A new ITV series drama, ‘Ruth’ the last woman to hang in the UK

4WardEverUK • 7 June 2023

all credits: DEADLINE

published: 13 June 2023

Image Credit: Jimmy Chan at www.Pexels.com


Bohemian Rhapsody star Lucy Boynton is to headline an ITV series about [Ruth Ellis] the last woman to hang in the United Kingdom.


Boynton will play Ruth Ellis, a nightclub hostess who was hanged at the age of 28 after fatally shooting her abusive lover David Blakely. Famous hangman Albert Pierrepoint carried out the death sentence at Holloway Prison in 1955.


The four-part series is made by ITV Studios-backed Vera producer Silverprint Pictures. It is written by Kelly Jones (The Long Call, Des) and based on Carol Ann Lee’s biography A Fine Day for Hanging: The Real Ruth Ellis Story.

Ruth is told over two parallel timelines, with one half of the story following Ellis’ entry into a dizzying upper-class London and her ultimate downfall. The other follows John Bickford, Ellis’ lawyer, as he unravels secret truths about the case that remained hidden for decades.

Kate Bartlett and Antonia Gordon are the Executive Producers for Silverprint. Angie Daniell is the Producer and Lee Haven Jones (Passenger) directs.


Ruth was commissioned for ITV by Polly Hill and Huw Kennair Jones. The series is produced in association with ITV Studios, which will handle global distribution.


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