A Cruel Love: The Ruth Ellis Story,[1][2] originally titled Ruth, is an upcoming, four-part British historical drama television series for ITVX, starring Lucy Boynton as Ruth Ellis, the last woman hanged in Britain, and Toby Jones as her solicitor John Bickford.
A Cruel Love: The Ruth Ellis Story | |
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Genre | Historical drama |
Based on | A Fine Day For Hanging: The Real Ruth Ellis Story by Carol Ann Lee |
Screenplay by | Kelly Jones |
Directed by | Lee Haven Jones |
Starring | |
Country of origin | United Kingdom |
Original language | English |
No. of series | 1 |
No. of episodes | 4 |
Production | |
Executive producer |
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Producer | Angie Daniell |
Editor | David Fisher |
Production company |
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Original release | |
Network | ITVX |
Synopsis edit
Ellis was the last woman to be hanged in the United Kingdom after the fatal shooting of her abusive lover.[3]
Cast edit
Production edit
The project is produced by Silverprint Pictures for ITVX and is based on Carol Ann Lee’s biography A Fine Day For Hanging: The Real Ruth Ellis Story. The script is written by Kelly Jones with Angie Daniell producing the series and Lee Haven Jones directing all four episodes, originally entitled Ruth.[4]
On 19 February 2024, ITV announced the series' retitling to A Cruel Love: The Ruth Ellis Story and released a first-look image of Lucy Boynton in character as Ellis.[1][2]
Casting edit
In June 2023, Lucy Boynton joined the cast.[5] In September 2023 it was revealed the cast would also include Toby Jones, Laurie Davidson, Mark Stanley, Joe Armstrong, Arthur Darvill, Juliet Stevenson and Toby Stephens.[6]
Filming edit
Filming took place in Dorchester, Dorset in October 2023;[7] specific filming locations included Dorchester Prison.[8]
References edit
- ^ a b Goldbart, Max (19 February 2024). "ITV Unveils Exclusive First-Look Image Of Lucy Boynton As Ruth Ellis, The Last Woman Hanged In Britain". Deadline. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
- ^ a b "ITV and Silverprint Pictures release first look image of Lucy Boynton as Ruth Ellis in intoxicating drama, A Cruel Love: The Ruth Ellis Story". ITV. 19 February 2024. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
- ^ Cormack, Morgan (28 September 2023). "Toby Jones and Happy Valley stars join cast of ITV's Ruth Ellis drama". Radio Times. Retrieved 29 September 2023.
- ^ Kanter, Jake (13 June 2023). "Lucy Boynton Headlines ITV Series 'Ruth' About The Last Woman To Hang In The UK". Deadline Hillywood. Retrieved 29 September 2023.
- ^ Hibbs, James (13 June 2023). "Lucy Boynton plays Ruth Ellis in ITV drama about last woman hanged in UK". Radio Times. Retrieved 28 December 2023.
- ^ Goldbart, Max (28 September 2023). "Toby Jones Boards ITV Drama 'Ruth' About Last Woman To Be Hanged In Britain". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 29 September 2023.
- ^ Taylor, Mike (28 October 2023). "Filming for ITV drama series wraps up in Dorchester as production crews take over car park". Dorset.Live. Retrieved 28 December 2023.
- ^ Carr, Hollie (29 October 2023). "ITV film four-part drama 'Ruth' in Dorchester prison". Dorset Echo. Retrieved 28 December 2023.