FIRST LOOK I Fought The Law

Sheridan Smith leads this true story of a mother’s fight for justice.

ITV1 has today released a number of first look images from their new drama I Fought The Law, starring Sheridan Smith as Ann Ming.

I Fought The Law tells the heart breaking and inspiring real-life story of a mother who, driven by unimaginable grief, finds strength to challenge the centuries-old Double Jeopardy Law to see her daughter’s murderer finally brought to justice after a 15-year battle.

The new four-part drama follows the tragic, moving, and deeply inspiring journey of the Ming family after the murder of their beloved 22-year-old daughter, Julie.

In the wake of multiple police failings, Ann relentlessly pressures the authorities to uncover the truth and ensure the man responsible is brought to justice, despite initially seeming he will get away with murder.

Driven by love, grief, and extraordinary determination, Ann and her family campaign tirelessly in Julie’s name. In her steadfast and indomitable style, Ann takes on the entire justice system, challenging the Crown Prosecution Service, the Law Commission, prominent defence barristers in television debates, the Government, the Lord Chancellor, the Attorney General, and two Home Secretaries - as she bravely ‘fought the law.’

Starring alongside Sheridan Smith as Ann Ming are Daniel York Loh as Ann’s husband, Charlie Ming, and Enzo Cilenti as DS Mark Braithwaite.

I Fought The Law also stars Marlowe Chan-Reeves, Olivia Ng, Jake Davies, Victoria Wyant, Kent Riley, Jack James Ryan, Andrew Lancel and Rufus Jones.

Ann Ming acted as a consultant throughout the production process, and speaking about the television adaptation, she said "I am very pleased that ITV and Hera Pictures will tell the story of my campaign to overturn the Double Jeopardy Law. My daughter’s killer was wrongfully acquitted, and I wasn’t going to let this law 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."

On portraying Ann Ming, Sheridan 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."

Produced by Hera Pictures, I Fought The Law is written by Jamie Crichton and is based on Ann Ming’s book For The Love of Julie. It's is directed by Erik Richter Strand and produced by Mark Hedges, with Liza Marshall and Charlotte Webber executive producing for Hera Pictures.

Once the drama has aired, ITV1 will also air I Fought The Law: The Ann Ming Story, a documentary narrated by Sheridan Smith, which takes a detailed look at the case from Julie’s disappearance in 1989 until the murderer was retried and jailed for life in 2006, becoming the first person convicted under the changed law.

It'll feature exclusive interviews with Ann, her family and friends, retired police officers, and other key individuals close to the story. It will also include rare archive and images that tell the story of one mother’s unwavering resolve to get justice for her daughter.

The documentary will show Ann’s extraordinary campaign, her unshakable determination, and how her fight for justice has since helped secure other landmark convictions, including those of Stephen Lawrence's killers.

I Fought The Law starts this autumn on ITV1