Lucy Boynton posed for a striking photoshoot with Tatler magazine as she detailed the lasting impact filming her new ITV drama, A Cruel Love: The Ruth Ellis Story, had on her.
The British–American actress, 31, wore a pair of black fallen angel wings, long gloves and sheer stockings as she went topless for one striking shot.
In another image she flashed a glimpse of her toned midriff in a baby blue feathered cape that she paired with wide legged jeans.
Lucy was also seen posing in a cage, holding onto the bars while clad in a baby pink mini dress with platform heels.
Her stunning shoot accompanied an interview in which she detailed her new role playing Ruth Ellis – the last woman to be executed in the United Kingdom.
Revealing the lasting impact the role had on her, she explained: ‘It was so hard to let go… it took a year after we ended filming to stop grinding my teeth, because it was a true story and much heavier than anything I’d done before.’
Lucy Boynton posed for a striking photoshoot with Tatler magazine as she went topless and modelled fallen angel wings while discussing her new ITV drama about Ruth Ellis
In another image she flashed a glimpse of her toned midriff in a baby blue feathered cape that she paired with wide legged jeans
Lucy also explained her complicated feelings surrounding the character, who was hanged at Holloway Prison in 1955 following the fatal shooting of her lover, David Blakely.
She shared: ‘It was infuriating because you feel so much more protective towards Ruth than she ever felt towards herself, everyone was scrabbling around to help her but she just didn’t think she deserved it.
‘She has this stiff-upper-lip British sensibility, where you don’t cry about what is done to you, and she was incredibly pragmatic about cause and effect.’
The four-part series is described as ‘a compelling legal and emotional rollercoaster’ and is based on Carol Ann Lee’s acclaimed biography A Fine Day for Hanging: The Real Ruth Ellis Story.
Set in 1955 in the glamorous and intoxicating world of London club-land, Ruth found huge acclaim as the capital’s youngest club manager and was the last woman in the UK to be hanged for her crimes.
The series will tell the tale of Ruth’s life as a manageress, her abusive relationship, and her subsequent arrest, trial and the legal fight to reprieve her.
Of the first look at Lucy playing Ruth, executive producer for Silverprint Pictures Kate Bartlett said: ‘Lucy Boynton is absolutely mesmerising 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.’
Lucy was also seen posing in a cage, holding onto the bars while clad in a baby pink mini dress with a ruffled bodice and towering platform heels
Her stunning shoot accompanied an interview in which she detailed her new role playing Ruth Ellis – the last woman to be executed in the United Kingdom
See the full feature in the April issue of Tatler available via digital download and on newsstands from Thursday, March 6
Lucy said: ‘Ruth Ellis’s story is a fascinating one. Both she and this complex case have always evoked a strong reaction.
‘With Kelly [Jones]’s insightful scripts I’m looking forward to bringing a new perspective to both familiar audiences as well as those who are unaware of her mark on British history.’
Lucy’s notable roles have seen her star as ruthless teenager Astrid Sloan alongside Gwyneth Paltrow in the Netflix series The Politician.
In the series, she appeared in lesbian romps and threesomes with her co-stars Ben Platt and David Corenswet.
Meanwhile she landed her first blockbuster role when she appeared in the Freddie Mercury biopic, Bohemian Rhapsody.
Laying Freddie Mercury’s partner and devoted best friend Mary Austin, Lucy received critical plaudits and award nominations, all while the film cleaned up at the box office – becoming the biggest biopic of all time.
The first episode of A Cruel Love: The Ruth Ellis Story will be released on February 17 on ITV.
Ellis was hanged at Holloway Prison in 1955 following the fatal shooting of her lover, David Blakely (left). She was the last woman to be executed in the UK (pictured in 1955)