Podcast Summary: All Of It - "A Cruel Love' Tells Story of Ruth Ellis, the Last Woman Executed in the UK"

Introduction

In the February 12, 2025 release of WNYC's All Of It, host Alison Stewart delves into the compelling and tragic story of Ruth Ellis, the last woman to be executed in the United Kingdom. The episode centers around the new four-part BritBox series, A Cruel Love: The Ruth Ellis Story, featuring insights from actress Lucy Boynton, who portrays Ruth Ellis, and writer Kelly Jones, who crafted the series' narrative. This episode explores the intricate layers of Ruth Ellis's life, her tumultuous relationship, societal biases, and the case's profound impact on the British legal system.

Background on Ruth Ellis

Ruth Ellis was a nightclub hostess and manager who gained notoriety after murdering her lover, David Blakely, a wealthy race car driver. Ellis's trial in 1955 was brief, lasting only two weeks, with an all-male jury deliberating for a mere 14 minutes before convicting her of premeditated murder—a capital offense at the time. Her case became a media frenzy, highlighting issues of murder, sexuality, nightlife, and stark class divisions. Ultimately, Ruth Ellis was hanged on July 13, 1955, marking her as the last woman executed in the UK and a pivotal figure in the movement towards abolishing the death penalty.

Insights from Lucy Boynton and Kelly Jones

Introduction to the Series

Alison Stewart introduces Lucy Boynton and Kelly Jones, the star and writer of A Cruel Love, respectively. Lucy reflects on her initial unfamiliarity with Ruth Ellis, stating, “[...] I possibly knew her name and I mean everyone who I brought this up to that was older than me, was more than familiar and immediately had a very emotional response. But I myself had never been informed about her” (01:47).

Relevance and Representation

Lucy expresses surprise and disappointment at the lack of widespread knowledge about Ruth Ellis, attributing it to the neglect of women's stories: “[...] not a huge surprise when women's stories are neglected” (01:47). She emphasizes the importance of portraying Ruth's story to shed light on misogyny and class divides in post-war London.

Kelly Jones discusses her motivation for creating the series, highlighting the need to explore beyond previous portrayals, such as the film Dance with a Stranger. She notes, “The story of Ruth meeting David is really fascinating. That's why we kind of wanted to really show these two timelines and kind of cut them against each other” (02:49). Kelly aims to present a balanced narrative that delves into the legal struggles Ellis faced, aspects previously untouched in media portrayals.

Character Analysis: Ruth Ellis and David Blakely

Ruth Ellis's Transformation

Lucy describes Ruth as a determined and ambitious woman from an impoverished background who moves to London at 14 with aspirations to forge her own path. She evolves into a complex character, revealing a “brittle exterior” used to protect herself and hide her vulnerabilities: “[...] it becomes much more complex and much more masked by this sort of brittle exterior which she develops to protect herself” (05:42).

David Blakely's Complexity

Kelly provides a nuanced portrayal of David Blakely, describing him as a “25-year-old racing driver from a wealthy family” seeking meaning in his seemingly empty life: “[...] he was looking for something and he meets Ruth. And it's really a fateful moment for both of them” (05:42). Lucy highlights Laurie Davidson’s portrayal of David, showcasing both his charm and his dark, abusive side: “Laurie Davidson does such a beautiful job. He plays David Blakely in the show of showing all sides of him” (05:45).

Exploring Abuse and Victimhood

The series delves into the abusive nature of Ruth's relationship with David, which was downplayed during her trial. Kelly explains that during the 1950s, the defense was constrained from fully presenting the extent of abuse Ruth endured: “[...] Rhe defense solicitor wanted to use that defence and was overruled by the barrister” (13:56). This omission contributed to Ruth being scapegoated by the establishment.

Legal and Societal Implications

Imbalanced Trial and Media Sensation

Lucy discusses the trial's imbalance, where Ruth's abusive relationship was inadequately addressed: “[...] her trial was incredibly imbalanced” (03:48). The media's sensational portrayal intertwined elements of murder, class, and gender, influencing public perception and judicial outcomes.

Impact on the Legal System

Kelly emphasizes the case's significant role in altering the British legal landscape. Ruth Ellis's execution spurred public outcry, leading to the introduction of diminished responsibility as a legal defense and eventually contributing to the abolition of the death penalty in the mid-1960s: “[...] her case really changed our legal landscape forever” (17:06).

Acting and Writing Perspectives

Lucy Boynton's Portrayal of Ruth Ellis

Lucy shares the emotional challenges of embodying Ruth Ellis, especially given the character's complexity and the historical context: “[...] I was 29 when we filmed this. She was 28 when she was killed. It was so hard not to empathize with her so much” (12:23). She discusses the difficulty of separating herself from Ruth’s trauma and the importance of portraying her strength and vulnerability authentically.

Kelly Jones on Writing Ruth's Character

Kelly describes Ruth as “her own worst enemy,” highlighting her stubbornness and refusal to accept help despite her abusive circumstances: “[...] she does not want to be pitied by anyone. She refuses sympathy” (09:19). She underscores the intricacies of writing a character who is both a victim and a perpetrator, striving to present Ruth as a fully human figure rather than a one-dimensional antagonist.

Emotional and Psychological Impact

Depicting Abuse and Resilience

Lucy discusses the emotional toll of portraying Ruth, especially scenes depicting domestic violence and psychological abuse: “[...] recreating these scenes of domestic violence and psychological abuse [...] is still such a contemporary issue” (23:51). She credits the production's support system, including an intimacy coordinator, for helping her navigate these intense emotions.

Ruth’s Final Moments and Rejection of Mercy

A poignant scene from the series illustrates Ruth's rejection of public sympathy and her resolve to accept her fate:

• Lucy Boynton as Ruth Ellis: “I don't care what they write. I want my sentence to take its course. You will not go to the home office. I will not die with this world thinking I am some beaten little fool.” (18:53)
• Kelly Jones as Ruth's Counsel: “You've seen what they've written about you.” (18:59)
• Ruth Ellis: “An eye for an eye.” (19:24)

Lucy explains Ruth's refusal to seek mercy as a way to maintain control and take full responsibility for her actions, despite the underlying trauma: “[...] she was trying to protect someone else and so was taking full responsibility” (19:32).

Historical Significance and Legacy

Catalyst for Legal Reform

Kelly highlights that Ruth Ellis's execution was a catalyst for change, leading to the abolition of the death penalty and the recognition of diminished responsibility in legal defenses: “[...] introduced just after Ruth's death as a result of what happened to her” (13:56). The swift execution after conviction, within 22 days, underscored the harshness of the legal system at the time.

Lasting Impact on Society and Media

The episode concludes by underscoring Ruth Ellis's enduring legacy in challenging societal norms and legal practices. Her story serves as a reminder of the pervasive impact of gender and class biases and the importance of revisiting historical narratives to understand and address contemporary issues.

Conclusion

A Cruel Love: The Ruth Ellis Story brings to life the nuanced and heartbreaking tale of Ruth Ellis, offering a balanced portrayal that challenges viewers to reconsider preconceived notions of victimhood and culpability. Through the insightful discussions with Lucy Boynton and Kelly Jones, the All Of It episode masterfully captures the essence of Ruth's story and its significant ramifications on British culture and law.

Notable Quotes

• Lucy Boynton on Initial Awareness: “[...] I possibly knew her name and I mean everyone who I brought this up to that was older than me, was more than familiar and immediately had a very emotional response.” (01:47)

• Kelly Jones on Writing David Blakely: “He's someone who does terrible things, but is also very human in this piece.” (08:11)

• Ruth Ellis's Defiance: “I will not die with this world thinking I am some beaten little fool.” (18:59)

• Kelly Jones on Ruth’s Self-Sabotage: “She’s her own worst enemy.” (21:34)

• Ruth Ellis on Justice: “An eye for an eye.” (19:24)

Timestamp Reference

For clarity, notable quotes are referenced with their corresponding timestamps from the transcript provided.