Sheridan Smith's new ITV drama I Fought the Law has been described as "tragic, moving, and deeply inspiring" by the official synopsis, yet nothing – and we do mean nothing – could possibly prepare you for the anguishing watch it turned out to be.
The four-part series follows the devastating real-life journey of a mother who, in the midst of unspeakable grief, found the strength to challenge a centuries-old Double Jeopardy Law to see her 22-year old daughter Julie's (Victoria Wyant) killer brought to justice.
Smith plays the unwavering mother Ann Ming, whose nightmare began when she discovered her daughter's body after multiple police failings. Ming then went on to endure a 15-year long battle "as she bravely 'fought the law'" (via the synopsis).
Very few could have successfully absorbed the weight of that pain and translated for an audience in a way that feels heavy without being overdone, acutely raw while still remaining grounded; Smith, however, can and does.
The emotional impact of her portrayal of Ann Ming's experience hits heavily and gracefully, leading to moments that will literally raise the hairs on your skin and leave you cold.
However, all the credit can't be given to Smith in that respect.
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I Fought the Law is also quite creative with some of the stylistic choices it makes which serve to support the tender and sensitive narrative. Flashbacks and hallucinations are cleverly peppered throughout to enrich the storytelling in a moving way.
The flashbacks provide fleeting moments of levity, just enough to show the love that drives Ann's actions despite the exhaustion of grief. They also allow the audience a little reprieve from the sorrow in a subtle and appropriate way.
The surrounding cast is also a credit to the show.
Daniel York Loh as the heartbroken father Charlie Ming gives a whole other nuanced perspective to grief than that of his wife Ann. While her pain is loud and propulsive, his is deep and sinking, quietly grinding.
Smith and Loh do a beautiful job of mapping the shifting dynamics of the pair as they navigate their marriage around this sudden and difficult situation.
I Fought the Law is a hard and heart-wrenching watch but the story is told in such a way that takes your hand and pulls you in, willing the audience to sit with the echoes of the family's real-life pain.
Though it is unavoidably sombre, Ann's dogged determination is powerful, it is love and it is beautiful; and told through her eyes makes the series utterly unmissable.
I Fought the Law is available to stream now on ITVX and starts tonight at 9pm on ITV1.
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TV writer, Digital Spy Janet completed her Masters degree in Magazine Journalism in 2013 and has continued to grow professionally within the industry ever since. For six years she honed her analytical reviewing skills at the Good Housekeeping institute eventually becoming Acting Head of Food testing. She also freelanced in the field of film and TV journalism from 2013-2020, when she interviewed A-List stars such as Samuel L Jackson, Colin Firth and Scarlett Johansson. In 2021 she joined Digital Spy as TV writer where she gets to delve into more of what she loves, watching copious amounts of telly all in the name of work. Since taking on the role she has conducted red carpet interviews with the cast of Bridgerton, covered the BAFTAs and been interviewed by BBC Radio and London Live. In her spare time she also moonlights as a published author, the book Gothic Angel.
