Plot | Cast | Quotes | Facts | Trailer | Where to watch
Jealousy, love and pure obsession collide in this heart-wrenching drama, as the true and tragic story of Ruth Ellis— the last woman to be sentenced to death in the UK —finally gets the spotlight it deserves.
There have been documentaries and even a film (Dancing With a Stranger) covering this historic moment, but this ITV drama tells the story through a very different lens inspired by Carol Ann Lee’s book, A Fine Day for Hanging: The Real Ruth Ellis Story, showing everything that happened after that fateful day she pulled the trigger and portraying her as the person she really was, someone that will never ask for help or pity.
Hooked? We certainly are! Make sure you read on for allll the deets.
What is A Cruel Love: the Ruth Ellis Story about?
This captivating four-part series takes you back to the post-war world of 1950s London, taking you on a rollercoaster ride of emotions, introducing you to the glitz, glamour and suffering that filled Ruth Ellis’s life. Following a whirlwind romance with racing driver David Blakely, their love story turns into obsession and tragedy when he becomes abusive, leading to one fateful moment: Ruth holding a gun and David Blakely dead on the floor. But the big question is – why did she pull the trigger?
With each episode prepare to be glued to your seat as the layers of this harrowing tale unravels revealing secrets, heartbreak and the complexities of a woman trapped in a society that is built to turn against her. This is not just a drama, it’s a fight for justice.
Ruth was used as a political chess piece.
-Lucy Boynton
Who’s in A Cruel Love: The Ruth Ellis Story?
- Lucy Boynton, known for her role as Mary Austin in Bohemian Rhapsody will be staring as Ruth Ellis.
- Toby Jones (Mr Bates vs The Post Office) will star alongside Lucy as her solicitor John Bickford.
- Laurie Davidson (Will) will play Ruth’s lover, David Blakely.
- Mark Stanley (Game of Thrones) will be Desmund Cussen, Ruth’s admirer.
- Bessie Carter (Bridgerton) will play Carole Findlater, the ex-mistress of David.
Words from Lucy Boynton:
"This is a story about a women whose actions and subsequent death lead to change… the case itself, the story itself is undeniable from the way it impacted the judicial system in the UK and the way Kelly Jones’s script gives such a understanding of what it’s like to live in post-war London in the 50s. Gender politics, class politics and at the centre of all of that, you have this fascinating women who is so completely under herself…"
Surprising facts you didn't know
Here at Freely we were very excited to be invited to the Q&A premiere, but we couldn’t just go without telling you alllll about it. Here’s some of our favourite facts:
- When shooting the series, they actually filmed the shooting of Blakely in the exact location (outside the Magdala pub).
- Ruth Ellis was hung within 22 days of being convicted, even by the standard of the 50s, this was remarkably short.
- Nigel Haver’s plays his grandfather Cecil Havers who was the real-life judge on Ruth’s trial.
- The jury took just 14 minutes to convict Ruth of murder.
She was a trailblazer in life and a trailblazer in her death
-Laura Enston, the granddaughter of Ruth Ellis.
The Trailer
Where can I watch it?
Diaries at the ready? A Cruel Love: The Ruth Ellis Story will be available to stream on ITVX and STV Player from Wednesday 5th March. You can also catch it on Wednesdays at 9pm on ITV1 and STV, make sure you don’t miss it!
And if you loveddd this recommendation why not check out all the other great TV shows coming this month!
