Lucy Boynton is cast as Ruth Ellis – the last woman hanged in the UK after shooting her abusive lover – in gripping new ITV drama
- The nightclub hostess was hanged after shooting dead her abusive lover
- The drama is told over two parallel timelines and reveals secret truths about the case
- Ellis was hanged at Holloway Prison in 1955 at the age of 28
Lucy Boynton is set to star in new ITV drama Ruth as Ruth Ellis, the last woman in the UK to be hanged.
The actress, 29, will lead the cast of the upcoming four-part series, which will tell the harrowing story of a nightclub hostess who was hanged aged 28 after she shot and killed her abusive lover David Blakely.
Told across two parallel timelines, Ruth reveals secret truths about the case that have been hidden for decades and will ask tantalizing questions about what really happened in the months before Ruth killed her lover.
Written by Kelly Jones, the drama is set in 1955 and will premiere on ITV1 and is available for streaming on ITVX.
Bohemian Rhapsody star Lucy said, “The story of Ruth Ellis is fascinating. Both she and this complex case have always provoked strong reactions.
New project: Lucy Boynton to star in new ITV drama Ruth as Ruth Ellis, the last woman in the UK to be hanged
‘Convincing’: The upcoming four-part series, which will tell the harrowing story of a nightclub hostess (pictured in 1954) who was hanged at age 28 after shooting her abusive lover
“With Kelly’s insightful scripts, I look forward to bringing a new perspective to both the mainstream audience and those unaware of her mark on British history.”
The drama will see Ellis as a young nightclub manageress, her abusive relationship with Blakely, and her subsequent arrest, trial, and the legal battle to get her reprieve.
Ellis was hanged by the notorious executioner, Albert Pierrepoint, at Holloway Prison, aged just 28, in 1955.
Described as “a riveting legal and emotional rollercoaster,” the four-part series is based on Carol Ann Lee’s critically acclaimed biography A Fine Day for Hanging: The Real Ruth Ellis Story.
An ITV spokesperson said of the drama: ‘The powerful mystery of what compelled Ruth Ellis to take the life of the man she had a passionate but toxic and volatile relationship with will reveal that there was more to this crime of passion than Ruth had prepared. say.
Her silence and reluctance to talk about what happened between her and rambunctious driver Blakely is much more complex than she admitted.
Ruth’s lawyer, the lowly but intelligent and sensitive John Bickford, is beginning to realize something of what she has suffered and believes they should plead for provocation.
“With stakes that couldn’t be higher, literally life or death, Bickford begins his own investigation and discovers details that could have saved her life had those facts been revealed in court.”
‘Secret Truths’ Ruth will ask tantalizing questions about what really happened in the months before Ruth killed her lover David Blakely (pictured in 1955)
The drama is produced by Angie Darnell and Lee Haven Jones will direct all four episodes.
Ruth is on behalf of ITV’s Head of Drama Polly Hill and Drama Commissioner, Huw Kennair Jones.
Silverprint’s Creative Director Kate Bartlett will executive produce the series alongside Antonia Gordon, Development Director for Silverprint Pictures.
Jones said, “There is so much more to the Ruth Ellis story than we think we know.
Kelly’s scripts brilliantly explore not only how the emotional and physical abuse she endured led her to commit a terrible crime, but also the desperate last-minute attempt to rescue her as she and her supporters battled a ruthless establishment .
“We are delighted to be working with Lucy Boynton and Silverprint Pictures to bring this compelling story to ITV and ITVX audiences.”
Lucy recently appeared in ITV’s three-part adaptation of Agatha Christie’s Why Didn’t They Ask Evans? edited and directed by Hugh Laurie.
Tragic: Ellis was hanged by the notorious hangman, Albert Pierrepoint, at Holloway Prison, aged just 28 in 1955 (pictured in 1954)