A Cruel Love: The Ruth Ellis Story

2025

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A Cruel Love: The Ruth Ellis Story

7 | TV-MA | en | Drama

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.

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Seasons & Episodes

EP1 Episode 1

Feb. 17,2025

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.

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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.

Watch Now

EP2 Episode 2

Feb. 17,2025

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.

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EP3 Episode 3

Feb. 24,2025

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.

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EP4 Episode 4

Mar. 05,2025

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.

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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.

Watch Now

7 | TV-MA | en | Drama , Crime | More Info

Released: 2025-02-17 | Released Producted By: Silverprint Pictures , Country: United Kingdom Budget: 0 Revenue: 0 Official Website:

info

Genre

Drama , Crime

Watch Online

A Cruel Love: The Ruth Ellis Story (2025) is now streaming with subscription on Britbox

Cast

Lucy Boynton , Toby Jones , Laurie Davidson , Mark Stanley , Arthur Darvill , Bessie Carter

Director

Stephen Campbell

Producted By

Silverprint Pictures ,

A Cruel Love: The Ruth Ellis Story Videos and Images

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Top Credited Cast
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Crew

Lucy Boynton

as Ruth Ellis

A Cruel Love: The Ruth Ellis Story The Greatest Hits Chevalier Why Didn't They Ask Evans? The Ipcress File The Pale Blue Eye Locked Down Glimpse Ben Platt: Live from Radio City Music Hall The Politician

Toby Jones

as John Bickford

The Hack Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets A Cruel Love: The Ruth Ellis Story The Actor Mr. Burton The Instigators Nurses Come and Go, But None for Me Mr Bates vs The Post Office Wander to Wonder Mr Bates vs The Post Office: The Real Story

Laurie Davidson

as David Blakely

The Girlfriend A Cruel Love: The Ruth Ellis Story The Road Trip The Last Kingdom: Seven Kings Must Die National Theatre Live: Jack Absolute Flies Again Guilty Party Cats The Good Liar Diana and I Will

Mark Stanley

as Desmond Cussen

My Mother's Wedding A Cruel Love: The Ruth Ellis Story Craggy Confidant The Settlers The Reckoning The Thief, His Wife and the Canoe The Thief, His Wife and the Canoe Spinning White House Farm Sulphur & White

Arthur Darvill

as Victor Mishcon

Brides Doctor Who: Unleashed - 20 Years of New Who in Wales A Cruel Love: The Ruth Ellis Story And Mrs. Three Little Birds The Sandman People You May Know The Sandman Shut Up & Dig In Wonderland

Bessie Carter

as Carole Findlater

A Cruel Love: The Ruth Ellis Story Outrageous National Theatre Live: Mrs. Warren's Profession National Theatre Live: Dear Octopus Pigs Bridgerton Beecham House Howards End