Lucy Boynton unveils a bleached bob as she transforms into Ruth Ellis – the last woman to hang in the UK – for upcoming ITV drama
Lucy Boynton on Monday unveiled a bleached bop transformed into Ruth Ellis – the last woman to be hanged in Britain – while filming scenes for the upcoming ITV drama.
The Beatrix Potter actress, 29, will star in the four-part drama, simply called ‘Ruth’.
Boynton showed off bleached hair, bright red lipstick and a smart black suit as she got into character.
Ruth Ellis was executed in 1955 aged just 28 after killing her violent lover, racing driver David Blakely.
She shot Blakely repeatedly outside the Magdala pub in Hampstead, north London, with one bullet ricocheting off the pavement and wounding a passer-by.
Getting into character: Lucy Boynton (left) debuted a bleached bop on Monday, transforming into Ruth Ellis (right) — the last woman to be hanged in Britain
Starring role: The Beatrix Potter actress, 29, will star as Ellis in the four-part drama, simply called ‘Ruth’
Lucy was photographed earlier in September, recreating the moment Ellis, flanked by two police officers, was brought before magistrates after being charged with the murder.
The actress, who also starred as Freddie Mercury’s former fiancée in the Queen biopic Bohemian Rhapsody, dated her co-star Rami Malek from filming until this year, when he was spotted with Emma Corrin.
The four-part drama was written by Call The Midwife and Baptiste screenwriter Kelly Jones for ITV.
Boynton will lead the cast of the upcoming four-part series, which tells the harrowing story of a nightclub hostess who was hanged at the age of 28 after shooting dead her abusive lover David Blakely.
Other stars include Toby Jones as Ruth’s lawyer John Bickford and Laurie Davidson as her abusive lover and victim David Blakely.
Mark Stanley plays Desmond Cussen, her devoted admirer and sometimes lover.
Told across two parallel timelines, Ruth reveals secret truths about the case that have been hidden for decades and will raise tantalizing questions about what really happened in the months before Ruth killed her lover.
Transformation: Boynton showed off a bleached hairdo, bright red lipstick and a smart black suit as she got into character
New project: Lucy Boynton to star in new ITV drama Ruth as Ruth Ellis, the last woman to be hanged in Britain
Chilled: She later cozied up in a casual ensemble
Casual: She wore a black tracksuit
Locks: Her hair was pinned with a blue net
The drama, written by Kelly Jones, is set in 1955 and will premiere on ITV1 and be available for streaming on ITVX.
Bohemian Rhapsody star Lucy said: ‘Ruth Ellis’ story is fascinating. Both she and this complex case have always provoked strong reactions.
“With Kelly’s insightful scripts, I look forward to bringing a new perspective to both familiar audiences and those unaware of her mark on British history.”
The drama will see Ellis as a young nightclub manager, her abusive relationship with Blakely, and her subsequent arrest, trial and legal battle to get her reprieve.
Ellis was hanged in 1955 at the age of just 28 by the infamous executioner, Albert Pierrepoint, at Holloway Prison.
The four-part series is described as ‘a riveting legal and emotional rollercoaster’ and is based on Carol Ann Lee’s 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 there was more to this crime of passion than Ruth had prepared. say.
“Her silence and resistance to speak about what happened between her and the dashing driver Blakely is far more complex than she admitted.
‘Ruth’s lawyer, the low-status but intelligent and sensitive John Bickford, begins to realize something of what she has suffered and believes they must plead provocation.
“With the stakes that couldn’t be higher, literally life or death, Bickford begins his own investigation and uncovers details that could have saved her life if these facts had become public in court.”
Break: She wore the casual outfit between takes
Friendly: She was seen talking to the crew
Cast: She was joined on set by actor Jack Staddon
Look: she was wearing thick black boots
Team: The set was in full swing
‘Secret Truths’ Ruth will ask tantalizing questions about what really happened in the months before Ruth murdered her lover David Blakely (pictured in 1955)
The drama is produced by Angie Darnell, with Lee Haven Jones directing all four episodes.
Ruth has been appointed 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 story of Ruth Ellis than we think we know.
‘Kelly’s scripts brilliantly explore not only how the emotional and physical abuse she suffered drove her to commit a terrible crime, but also the desperate last-minute attempt to save her as she and her supporters battled a ruthless establishment.
“We are thrilled to be working with Lucy Boynton and Silverprint Pictures to bring this compelling story to ITV and ITVX audiences.”
Lucy most recently appeared in ITV’s three-part adaptation of Agatha Christie’s Why Didn’t They Ask Evans? adapted and directed by Hugh Laurie.