We may be living in the golden age of television, with standout dramas like Adolescence, Mr Bates vs The Post Office and Until I Kill You sparking widespread conversation. The latest to join the ranks is I Fought The Law, an upcoming ITV series starring Sheridan Smith as a grieving mother on a powerful quest for justice.
Here's everything you need to know about the next new drama that will get everyone talking.
What is I Fought The Law about?
Ann Ming's daughter, Julie, was murdered in 1989 when she was 22 years old, but the main suspect walked free after the jury failed to come to a verdict, and the case was ultimately acquitted.
Based on her book For the Love of Julie, the series follows Ann's (Sheridan Smith) 15-year battle of strength and determination as she tries to change the Double Jeopardy Law and finally put her child's killer behind bars after two mistrials.
AmazonThe book has been adapted for the screen by writer Jamie Crichton, who has worked on hit shows such as Grantchester and All Creatures Great and Small and Ann, who has been a consultant throughout the production, said:
“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.
"I’m overwhelmed that Sheridan Smith will be playing me. Having such an iconic and talented actress portray me is truly wonderful.”
Is I Fought The Law based on a true story?
Yes, sadly, I Fought The Law is based on a true story, which started when Julie Ming went missing in Billingham, County Durham, in November 1989 after her late-shift at a pizza parlour.
Her disappearance shocked her family, as the 22-year-old, who was a mother to a three-year-old boy, was close to her parents. Devastatingly, her mother, Ann Ming found her body in January 1990, concealed behind a bath panel in her terraced house, 80 days after she was murdered.
She was understandably angry with the police's efforts, as they had previously searched the property before but failed to locate her body. They did arrest William 'Billy' Dunlop and he went to trial, but two juries failed to reach a verdict and the case was acquitted.
Is there a trailer for I Fought The Law?
A trailer for I Fought The Law was released on social media, giving viewers their first look at Sheridan Smith in the role of Ann Ming.
The scene begins with Ann arriving at Julie's house and calling through the letterbox for her. Worried because she believes her daughter has gone missing, she calls the police, who tell her that "there's no evidence that anything happened to her inside that house".
Ann breaks down in tears before the film cuts to a court scene where the jury has given a "not guilty" verdict. After the suspect is acquitted, the devoted mother then begins her fight for justice, "How can the man who killed my little girl be free to keep on living his life? As long as there's breath in my lungs I'm gonna fight for our daughter".
Who's in the I Fought The Law cast?
• Sheridan Smith (Cilla, The Teacher) as Ann Ming
• Daniel York Loh (Strangers, Stan Lee's Lucky Man: The Bracelet Chronicles) as Charlie Ming
• Olivia Ng (Phoenix Rise) as Angela Ming
• Enzo Cilenti (Jekyll and Hyde, The Serpent Queen) as DS Mark Braithwaite
• Victoria Wyant (My Fault: London, Primate) as Julie Hogg
• Jake Davies (Screw, Sherwood) as Andrew
• Aimée Kelly (Hijack, Wolfblood) as Judith Morden
• Bryony Corrigan (The Walk-In, Good Omens) as WPC Elliot
• Marlowe Chan-Reeves (Doctor Who, Shetland)
• Andrew Lancel (Unforgotten, Marcella)
• Rufus Jones (W1A, Camping)
• Kent Riley (The Walk-In, The Tower)
• Jack James Ryan (Passenger, Shakespeare & Hathaway)
Speaking of the drama, Sheridan told ITV: “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.”
When is I Fought The Law on ITV?
I Fought The Law doesn't have a release date yet, but it will air in autumn 2025. We'll keep this page updated!
Arabella Horspool is a Commercial Content Writer for Yours at Bauer Media. She's a bookworm who is passionate about TV, film and theatre. She enjoys cooking, cinema trips, playing board games and walking her three dogs.