A NEW series about the last woman to be executed in Britain also sees one of its stars stepping into the shoes of his own grandfather, who played a pivotal role in the real-life case.

A Cruel Love: The Ruth Ellis Story premieres this week on ITV1, detailing the tragic story of Ruth Ellis, played by Lucy Boynton.

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Nigel stars as his grandfather, Justice Cecil Havers, who fought to have Ruth’s d3ath sentance quashedCredit: Rex

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Lucy Boynton stars as Ruth Ellis, the woman who shot a man after he punched her in the stomach and caused her miscarriageCredit: PA
The four-episode series is based on Carol Ann Lee’s acclaimed biography A Fine Day for Hanging: The Real Ruth Ellis Story, which details how the Welsh nightclub hostess was sentenced to d3ath in 1955 for the fatal shooting of her lover, David Blakely.

Ruth blamed Blakely for her miscarriage after he punched her in the stomach. She told the court her lover Desmond Cussen had given her the gun and instructed her on how to use it.

The drama takes on an even deeper significance with the casting of Nigel Havers as Justice Cecil Havers, the very judge who presided over Ellis’ trial.

Justice Cecil Havers, who was appointed a High Court judge in 1951, oversaw Ellis’ trial at the Old Bailey on June 20, 1955.

Despite the mandatory d3ath sentence, Havers was deeply troubled by the verdict and actively sought to save Ellis from execution. He wrote to the Home Secretary pleading for clemency, an appeal that was ultimately ignored.

Following Ellis’ execution, Havers continued to support her family, sending money each year to help care for her son, Andy and daughter Georgina.

Nigel Havers, best known for his roles in Coronation Street, Chariots of Fire, and Empire of the Sun, was immediately drawn to the opportunity to portray his grandfather.

Executive producer Kate Bartlett revealed that, while the team initially thought Havers might hesitate to take on the role, he was eager to do so. “We had lots of conversations going, ‘Oh, do you think he might?’ And he leapt at it. We couldn’t quite believe it. So, it was just amazing that he was playing his grandfather, it was extraordinary,” Bartlett told OK!

Director Lee Haven Jones noted that Havers brought personal insights to the role, adding small details about his grandfather’s habits that enriched the portrayal. “Apparently, his grandfather used to write all the time, he’d constantly be taking notes, and he liked to bet on the horses as well.

“So, there were all of these little details, and while we didn’t include all of them, it was nice to know that the role was imbued with a sense of authenticity.”

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For Havers, stepping into his grandfather’s courtroom attire and repeating his exact words from the trial was an emotional experience. “On the set of this, wearing exactly the costume that he would wear in court, following exactly the words that he spoke, I did feel that Grandpa tried his hardest to get Ruth Ellis off, but there was nothing he could do. I hope I’ve done him justice,” he told The Telegraph.

Havers, who retired in 1967 and passed away in 1977, is remembered not only for his legal career but also for his compassion. His grandson has spoken warmly of their relationship, saying, “I adored him really. He was a kind-hearted man, and I do know he had great sympathy for Ruth.”

Ellis’ case remains one of the most controversial in British legal history, fueling debates about misogyny and class bias in the justice system.

It also contributed to the eventual abolition of the d3ath penalty in the UK a decade later and led to the introduction of diminished responsibility as a legal defence.

The series also stars Toby Jones as John Bickford, the solicitor representing Ellis, Laurie Davidson as Blakely, and Mark Stanley as Cussen.

A Cruel Love: The Ruth Ellis Story airs Wednesday at 9pm on ITV1.

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Nigel starred in Corrie as devilishly handsome scammer Lewis Archer who robbed poor Audrey blindCredit: Rex Features

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Ruth Ellis, seen here with David Blakely in 1955Credit: Getty