TV DRAMA
Carol Ann Lee has made a significant breakthrough into television with her compelling adaptation of the infamous Whitehouse Farm murders, captivating audiences with her meticulous storytelling and deep understanding of true crime. Building on this success, she is now delving into the tragic story of Ruth Ellis, the last woman to be hanged in the UK. Lee's ability to explore complex characters and the emotional nuances of historical events promises to bring a fresh perspective to these well-known cases, further solidifying her reputation as a talented author and screenwriter in the world of true crime.
A CRUEL LOVE
A Cruel Love Story: The Ruth Ellis Story is a compelling new ITV drama inspired by Carol Ann Lee’s acclaimed biography, A Fine Day for Hanging. Set in the tumultuous backdrop of 1950s London, the series explores the tragic life of Ruth Ellis, the last woman to be executed in the UK. It delves into her tumultuous and often abusive relationship with David Blakely, revealing the complexities of love, desperation, and the societal pressures of the time.
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The drama highlights key events leading up to Ruth's fateful decision, shedding light on the emotional turmoil that drove her to murder. With standout performances from Jessica Raine as Ruth Ellis and Harry Lawtey as David Blakely, the series promises to captivate audiences with its poignant storytelling and rich character exploration. As it navigates themes of love, betrayal, and justice, A Cruel Love Story offers a fresh perspective on a notorious figure whose story continues to resonate deeply.
WHITE HOUSE FARM
ITV’s six part factual drama, White House Farm, produced by New Pictures, revolves around one fateful night in August 1985 when five members of the same family were murdered at an Essex farmhouse; Sheila Caffell, her twin six-year-old sons, Daniel and Nicholas, and her parents, Nevill and June Bamber.
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The series will seek to provide fresh insight into this family tragedy and the contested accounts of the events that took place at White House Farm. It is based on extensive research, interviews and published accounts including, ‘The Murders at White House Farm’ by Carol Ann Lee with additional material from ‘In Search of The Rainbow’s End’ by Colin Caffell, husband of Sheila and father to Daniel and Nicholas Caffell.
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Essex Police initially believed that Sheila, who had mental health problems, had murdered her own family before turning the gun on herself. But Detective Sergeant Stan Jones had doubts about the murder-suicide theory, and about Sheila’s brother Jeremy Bamber, who first called the police to the farm. Eventually, it was Jeremy Bamber who was charged and convicted of the murders of his own parents, sister and nephews. Bamber is currently serving life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. He is one of the few prisoners in the UK subject to a whole-life order. Bamber still maintains his innocence.