ITV has what has been described as a "heart-breaking, real-life story" on the way, led by UK drama favourite Sheridan Smith.
The new series, I Fought The Law, is based on the book For The Love of Julie, the "incredible and moving memoir" written by Ann Ming. First published in 2008, it tells the story of a mother's "fight for justice to convict her daughter's murderer for a crime that he thought could never be punished".
Ming's daughter Julie was just 22 when she died in 1989. Her body was found behind a bath panel, months after she went missing, and in the pursuit of justice Ming took on the Double Jeopardy Law to eventually see her child's killer put behind bars.
The tag-line of the book reads: "A nightmare come true. A mother's courage. A desperate fight for justice." It has now been adapted for the small screen by Jamie Crichton, whose TV writing credits also include All Creatures Great and Small and Grantchester.
For ITV's four-part dramatisation, which has already been filming, Ann Ming acted as a consultant. I Fought The Law is being produced by the UK-based production company Hera Pictures, which is also behind HBO's Mary & George, ITV's Honour (which recently trended on Netflix) and Jodie Comer's British film The End We Start From.
In a press statement, Ming said of the drama: "I am very pleased that Hera Pictures will tell the story of my campaign to overturn the Double Jeopardy Law. My daughter's killer was wrongfully acquitted, and a number of years later confessed to her murder, for which he could only be prosecuted for perjury due to the 800-year-old Double Jeopardy Law. I wasn't going to let this stand in my way of getting justice for Julie."
What to Read Next
Sheridan Smith will take on the role of playing Ann Ming in the ITV series, and Ming has described feeling "overwhelmed" at the prospect. "Having such an iconic and talented actress portray me is truly wonderful," she added.
The BAFTA-winning actor – who has played a number of real-life people in her TV career – has said: "I am so honoured to have been asked to play the role of Ann Ming, a mother so determined to fight for justice for her murdered daughter that she spent 15 years campaigning for the Double Jeopardy Law to be changed.
"She is a truly courageous and remarkable woman to whom we all owe a debt of gratitude."
So when is I Fought the Law arriving to our screens? Well, we don't have a release date just yet, but filming started in August 2024 in North East England's Teesside and its surrounding areas.
We've also had a first look at Sheridan Smith in-character on the set, which revealed her transformation for the role.
The cast of the drama also includes Daniel York Loh (Scarborough), Enzo Cilenti (Luther, The Crown), Marlowe Chan-Reeves (Doctor Who), Kent Riley (Mr Bates vs The Post Office), Andrew Lancel (Unforgotten) and Jake Davies (Grace).
I Fought the Law is coming to ITV.
TV Editor, Digital Spy Laura has been watching television for over 30 years and professionally writing about entertainment for almost 10 of those. Previously at LOOK and now heading up the TV desk at the UK's biggest TV and movies site Digital Spy, Laura has helped steer conversations around some of the most popular shows on the box. Laura has appeared on Channel 5 News and radio to talk viewing habits and TV recommendations. As well as putting her nerd-level Buffy knowledge to good use during an IRL meet with Sarah Michelle Gellar, Laura also once had afternoon tea with One Direction, has sat around the fire pit of the Love Island villa, spoken to Sir David Attenborough about the world's oceans and even interviewed Rylan from inside the Big Brother house (housemate status, forever pending).
