A Cruel Love: The Ruth Ellis Story cast and their real-life counterparts
Lucy Boynton leads the cast of ITV’s hard-hitting factual drama A Cruel Love: The Ruth Ellis Story, which explores the tragic life of the last woman to be hanged in Britain.
Ellis gunned down her abusive lover, David Blakely (played by Laurie Davidson), in 1955, with the resulting trial generating mass debate on the issue of capital punishment – which was abolished for murder a decade later.
Following the enormous impact of Mr Bates vs The Post Office, actor Toby Jones co-stars in this dramatisation of another miscarriage of justice, playing Ellis’s solicitor John Bickford.
The supporting cast of A Cruel Love: The Ruth Ellis Story also includes familiar faces from Doctor Who, Happy Valley and Bridgerton – you can find out more about them below, including photos of their real-life counterparts.
A Cruel Love: The Ruth Ellis Story cast
[image id="2226802" size="full" title="a_cruel_lovethe_ruth_ellis_story_13" alt="Laurie Davidson and Lucy Boynton star in A Cruel Love: The Ruth Ellis Story leaning close" classes=""] Laurie Davidson and Lucy Boynton star in A Cruel Love: The Ruth Ellis Story.
Here is a quick overview of the key cast members in A Cruel Love: The Ruth Ellis Story.
Read on for more detailed profiles of each individuals depicted (with real-life photos), the actors playing them – and where you might have seen them before.
Lucy Boynton as Ruth Ellis
Toby Jones as John Bickford
Laurie Davidson as David Blakely
Mark Stanley as Desmond Cussen
Bessie Carter as Carole Findlater
Ed Sayer as Anthony Findlater
Joe Armstrong as DCI Davies
Arthur Darvill as Victor Mishcon
Toby Stephens as Melford Stevenson
Nigel Havers as Cecil Havers
Audrey Brisson as Jacqueline
Rowan Robinson as Vicki
Amanda Drew as Bertha
Juliet Stevenson as Dr Charity Taylor
Lucy Boynton as Ruth Ellis
[image id="2228789" size="full" title="ruth-ellis" alt="On the left, a photograph of Ruth Ellis, and on the right, Lucy Boynton stars in A Cruel Love" classes=""] Ruth Ellis / Lucy Boynton in A Cruel Love.
Who was Ruth Ellis? Ruth Ellis was the last woman to be hanged in Britain. She survived a poor and abusive upbringing to find financial success as a night club manager and sex worker. She met upper-class race car driver David Blakely at her establishment and the two of them entered into an intense relationship, marred by physical and psychological abuse.
Ultimately, she killed him outside a London pub and the subsequent murder trial made major headlines all over Britain – sparking a discussion as to the morality of capital punishment.
What else has Lucy Boynton been in? Boynton’s recent television work includes ITV and BritBox dramas The Ipcress File and Why Didn’t They Ask Evans?, while she also worked with producer Ryan Murphy on his satirical drama The Politician on Netflix. She previously collaborated with A Cruel Love co-star Toby Jones on mystery thriller The Pale Blue Eye, while she made supporting appearances in juggernaut blockbusters Bohemian Rhapsody and Barbie.
Laurie Davidson as David Blakely
[image id="2228783" size="full" title="david-blakely" alt="On the left, David Blakely and Ruth Ellis. On the right, Laurie Davidson in A Cruel Love." classes=""] David Blakely and Ruth Ellis (left) and Laurie Davidson in A Cruel Love (right).
Who was David Blakely? David Blakely was a race car driver from a privileged, upper-class background, who was in a toxic relationship with Ruth Ellis. Ultimately, she killed him after years of abuse, with the trial failing to consider the way that he had treated her as a relevant factor in the case.
What else has Laurie Davidson been in? Most recently, Davidson starred in Paramount Plus romcom The Road Trip. Previously, he has appeared in The Last Kingdom: Seven Kings Must Die, Mary & George, Cats and Will, where he played a young William Shakespeare.
Mark Stanley as Desmond Cussen
[image id="2228785" size="full" title="desmond-cussen" alt="On the left, a photograph of Desmond Cussen and Ruth Ellis. ON the right, Mark Stanley in A Cruel Love." classes=""] Desmond Cussen and Ruth Ellis (left), and Mark Stanley in A Cruel Love (right).
Who was Desmond Cussen? Desmond was a former RAF pilot, who fought during the Second World War. He went on to have a sexual relationship with Ruth Ellis, becoming a love rival to David Blakely. Although he never faced charges for David’s death, historical accounts have questioned whether he encouraged Ruth to murder him by providing the revolver she used. Desmond always denied this accusation and has since passed away himself.
What else has Mark Stanley been in? Stanley was recently seen in Jed Mercurio and Vicky McClure thriller Trigger Point. His other credits include The Thief, His Wife and The Canoe, Happy Valley, The Reckoning and Sanditon.
Nigel Havers as Judge Cecil Havers
[image id="2228787" size="full" title="judge-havers" alt="On the left, Judge Cecil Havers and on the right, actor Nigel Havers in A Cruel Love" classes=""] On the left, Judge Cecil Havers and on the right, actor Nigel Havers in A Cruel Love.
Who is Judge Cecil Havers? Judge Havers was the judge who delivered the verdict in the Ruth Ellis case. He was actor Nigel Havers’s grandfather, making this a very personal piece of casting.
What else has Nigel Havers been in? Havers is best known for playing Lewis Archer for a decade-long period on the ITV soap opera Coronation Street. His film credits include acclaimed titles Chariots of Fire, Empire of the Sun and A Passage to India. He also recently appeared in Guy Ritchie’s hit Netflix series The Gentlemen.
Toby Jones as John Bickford
[image id="2226803" size="full" title="a_cruel_love-the_ruth_ellis_story_ep2_04" alt="Toby Jones stars in A Cruel Love: The Ruth Ellis Story in a suit" classes=""] Toby Jones stars in A Cruel Love: The Ruth Ellis Story.
Who was John Bickford? John Bickford was the solicitor assigned to Ruth Ellis’s case. He believes her story of abuse and wants to see her avoid facing capital punishment. Prior to representing her, Bickford had prosecuted war criminals in Austria.
What else has Toby Jones been in? Jones is one of the UK’s best known acting talents. He captivated the nation in last year’s factual drama Mr Bates vs The Post Office, with earlier works including Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, Captain America: The First Avenger, The Hunger Games, Journey’s End and Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom. He is also known for starring opposite Mackenzie Crook in the acclaimed BBC sitcom Detectorists and for providing the voice of Dobby in the Harry Potter films.
Bessie Carter plays Carole Findlater
[image id="2228782" size="full" title="carole-findlater" alt="On the left, Carole Findlater. On the right, Bessie Carter in A Cruel Love" classes=""] Carole Findlater (left) and Bessie Carter in A Cruel Love (right).
Who was Carole Findlater? Carole was an upper-class woman, who is friends with David Blakely.
What else has Bessie Carter been in? The daughter of actors Imelda Staunton and Jim Carter, Bessie has bagged roles in period dramas Howards End and Bridgerton as well as contemporary comedy-drama I Hate Suzie.
Arthur Darvill as Victor Mishcon
[image id="2228818" size="full" title="ruth-ellis-victor-mishcon" alt="On the left, Victor Mishcon and on the right, Arthur Darvill in A Cruel Love" classes=""] Victor Mishcon (left) and Arthur Darvill (right).
Who was Victor Mishcon? Victor was a solicitor, who helped draw up Ruth Ellis’s divorce agreement.
What else has Arthur Darvill been in? Darvill is probably best known for his turn as Rory in the beloved sci-fi drama Doctor Who, opposite Karen Gillan and Matt Smith. He has since appeared in Broadchurch, DC’s Legends of Tomorrow and Three Little Birds.
Toby Stephens as Melford Stevenson
[image id="2228821" size="full" title="ruth-ellis-cast-toby-stephens" alt="On the left, Melford Stevenson. And on the right, Toby Stephens in A Cruel Love." classes=""] Melford Stevenson (left) and Toby Stephens in A Cruel Love (right).
Who was Melford Stevenson? Melford was the barrister who represented Ruth Ellis during her trial.
What else has Toby Stephens been in? Stephens is best known for Die Another Day, Black Sails and Lost in Space. His recent work includes Percy Jackson and the Olympians, One Day and The Split.
Ed Sayer plays Anthony Findlater
[image id="2228786" size="full" title="findlaters-ruth-ellis" alt="(L-R) Carole and Anthony Findlater, Ruth Ellis and David Blakeley" classes=""] (L-R) Carole and Anthony Findlater, Ruth Ellis and David Blakely.
Who is Anthony Findlater? Anthony is Carole’s husband, and another friend of David’s.
What else has Ed Sayer been in? He has appeared in DC Comics drama Pennyworth, BBC sitcom Toast of Tinseltown and Netflix’s royal drama The Crown.
Audrey Brisson plays Jacqueline
[image id="2228829" size="full" title="audrey-brisson-cruel-love" alt="Audrey Brisson stars in A Cruel Love: The Ruth Ellis Story in a blue dress" classes=""] Audrey Brisson stars in A Cruel Love: The Ruth Ellis Story.
Who is Jacqueline? Jacqueline is a friend of Ruth’s, who wants to save her life.
What else has Audrey Brisson been in? Brisson recently appeared in Ridley Scott biopic Napoleon and Paramount Plus video game adaptation Halo.
Rowan Robinson plays Vicki
[image id="2228828" size="full" title="a_cruel_lovethe_ruth_ellis_story_ep1_11" alt="Rowan Robinson stars in A Cruel Love: The Ruth Ellis Story in a pink outfit" classes=""] Rowan Robinson stars in A Cruel Love: The Ruth Ellis Story.
Who is Vicki? Vicki is another of Ruth’s friends.
What else has Rowan Robinson been in? Robinson has recently taken roles in Kenneth Branagh’s A Haunting in Venice and ITVX mystery series Passenger.
A Cruel Love: The Ruth Ellis Story premieres on ITV1 and ITVX on Wednesday 5th March 2025.
Check out more of our Drama coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what’s on. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Welcome to Billionaire Club Co LLC, your gateway to a brand-new social media experience! Sign up today and dive into over 10,000 fresh daily articles and videos curated just for your enjoyment. Enjoy the ad free experience, unlimited content interactions, and get that coveted blue check verification—all for just $1 a month!
Account Frozen
Your account is frozen. You can still view content but cannot interact with it.
Please go to your settings to update your account status.
Open Profile Settings