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 and Silverprint Pictures release first look image of Lucy Boynton as Ruth Ellis in intoxicating drama,  A Cruel Love: The Ruth Ellis Story

• Toby Jones, Laurie Davidson and Mark Stanley join Lucy Boynton in Silverprint Pictures’ four-part drama for ITV and ITVX
• Joe Armstrong, Arthur Darvill, Nigel Havers, Toby Stephens and Juliet Stevenson also star.

[Pictured: Lucy Boynton as Ruth Ellis in A Cruel Love: The Ruth Ellis Story] [Copyright ITV/Please credit photographer Des Willie]

A Cruel Love: The Ruth Ellis Story tells the hidden story of Ruth Ellis and exposes the timeless British obsessions of class, sex and death.

Set in 1955 in the glamorous and intoxicating world of London club-land, Ruth found huge acclaim, aged 28, as the capital's youngest club manager.

But her success soon unraveled as she became entwined in an abusive relationship with racing driver David Blakely. On trial for his murder, Ruth was condemned to hang by a system which judged her for far more than her crime.

Commented Executive Producer for Silverprint Pictures, Kate Bartlett:

"Lucy Boynton is absolutely mesmerizing as Ruth Ellis, pictured here, at the height of her success as London's youngest club manager.  Aged 28, her ascendancy was brought to a sharp halt when she became enmeshed in an intoxicating love triangle which brought death and tragedy."

A Cruel Love: The Ruth Ellis Story, is based on Carol Ann Lee’s acclaimed biography A Fine Day for Hanging: The Real Ruth Ellis Story, and has been adapted by Kelly Jones (The Long Call, Des, Baptiste) and produced by critically acclaimed producers, Silverprint Pictures, whose portfolio includes Shetland, Vera and Flesh and Blood.

A Cruel Love: The Ruth Ellis Story was commissioned by ITV’s Head of Drama Polly Hill and Drama Commissioner, Huw Kennair Jones.

Silverprint’s Creative Director, Kate Bartlett (Shetland, Vera, Flesh and Blood, The Long Call) executive produces the series alongside Antonia Gordon, Development Director for Silverprint Pictures and writer Kelly Jones.

Kelly Jones has written all four scripts and Angie Daniell (World On Fire, Vigil, The Long Call) produces the series.  Lee Haven Jones (Passenger, Feast, The Long Call) directs all four episodes.

Silverprint Pictures is part of ITV Studios. ITV Studios is handling international distribution.