
A Cruel Love: The Ruth Ellis Story
S1 · E1IMDB:
6.3
Released
2/17/2025
Duration
0h 45m
Genre
Drama, Crime
Country
United Kingdom
Cast
Lucy Boynton, Toby Jones, Laurie Davidson
Overview
A 1950s true crime drama about Ruth Ellis, the last woman in Britain to be hanged. This startling story reveals hidden truths about Ruth's murder of her lover, the legal case surrounding it and those who were also complicit.

A Cruel Love: The Ruth Ellis Story
Season 1 · Episode 1IMDB:
6.3Released
2/17/2025
Genre
Drama, Crime
Cast
Lucy Boynton, Toby Jones, Laurie Davidson
Duration
0h 45m
Country
United Kingdom
Overview
A 1950s true crime drama about Ruth Ellis, the last woman in Britain to be hanged. This startling story reveals hidden truths about Ruth's murder of her lover, the legal case surrounding it and those who were also complicit.
Episodes
EP 1AvailableEpisode 1
Ruth Ellis is arrested for killing her lover, David, with a gun in her hand. While the police see an open-and-shut case, her solicitor, John Bickford, suspects there’s more to the story.

Episode 1
Ruth Ellis is arrested for killing her lover, David, with a gun in her hand. While the police see an open-and-shut case, her solicitor, John Bickford, suspects there’s more to the story.
EP 2AvailableEpisode 2
At the Old Bailey, Ruth faces judgment shaped by British class and legal biases. Bickford fears she’s withholding vital details that could save her. Outside the courtroom, we uncover her sacrifices for David and a toxic love triangle.

Episode 2
At the Old Bailey, Ruth faces judgment shaped by British class and legal biases. Bickford fears she’s withholding vital details that could save her. Outside the courtroom, we uncover her sacrifices for David and a toxic love triangle.
EP 3AvailableEpisode 3
Found guilty and sentenced to hang, Ruth reflects on her relationship, lost dreams, and pregnancy, as her lawyer pressures the Home Office for a reprieve. Desperate and reliant on Desmond for her son, Ruth faces the weight of her looming fate.

Episode 3
Found guilty and sentenced to hang, Ruth reflects on her relationship, lost dreams, and pregnancy, as her lawyer pressures the Home Office for a reprieve. Desperate and reliant on Desmond for her son, Ruth faces the weight of her looming fate.
EP 4AvailableEpisode 4
The day before Ruth's execution, she finally agrees to tell her new lawyer, Victor Mishcon, the full story, the whole truth. Mishcon has twenty-four hours to save her life.

Episode 4
The day before Ruth's execution, she finally agrees to tell her new lawyer, Victor Mishcon, the full story, the whole truth. Mishcon has twenty-four hours to save her life.
Cast

Ruth Ellis
Lucy Boynton

John Bickford
Toby Jones

David Blakely
Laurie Davidson

Desmond Cussen
Mark Stanley

Victor Mishcon
Arthur Darvill

Carole Findlater
Bessie Carter

DCI Davies
Joe Armstrong

Cecil Havers
Nigel Havers

Melford Stevenson
Toby Stephens

Dr. Charity Taylor
Juliet Stevenson

Anthony Findlater
Ed Sayer

Arthur Neilson









