I Fought The Law: Sheridan Smith Headlines Groundbreaking True Crime Drama on ITV

A Powerful New Drama Arrives on British Television

I Fought The Law, a British four-part true crime drama television series for ITV written by Jamie Crichton, premiered in the United Kingdom on ITV on 31 August 2025.

The Story Behind the Series

The series tells the devastating true story of Ann Ming – a mother who took on the legal system after the brutal murder of her daughter, Julie, in 1989. This powerful drama explores a real-life fight for justice that spanned nearly two decades, and changed British law forever.

Star-Studded Cast and Performances

The drama features Sheridan Smith in the lead role as Ann, alongside Daniel York Loh and a stellar supporting cast. Smith, who is currently considered one of the UK’s finest acting talents, delivers an absorbing and powerful portrayal of Ann, capturing both the fighting qualities of the character and the emotional turmoil she endured throughout the process of ending the double jeopardy law.

Critical Reception

The series has been highly praised, with critics noting that this is what drama should be like. The story is well written and performed by the entire cast, creating an utterly amazing, heartwarming, and enthralling viewing experience.

Historical Significance

Based on Ann Ming’s non-fiction book ‘For the Love of Julie’, the series chronicles her long campaign to overturn the 800-year-old British double jeopardy law. The story took Ann all the way to the House of Lords, as she fought to change this centuries-old legal principle.

The production has been commended for doing full justice to the story of Ann Ming and her murdered daughter Julie Hogg, with the entire cast delivering performances of the highest standard.