Viewers of the new ITV drama A Cruel Love: The Ruth Ellis Story made the same comment about the new series focusing on the last woman to be hanged in Britain. Ruth Ellis (Lucy Boynton) was arrested and charged with murder after the shooting of her lover David Blakely (Laurie Davidson) in 1955.

Drawing inspiration from Carol Ann Lee's book, A Fine Day For A Hanging, the new series will highlight the emotional and physical abuse suffered by Ruth at the hands of her lover David Blakely.

Following the shooting, Ruth confessed to the murder, leading the police to consider it a straightforward case. However, things take an unexpected turn when Ruth's solicitor John Bickford begins to question the extent of her suffering.

The four-part series also explores the public outcry about her excitation and be pivotal to the death penalty being outlawed.

The first episode of A Cruel Love: The Ruth Ellis Story was aired on ITV1 at 9pm on Wednesday (March 5) and earned rave reviews from critics and viewers.

But some viewers were keen to make the same observation about A Cruel Love after the story switched from past to present throughout the series.

One said: "Wish they would just start at the beginning and go through till the end.

"Hate this jumping back and forth to past and present. Confusing. Why would she admit to a murder she didn't do."

Another viewer complained: "Just tried to watch the first episode of #ACruelLove on ITVX. What's the thing about switching from past to present in a single scene? It's confusing. Gave up."

Kelly Jones, who wrote the series, explained the two-timeline story structure and how this format enhanced the series. She said: " It's two timelines. So the first timeline begins with her killing David Blakely and being arrested and the trial conviction that follows up until the moment of her being hanged.

"The second timeline explores her relationship with David as well as her entry into the London social scene.We know what happens but the story is kind of a why done it, I guess.

"You take this very ordinary young woman and think, 'Oh my God, how did she come to literally put five bullets in this guy?'."

Many viewers were positive, with particular praise for Lucy Boynton's sympathetic portrayal of Ruth Ellis. One said: "Lucy Boynton has to be one of Britain's greatest actresses, I've never seen her give a poor performance but, as Ruth Ellis, she is absolutely out of this world and completely crushed it.

"She played Ruth perfectly. Give her all the awards, STAT!"

Another fan commented: "Well done to all involved in making the Ruth Ellis drama for ITVx, it was the most compelling drama I'd seen in a long time, so good."

A third said: "Lucy Boynton should win a string of awards for her incredible performance as Ruth Ellis in "A Cruel Life". I thought I knew about the case. It turns out I knew almost nothing."

The series is produced by critically acclaimed producer Silverprint Pictures, whose portfolio includes Shetland, Vera and Flesh and Blood.

Kelly Jones has written all four scripts, and Angie Daniell (World On Fire, Vigil, The Long Call) has produced the series. Lee Haven Jones (Passenger, Feast, The Long Call) directs all four episodes.

All episodes of Cruel Love: The Ruth Ellis Story are on ITVX with episodes airing weekly at 9pm every Wednesday.