Lucy Boynton Reveals the Dark Truth Behind Ruth Ellis in New Drama Series!

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In 1955, Ruth Ellis was the last woman executed in the United Kingdom following a deadly shooting of her abusive partner. Decades later, in 1985, Mike Newell’s film “Dance With a Stranger” recounted her tale, with Miranda Richardson and Rupert Everett in the leading roles. Now, the upcoming four-part drama series “A Cruel Love: The Ruth Ellis Story,” airing on streaming service BritBox starting Monday, presents Ellis’ narrative from her perspective, as portrayed by Lucy Boynton (known for films like “Bohemian Rhapsody,” “Murder on the Orient Express,” and “The Politician”).

The upcoming series titled “A Fine Day for a Hanging: The Real Ruth Ellis Story” is being created by ITV Studios’ Silverprint Pictures, set to debut on ITVX in March. This series is adapted from Carol Ann Lee’s biography of the same name. In addition, Toby Jones portrays Ellis’ lawyer, with Laurie Davidson, Mark Stanley, Joe Armstrong, Arthur Darvill, Juliet Stevenson, Toby Stephens, Amanda Drew, and Bessie Carter also featured in the show.

The series was penned by Kelly Jones, while Angie Daniell took on the role of producer, and Lee Haven Jones helmed the direction for all four episodes.

Boynton hadn’t heard of Ellis before, but was instantly captivated by the chance to share her story. “Whenever I asked someone a bit older, like my parents, everyone was not only familiar with her, but also reacted quite emotionally,” she says to THR. “I was really surprised that I didn’t know about her, given how significant the impact of this case was, particularly on the British judicial system. She plays a crucial role in our social-political history.

She describes her research experience as an “immense learning opportunity,” explaining how it helped her grasp the social context of the ’50s and its impact on the woman she became. This understanding, in turn, shaped her personally and professionally, as reflected in her dynamics. Furthermore, Lee’s book served as a guiding text for her.

Due to the intricacy of the character and her background, Boynton praised “the superb writing of Kelly Jones” as it immediately stood out to him that the script portrayed Ruth in a fair manner. It didn’t attempt to bias her in any way. Instead, the focus was on humanizing her and making clear who she truly was, after being misconstrued by the media in the past.

The action facilitated the star’s journey in demonstrating the contrast between light and dark aspects in Ruth Ellis’ choices, she emphasizes. “She was an enigmatic and intricate individual, which only adds to the fascination of my work,” she continues. “I find it more authentic to embrace and not evade a person or character whose actions don’t align with our expectations. It makes the whole story even more captivating.

Boynton usually immerses himself into a character by being quite meticulous and gathering as many details as possible. He begins by examining the outer traits, then delves deeper into the inner workings, exploring their psychological core, peculiarities, and behavioral patterns.

Speaking with THR, the star expressed that they found it incredibly relatable to empathize with Ellis due to her unique and challenging circumstances. As one delves into her family dynamics, the abuse and trauma inflicted by her father, along with her upbringing in difficult economic conditions, a clearer picture emerges as to why she behaves as she does. Therefore, it was relatively simple for them to understand and empathize with Ellis’ experiences.

Boynton expresses no shock that BritBox picked up the show for U.S. viewing. She explains, “It’s such a tale about people – it delves into politics, gender roles, class structure. I believe these themes are universal concerns, making it effortless for audiences to empathize.” She further adds, “While the story takes place within the British system, the protagonist’s sensibility, her character, and the relationships portrayed are universally relatable and familiar.

Given Ellis’ extensive involvement in the series and the traumatic events portrayed, it must have been challenging for Boynton to film the drama. “Those scenes depicting domestic violence were particularly tough days,” she admits to THR. “Even though you intellectually understand that it’s unreal and you’re secure, your body still reacts physically to performing such acts. The hardest aspect was being aware that it was a real story, and also recognizing that it remains a reality for many people, signifying that this is still a significant and worldwide problem we confront. Therefore, I was incredibly thankful to be collaborating with such a compassionate team, particularly our intimacy coordinator, Sophie Cooch, who was truly a lifesaver on this project.

Boynton praises the entire team responsible for the series, emphasizing their shared understanding of the significance in presenting this story on-screen and reaching a wider audience, even those unfamiliar with this particular case.

Davidson skillfully portrays Ellis’ partner David Blakely without flinching from depicting the character’s moments of genuine darkness and harshness. Boynton comments on this, stating that he brings an alluring charm to the role, making it easy for viewers to comprehend why people are attracted to Blakely. Furthermore, Boynton notes that Davidson effectively conveys why Ruth felt secure with him and trusted him, despite occasional glimpses of Blakely’s cruel side. These moments, which may be missed by others in the scene or setting, serve to emphasize the isolation and secrecy of Ruth’s personal experience with Blakely.

Working alongside the acclaimed Toby Jones was another delight for Boynton. As she shared with THR, “I have immense respect for his craft and his decisions. He truly embodies quality. During our scenes, discussing how to amplify emotions or engage the audience, it’s a joy to collaborate with someone I trust implicitly.

Above all, Boynton is deeply appreciative for the chance to share the significant and intricate tale of Ruth Ellis with a global audience. “I feel incredibly fortunate and thankful to be in an industry that allows us to delve into women’s narratives,” the actress remarks at the end. “Moreover, given the current circumstances, it’s crucial that we scrutinize how our justice systems handle women’s cases because they continue to be overlooked.

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2025-02-17 16:24