Sheridan Smith is to star in ITV's gritty, new drama 'I Fought the Law'.
Sheridan Smith to star in gritty new ITV drama I Fought the Law
The 42-year-old actress is to portray Ann Ming, who battled for 15 years to change the Double Jeopardy law so her daughter’s murderer could finally face justice, having been controversially acquitted following two mistrials.
Sheridan is "so honoured" to have landed the part of Ann, who she praised as a "truly courageous and remarkable woman".
She 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."
Ann, who will act as consultant throughout the production process, is delighted that the "iconic and talented" 'Cilla' star will portray her in the four-part series.
She said: "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."
Senior Drama Commissioner Helen Ziegler, who will oversee production of the drama on behalf of the channel, added: "It’s a privilege to be working with Sheridan, Jamie and Hera Pictures to bring Ann Ming’s extraordinary and unwavering fight for justice for her daughter to ITV.
"Ann took on the establishment, overturned the law and made history. She is a reminder of the power one voice can have."
'All Creatures Great and Small' scribe Jamie Crichton has penned the script, based on Ann’s book 'For The Love of Julie', which tells how Ann and her family dealt with the disappearance of mother-of-one Julie in Billingham, Cleveland, in November 1989 after working a late shift at a local pizza parlour. She died aged 22.
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.
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