Sheridan Smith has long been known for her uncanny ability to breathe life into real people on screen, but her latest role in ITV’s four-part drama I Fought the Law might be her most challenging—and important—yet. Smith, acclaimed for her award-winning performances in Cilla and Mrs Biggs, takes on the role of Ann Ming, the English mother whose 22-year-old daughter, Julie, was murdered in 1989. What followed was not just a family’s quest for justice, but a 15-year battle that would change the course of British legal history.
When Julie was killed, the case seemed straightforward at first. But after two unsuccessful trials, the man accused admitted to the murder. However, the centuries-old British double jeopardy law—dating back 800 years—meant he could not be prosecuted again. The law, designed to prevent someone from being tried twice for the same crime, stood as an insurmountable barrier to justice for the Ming family. As reported by The Hollywood Reporter, Ann Ming’s response was not to accept defeat, but to embark on a relentless campaign to change the law itself.
That campaign, which would last 15 years, culminated in the passage of the Criminal Justice Act 2003. This landmark legislation carved out an exception to the double jeopardy rule, allowing retrials in cases where new and compelling evidence emerged. Thanks to Ming’s efforts, the man who had confessed to Julie’s murder was retried and convicted in 2006, finally receiving a life sentence.
It’s a story so powerful that screenwriter Jamie Crichton, known for his work on All Creatures Great and Small and The Last Kingdom, felt compelled to bring it to television. "It was Ann’s story, and it was such an incredible story. I couldn’t believe I didn’t know it," Crichton told The Hollywood Reporter. His first instinct was to focus the narrative entirely through Ann’s eyes. "So often, especially when you’re dealing with stories that have true crime elements, the story is told through the procedural point of view, from the detective’s point of view. I decided... to tell it all from Ann’s point of view as a mother."
The result is a drama that is deeply personal and emotionally charged, steering clear of sensationalizing the crime or its perpetrator. In fact, Crichton made the deliberate choice never to mention the murderer’s name in the series—a decision that extended to the credits as well. "That was really important to me from day one, because this is Ann’s story," he explained. "So often, especially when you’re watching true crime stories, they’re about the gruesomeness of the killer, and that’s where a fascination comes. It feels so exploitative... So, for me, it was just always important that this is not his story. This is Ann’s story."
For Smith, the responsibility of portraying Ann Ming weighed heavily. "It is scarier playing a real person, especially someone like Ann, who’s changed this 800-year-old law," she told The Hollywood Reporter. "I felt such responsibility to do her story justice, because she’s trusted these guys to tell her story. And at the end of the day, it’s her real life. It’s not just a TV show, it’s her life and her family, and it matters."
To prepare, Smith immersed herself in Ming’s world, poring over her book For the Love of Julie, watching documentaries, and researching online. The two women only met once, but Smith says she absorbed Ming’s mannerisms so completely that even her friends on set noticed subtle changes in her behavior. "I just try to embody the role," she said. "I know I can’t, because I haven’t been through that trauma, but I would beat myself up if I didn’t make myself feel at least a fraction of what she went through. So it was quite a tough shoot, but it was amazing, and an amazing team."
The production itself, crafted by Hera Pictures in association with All3Media International, was a collaborative effort that aimed to honor Ming’s legacy. From the script to the costume and makeup departments, every detail was meticulously considered. Smith even joked that she couldn’t recognize herself in the mirror, a testament to the transformative power of the team behind the scenes. "It just wasn’t me, and I didn’t see where I was. So it was a magic shoot. I’m really pleased. And I hope Ann is pleased. We’ve done well, if Ann’s happy."
Crichton echoed that sentiment, noting that Smith was the only choice for the role. "It’s impossible to speak for Ann, but I don’t know whether she would have let us tell her story if we hadn’t said we got Sheridan Smith on board," he said. "As soon as we said her name, she said that she absolutely adores her."
One of the unique aspects of I Fought the Law is its focus on Ann’s emotional journey, rather than on courtroom drama or police procedure. The series places Ming at the center of nearly every scene, allowing viewers to experience firsthand the frustration, grief, and determination that fueled her campaign. Smith admits that this intensity took its toll. "I feel that I was going slightly nuts," she recalled. "But it’s also a gift. I mean, Ann is constantly in a state of anxiety, and no one’s listening to her, and everyone is shutting doors in her face. And what’s brilliant about her story and Jamie’s scripts is that I could get myself panicked sometimes, because it’s just so hard to turn it off. It’s this hamster wheel, and you want to keep going."
Despite the heavy subject matter, there were moments of levity and empowerment, especially in scenes that showcased Ann’s strength. "There’s so much trauma in it, but those moments where a strength comes through are great," Smith shared. "And it’s great fun to play that and have a real release and, after doing lots of crying and internalized emotion or angst, be able to really show how Ann flew in there."
The series is set to launch on ITV and STV on Sunday, August 31, 2025, with streaming available on ITVX and STV Player. It will be followed by a documentary, I Fought the Law: The Ann Ming Story, offering further insight into Ming’s historic campaign. The hope, as expressed by both Smith and Crichton, is that Ming’s name—and her extraordinary fight—will finally become as well-known as the law she helped to change.
In the end, I Fought the Law is more than just a true crime drama. It’s a testament to the power of one woman’s determination to right a centuries-old wrong, and a reminder that even the most entrenched institutions can be transformed by the courage of ordinary people.
