I Fought the Law is ITV’s latest true life crime drama and has telly favourite Sheridan Smith at the helm of its cast. 

The four-part mini series follows the inspirational, emotional and gruelling journey of Ann Ming, who fought to overturn an 800-year-old law.

The double jeopardy law was standing in the way of justice for her murdered daughter Julie Hogg. Julie was just 22 when she was strangled and sexually assaulted by killer William ‘Billy’ Dunlop.

But despite confessing to the crime, Dunlop later escaped punishment as he had previously been acquitted for the murder. The law meant a person could not be tried for the same crime twice if they had already been acquitted.

Ann, played by Sheridan, spent 15 years fighting to get the law changed before a landmark ruling eventually went in her favour. Julie’s killer was finally jailed and handed a life sentence.

Here’s a rundown of all of the cast who appear in ITV’s I Fought the Law.

Sheridan Smith as Ann Ming

Sheridan Smith, 44, says it was an “honour” to play the part of grieving mother Ann Ming in I Fought the Law. The actress admits: “Whenever I play a real person, I really want to feel how they felt. I didn’t go to drama school and I haven’t been trained as an actor, so I don’t really know how to turn those feelings on and off, I just really try to go there emotionally.”

Sheridan got her first big break in her late teens, landing the part of Emma Kavanagh in the huge BBC sitcom The Royle Family. She went on to enjoy small roles in shows including Where the Heart Is, Doctors and Holby City.

In 2001, she was cast as Janet in the BBC3 sitcom Two Pints of Larger and a Packet of Crisps. Sheridan played the role, opposite Ralph Little, Will Mellor and Natalie Casey, for 10 years. A string of small parts followed, in shows such as Lark Rise to Candleford and The Bill.

Sheridan is well known for playing is Rudi in Gavin & Stacey. She joined the cast as the sister of Smithy (James Corden) in 2008 and reprised the role last year for Gavin & Stacey: The Finale.

Jonathan Creek fans will remember her as Joey Ross, and she won the BAFTA for best actress in 2013 for her portrayal of Charmaine Biggs in Mrs Biggs. Sheridan also scooped a National Television Award for ITV biopic Cilla, in which she played the late TV star Cilla Black in 2015.

Sheridan shone as real people in The C Word and The Moorside

That same year, Sheridan starred alongside former EastEnders star Paul Nicholls in The C Word, a BBC drama based on the real-life story of journalist Lisa Lynch, who launched a hugely popular blog following her diagnosis of breast cancer.

In 2017, she portrayed another real-life person in another BBC drama, The Moorside. The two-parter followed the disappearance of little girl Shannon Matthews, who vanished in her hometown of Dewsbury in 2008. Sheridan played Julie Bushby, friend of Shannon’s mother, Karen. who was eventually exposed for orchestrating her daughter’s disappearance.

Sheridan, who is mum to five-year-old son Billy, has also enjoyed a successful stage career. She’s taken the lead in a string of West End shows, including Legally Blonde, Funny Girl and Shirley Valentine.

Read more: How Julie Hogg’s mum changed the double jeopardy law and where Ann Ming is now

Daniel York Loh portrays Charlie Ming

Ann Ming’s husband Charlie in I Fought the Law is played by Daniel York Loh. In the ITV drama, Charlie will be seen coming to the dreadful realisation his daughter Julie has been murdered. He’s also by Ann’s side as she fights to change the law.

Daniel was born in Portsmouth, Hants, to an English mother and Singaporean father. As a teen, he went off the rails. Daniel took illegal drugs and was involved in petty crime.

Thankfully, drama school turned Daniel’s life around and he landed a job in a theatre play in Singapore. Ever since, Daniel has split his time working as an actor, screenwriter and director in both the UK and Singapore.

Daniel’s Hollywood breakout was alongside Leonardo DiCaprio in the 2000 movie The Beach. He’s since appeared in the West End, performing with the Royal Shakespeare Company and the National Theatre. In 2018, he played a hotel manager in the film Scarborough.

Two years ago, Daniel made his Netflix debut. He voiced the character of crime lord Pagan Min in the animated adult sci-fi series Captain Laserhawk: A Blood Dragon Remix. Daniel is also a keen musician. He’s a member of the alt-folk punk trio Wondermare.

In real life, Charlie Ming died in 2013 following a battle with Parkinson’s disease.

Enzo Cilenti as DS Mark Braithwaite

DS Mark Braithwaite from Cleveland Police was involved throughout the Julie Hogg case. He’s portrayed in I Fought the Law by Enzo Cilenti.

Enzo’s full name is Vincenzo Leonardo ‘Enzo’ Cilenti and he was born in Bradford, West Yorkshire, to Italian parents. After leaving the University of Nottingham with a degree in French and Hispanic Studies, he ventured into acting.

His first role was in the ITV police drama Trial & Retribution in 1998. Enzo has since appeared in a list of hit British shows, including Spooks, Luther, Prisoners’ Wives and Grantchester.

Enzo’s Stateside career is pretty impressive, too. He played Mamoun Sharif in American military police series NCIS. Game of Thrones fans will remember Enzo for his portrayal of Yezzan zo Qaggaz.

In 2023, Enzo had a guest role in Netflix’s The Crown. He played Mario Brenna, the paparazzo who allegedly made millions from taking photos of  Princess Diana and Dodi Al Fayed. This year, he starred in season 7 of Black Mirror as Ralph Redwell, Clara’s co-star lover in the episode Hotel Reverie.

Victoria Wyant plays Julie Hogg

The first episode of I Fought the Law shows Ann’s close relationship with her daughter Julie Hogg. Along with Julie’s young son Kevin, they spend every day together. But tragedy strikes when Julie suddenly goes missing overnight.

Victoria Wyant plays Julie in the ITV drama. The rising star began her acting career by taking part in local youth club shows. She’s also spent her life jet-setting between England and South Korea, where she has extensive family.

In 2022, Victoria graduated from The Oxford School of Drama. I Fought the Law is her first mainstream TV role. She has previously appeared in streamers, with a small part in Prime Video‘s feature film My Fault: London. Last year, she also appeared in the Paramount Pictures horror Primate.

Marlowe Chan-Reeves as Gary

In I fought the Law, Marlowe Chan-Reeves portrays Angela and Charlie’s son Gary. Although Marlowe only graduated from Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts in London last year, his career is on the up.

He’s already played the lead in many stage roles and has broken into TV, too. Last year, he played Nathan, the son of Chinese restaurant owner JJ Huang (Nicolas Goh), in the BBC drama Shetland.

Doctor Who fans may also recognise Marlowe from the 2022 Easter special, Legend of the Sea Devils. He starred opposite Doctor Who’s first female actress, TV fave Jodie Whittaker.

I Fought the Law cast: Olivia Ng plays Angela

Angela is Ann and Charlie Ming’s youngest daughter and Julie’s little sister. Angela is played by upcoming actress Olivia Ng.

I Fought the Law is Olivia’s second big TV role. Last year, she starred in 17 episodes of BBC teen drama series Phoenix Rise, playing the character Ruby.

Jake Davies as Julie’s husband Matthew

Ann’s daughter Julie was estranged from her husband when she vanished. In real life, her husband was called Andrew, but his name has been changed to Matthew in I Fought the Law. Matthew is played by actor Jake Davies.

Viewers who enjoyed the Channel 4 gritty prison drama Screw are likely to recognise Jake. He played prisoner Stephen Childs in series two, who confessed to killing prison officer Toby shortly before his release. In 2021, Jake starred as Michael Flitcroft, son of novice golfer Maurice Flitcroft, in the comedy film The Phantom of the Open.

Fans of Two Brothers Pictures dramas may also remember Jake from series two of BBC’s The Missing. Jake played Matthew Webster, the brother of missing girl Alice. Keeley Hawes and David Morrissey played his on-screen parents, Gemma and Sam. 

Buddy Wignall-Ho and Harry Jones play Kevin

Ann Ming fought for 15 years to overturn the UK’s 800-year-old double jeopardy law. The same time frame will play out in I Fought the Law. This means two actors share the role of Kevin, Julie’s son.

Kevin was just three years old when his mum vanished following a night shift at a pizza shop. Child actor Buddy Wignall-Ho plays the younger Kevin – and he’s got an impressive career for an eight year old! He’s starred in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang in London’s West End, works as a voiceover and models in ads. Buddy’s also a competitive ballet and acro dancer.

The real-life Kevin has since commented on Buddy’s parent-managed Instagram account, telling him: “Well done Buddy! I’ve just watched you in episode 1 and you did really well. Proud of you and I know my gran is too.”

Harry Jones plays Kevin as a teenager. I Fought the Law is Harry’s biggest acting job to date. He previously starred in the short film Bury Your Nephew. The film aired at Sunderland’s Shorts Film Festival and starred Karl Pilkington, famed for The Ricky Gervais Show, as the lead.

Kent Riley plays DI Keith Arnold in I Fought the Law

Hollyoaks fans will definitely recognise Kent Riley in I Fought the Law. He plays Detective Inspector Keith Arnold in the four-part drama.

Kent is best known as Zak Ramsey in Hollyoaks. He played the role in the Channel 4 soap from 2004 to 2010. Fans will remember Zak’s unlikely relationship with Michaela McQueen and his strained relationship with his disabled sister Hayley.

Since then, Kent has enjoyed small roles in ITV’s Coronation Street and the BBC crime drama Happy Valley. Im 2024, he also featured in hit ITV true life drama Mr Bates vs The Post Office.

Ron Cook as Frank Cook MP

Frank Cook was serving as Ann Ming’s local Labour MP during her campaign to change the law. In the ITV drama, actor Ron Cook takes on the part.

Ron’s acting career dates back to the 70s, with him starring in films including 102 Dalmatians, Hot Fuzz and The King’s Man. On the small screen, Ron’s appeared in Doctor Who, Foyle’s War, Waking the Dead, Silent Witness and Midsummer Murders.

Mr Selfridge fans will no doubt recognise him as company chief accountant Arthur Crabb. Ron also played Peter, a retired train driver befriended by Ronnie Biggs, in ITV’s Mrs Biggs.

Ron portrayed Stan Sturgess in the BBC true crime drama, The Salisbury Poisonings. Stan is the father of real life victim Dawn Sturgess, who died from Novichok poisoning in 2018.

Andrew Lancel is Guy Whitburn QC

The actor playing Guy Whitburn QC, who leads the prosecution case at the first trial of Julie Hogg’s then-alleged killer, will be a familiar face to many.

Andrew Lancel has a string of high-profile acting credits to his name, including in Cardiac Arrest, City Central, Bad Girls, and Queer as Folk.

He’s probably known to most TV viewers for his roles in The Bill (as DI Neil Manson) between 2003 and 2010, and in Coronation Street as villain Frank Foster, between 2011 – 2012. He won Villain of the Year at the British Soap Awards, after Foster raped Carla Connor the night before their wedding when she dumped him.

Who else stars in the cast of ITV’s I Fought the Law?

Viewers will see Ann Ming coming face-to-face with top Government officials, police officers and eminent lawyers. In I Fought the Law, Richard Rycroft plays Justice Calvert-Smith. Game of Thrones fans will recognise Richard for his portrayal Maester Wolkan.

George Potts takes on the role of Inspector Wilkinson. George played Ken Weaver in Channel 4’s Ackley Bridge. He was a regular in The Keith Lemon Sketch Show and appeared in the 2009 movie, Dorian Gray.

It’s a deliberate decision not to name Julie Hogg’s murderer, William ‘Billy’ Dunlop, or credit the actor who plays him specifically as the killer in the series. Find out who plays Julie’s killer and why his identity is hidden here. 

Full cast list of I Fought the Law on ITV

Sheridan Smith stars as Ann Ming.

Daniel York Loh plays Charlie Ming.

Victoria Wyant is Julie Hogg.

Enzo Clienti portrays DS Mark Braithwaite.

Olivia Ng plays Angela Ming.

Marlowe Chan-Reeves is Gary Ming.

Jake Davies as Matthew Hogg.

Child stars Buddy Wignall-Ho and Harry Jones both play the part of Kevin Hogg.

Kent Riley portrays DI Keith Arnold.

Ron Cook takes on the role of Frank Cook MP.

Dana Haqjoo stars as Mr Ahmed.

Coronation Street’s Andrew Lancel plays Guy Whitburn QC.

Rufus Jones, from W1A, portrays Lord Goldsmith.

Nigel Betts – aka Emmerdale’s Eddie Hope – is D.C.C Nigel Johnstone.

Jessica Johnson, from School for Seduction, plays Bev Fowler.

Comedian and actor Steve Furst is Alan Wilkie QC.

Vera actor Billy Gunnion plays Sean Fowler.

Theatre actress Bryony Corrigan, known for the Go Wrong plays, is WPC Elliott.

Aimée Kelly will portray Sarah Gray.

Luke Cinque-White, who has appeared in The Crown, is Sgt Murphy.

Ian Barritt is Lord Gittens.

James Tucker, who usually appears on stage, plays Home Secretary Jack Straw.

Jack James Ryan as William Dunlop

Read more: 10 of the best ‘hidden gem’ TV dramas you can stream for free right now

I Fought the Law will start at 9pm on ITV1 and ITVX on August 31, 2025.