How to watch Sheridan Smith's new drama I Fought The Law

ITV/STV bosses and Hera Pictures have announced a brand new drama called I Fought The Law, which is based on Ann Ming's book For The Love of Julie.

Starring actress Sheridan Smith, the new series will recount the real-life story of how mother-of-three Ann Ming battled for 15 years so that her daughter’s murderer could finally face justice, having been controversially acquitted following two mistrials.

Ann Ming, who will act as consultant throughout the production process, commented: “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."

What is it about?

Written by screenwriter Jamie Crichton, his scripts are based on Ann’s book For The Love of Julie which tells how Ann and her family dealt with Julie’s disappearance in Billingham, Cleveland in November 1989, after working her late shift at a local pizza parlour.

ITV say of the drama's plot: 'Mother to three-year-old, Kevin, and married to husband, Andrew, Julie was only 22 when she died. Raised in a loving home, she was incredibly close to her parents, Ann and Charlie. Tragically, Ann found Julie’s body concealed in the bathroom of her modest terraced house in January 1990, 80 days after it was hidden behind the bath panel by her killer. This was in spite of extensive searches of the property by police forensics teams in the days after her disappearance, who failed to detect her body.

'Dissatisfied with Cleveland Constabulary and their investigation, Ann challenged senior officers and applied pressure on the police to discover what had happened to her daughter and to prosecute the man who was guilty of her murder.

'The drama follows Ann and her family, as they campaign tirelessly in Julie’s name.

'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.’

When is it on TV?

The series started at 9pm on Sunday 31st August. All episodes are now available to watch on ITVX.

In late July, the first look trailer was released, alongside the caption: 'Coming soon to ITV...Sheridan Smith stars as Ann Ming in I Fought The Law, a powerful new drama exploring one mother's unwavering fight for justice. #IFoughtTheLaw'. (sic)

Check out the first look images below:

How many episodes?

The drama is made-up of four episodes.

What channel is it on?

I Fought The Law airs on ITV1 and ITVX, and STV1 and STV Player.

Who is in the cast?

The Teacher and Cleaning Up actress Sheridan Smith will play the lead role of Ann Ming.

Speaking about her involvement, Sheridan 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.”

In August 2024, it was announced that Scarborough actor Daniel York Loh will play the role of Charlie Ming, whilst The Crown's and Enzo Cilenti will feature as as DS Mark Braithwaite.

Marlowe Chan-Reeves, Olivia Ng, Jake Davies, Victoria Wyant, Kent Riley, Jack James Ryan Andrew Lancel and Rufus Jones will also star in the new series.

See the cast list below:

Sheridan Smith

Daniel York Loh

Enzo Cilenti

Victoria Wyant

Marlowe Chan‑Reeves

Olivia Ng

Jake Davies

Kent Riley

Jack James Ryan

Andrew Lancel

Rufus Jones

Aimée Kelly

Bryony Corrigan

Buddy Wignall‑Ho

Where was it filmed?

Starting in August 2024, filming took place in Teesside and surrounding areas in the North East of England.

Camera crews were spotted in Shiremoor, North Tyneside in mid-August last year.

Screenwriter Jamie Crichton said: “As soon as I heard Ann's story, of her iron resolve and unbelievable courage to see justice done in the face of adversity, I knew this was one that had to be told.

"Ann is a shining beacon of what can be achieved if you stop at nothing to make your voice heard. In an age when it's all too easy to feel helpless, we need more Ann Mings in the world.”

I Fought The Law will air on ITV/STV at the end of August.

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