Ruth was a force.. but against the system she was helpless

Actress on emotional portrayal of last woman hanged in Britain

- MARK JEFFERIES

EXPLORING the life and death of Ruth Ellis for her latest role brought home to Lucy Boynton how defenceless she was against the legal system of the 1950s.

The actress is playing the last woman to be hanged in Britain for a four-part ITV drama.

The nightclub hostess was executed after shooting dead her abusive lover, David Blakely, in 1955.

And Lucy, 31, said of A Cruel Love: The Ruth Ellis Story: "The fascination comes from not understanding how this could happen.

"Ruth was 28 and David was 25, and there was an emotive response from people. Some felt she should be hanged, as they worried other women would want to stand up for themselves.

"Others knew this was barbaric.

"Ruth was contradictory, electric and an absolute force who's gone after a big, bright life for herself.

"She has a lack of self-pity and takes ownership of what she's done. She thinks she can handle everything. Every layer that you peel back was really fascinating and completely informative.