First look at Lucy Boynton as Rhyl-born Ruth Ellis in new ITV drama

Lucy will portray Ruth, the last woman to be hanged in Britain who was born Ruth Neilson in Rhyl in 1926.

Toby Jones as Ruth Jones' solicitor John Bickford in the drama originally titled Ruth.

Jones also appeared in the recent Mr Bates versus the Post Office, for which scenes were filmed in Llandudno and elsewhere in North Wales.

Lucy Boynton as Ruth Ellis in A Cruel Love: The Ruth Ellis Story (Copyright ITV)

Laurie Davidson and Mark Stanley also star in Silverprint Pictures’ four-part drama for ITV and ITVX.

Joe Armstrong, Arthur Darvill, Nigel Havers, Toby Stephens and Juliet Stevenson also appear.

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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.

Kelly Jones has written all four scripts.

Excitement is already building for the new drama, an air date for which has not been set.

On Facebook, Fiona Stewart said: "Looking forward to this, I loved the film Dance with a Stranger about her life."

Hayley Anne said: "Oh man! This is the saddest story, I have always felt so sorry for Ruth Ellis, can't wait to watch it!"

Therese Marie Goodey said: "ITV are really smashing it on the dramas lately… loving it."