely
Laurie Davidson portrays David Blakely, a rising star in motorsport who fell head over heels for Ruth Ellis, but their relationship turned violent before she fatally shot him. The English actor has previously appeared in Vampire Academy, Cats, The Road Trip, Mary and George and Netflix's hit, The Sandman.
Mark Stanley as Desmond Cussen
Mark Stanley plays Desmond Cussen, Ruth's devoted admirer and occasional lover, who becomes entangled in Ruth's toxic love triangle with Blakely. Stanley got his big break playing Grenn in Game of Thrones and has since appeared in Broken, Dickensian, Little Women, Sanditon, The Little Drummer Girl, Happy Valley, Trigger Point, Honour and The Bay.
Joe Armstrong as DCI Davies
Joe Armstrong, known for roles in Fool Me Once, The Bay, Happy Valley, Black Mirror and Gentleman Jack, plays DCI Davies, who investigated David Blakely's murder. Arthur Darvill is also part of the cast.
Arthur Darvill as Victor Mishcon
Victor Mishcon, the barrister and divorce trial defending counsel for Ellis, is portrayed by actor Arthur Darvill. Darvill is best known for his roles as Rory Williams in Doctor Who from 2010 to 2012 and Rev Paul Coates in Broadchurch.
He has also appeared in Legends of Tomorrow, Little Dorrit, Sex and Drugs and Rock and Roll, Robin Hood, Our Boys, And Mrs, and Brides.
Juliet Stevenson as Dr Charity Taylor
Juliet Stevenson plays Dr Charity Taylor, the prison governor of Holloway Prison. Stevenson's notable acting credits include Riveria, The Politician's Wife, The Village, The Long Call and Professor T.
Nigel Havers as Mr Justice Cecil Havers
Nigel Havers takes on the role of his own grandfather, Mr Justice Cecil Havers, who presided over the murder trial.
Havers is most recognised for his role as Lord Andrew Lindsay in the British film Chariots of Fire, as well as parts in Empire of the Sun, A Passage to India, The Gentlemen, Better Things, and Finding Alice. Coronation Street fans will remember him as Lewis Archer.
Who else is in the cast of A Cruel Love: The Ruth Ellis Story?
- Toby Stephens as Melford Stevenson
- Amanda Drew as Bertha, mother of Ellis
- Bessie Carter as Carole Findlate
- Amanda Drew as Bertha
- Israr Azam as Cooch Behar
- Audrey Brisson as Jacqueline Dyer
- Raye Cooper is Georgina Ellis
- Darren Charman as a foreman
- Rowan Robinson as Katie Wells
- Tony Wadham as Arthur Neilson
- Adam Lawrence as DI Peter Gill
- Ed Sayer as Anthony Findlater
- Jack Staddon as Clive Gunnell
- Pierre Bergman as a reporter
A Cruel Love The Ruth Ellis Story debuts at 9pm on Wednesday, March 5 on ITV1 and ITVX. All episodes will be available on ITVX.
