Sheridan Smith lands lead role in new ITV true crime drama
Sheridan Smith has landed her next lead role in new ITV true crime drama I Fought the Law.
The actress will play the role of Ann Ming, who fought for 15 years so that her daughter's killer could face justice after being acquitted after two mistrials.
As part of her fight, she took on the Double Jeopardy Law that prevented an accused person from being tried again on the same charges.
The series is based on Ming's book For the Love of Julie, which explains the aftermath of daughter Julie's disappearance in Billingham, Cleveland in November 1989.
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Ann tragically found Julie's body concealed in the bathroom of her home two months later, despite extensive searches by forensics, and she put pressure on the Cleveland Constabulary to learn what happened and bring the man responsible to justice.
"In her steadfast and indomitable style and despite her grief, Ann took on the Criminal Justice System, the Crown Prosecution Service, the Law Commission, eminent Defence Barristers in television debates, the Government, the Lord Chancellor, the Attorney General, and two Home Secretaries as she ‘fought the law’," the synopsis adds.
Smith 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.”
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Ming herself is working as a consultant on the show, and added: “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.”
I Fought the Law will be written by Grantchester's Jamie Crichton, with filming due to begin this summer.
I Fought the Law will air on ITV.
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