Further casting announced for four-part drama, Ruth

Silverprint Pictures and ITV today announce further key casting for the forthcoming drama, Ruth, depicting the untold story of Ruth Ellis, the nightclub manageress and convicted murderer, who was the last woman to hang in the UK.

Toby Jones (Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, Empire of Light) will play Ruth Ellis's solicitor, John Bickford, who gradually realises the extent of Ruth's abuse at the hands of David Blakely – and who takes on the fight to make the case for provocation.

Laurie Davidson (Mary and George, Guilty Party) takes on the role of Ruth's abusive lover and victim, David Blakely.

Mark Stanley (Happy Valley, Dark River) plays Desmond Cussen, Ruth's devoted admirer and sometime lover, a regular at the Little Club who becomes caught up in Ruth's toxic love triangle alongside Blakely.

Other key roles include:

Joe Armstrong (Happy Valley, Gentleman Jack) as the detective in charge of Ruth's case, DCI Davies.

Arthur Darvill (Broadchurch, Sandman) as Victor Mishcon, Ruth's charismatic divorce lawyer who took up the fight for her reprieve.

Juliet Stevenson (Truly, Madly, Deeply, Wolf) will play Dr Charity Taylor, Governess of Holloway Prison.

Toby Stephens (Die Another Day, Black Sails) plays Ruth's defence barrister, Melford Stevenson QC.

Set in 1955, Ruth 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 will be produced by critically acclaimed producers, Silverprint Pictures, part of ITV Studios, whose portfolio includes Shetland, Vera, and Flesh and Blood.

Ruth was commissioned by ITV's Head of Drama, Polly Hill, and Drama Commissioner, Huw Kennair Jones.

Kelly Jones has written all four scripts, and Angie Daniell (World on Fire, Vigil, The Long Call) is producing the series. Lee Haven Jones (Passenger, Feast, The Long Call) directs all four episodes.
Silverprint's Creative Director, Kate Bartlett (Shetland, Vera, Flesh and Blood, The Long Call), is the executive producer alongside Antonia Gordon, Development Director for Silverprint Pictures.

Commented Kate Bartlett and Antonia Gordon:
"We are absolutely delighted to welcome such a stellar cast to join the amazing Lucy Boynton and bring to the screen our wonderful scripts by Kelly Jones. We could not have dreamed of a more perfect cast to tell the compelling and complex story of Ruth Ellis."

Ruth is produced in association with ITV Studios, which will handle global distribution.