Sheridan Smith has taken on the leading role in ITV’s upcoming drama I Fought the Law – and the harrowing tale – based on a true story – is one of both heartbreak and inspiration. 

Sheridan, 44, plays the part of Ann Ming, whose daughter Julie Hogg was brutally murdered in 1989.

I Fought the Law is based on Ann’s real-life fight for justice, and her tireless effort to change an 800-year-old double jeopardy law.

Julie’s killer had twice escaped jail after, controversially, two juries failed to find him guilty. He later confessed to murdering the 22-year-old, knowing the double jeopardy law would protect him.

The mini-series will reexamine how Ann battled for 15 years to ensure her daughter’s murderer finally received the punishment he deserved.

Here’s everything you need to know about I Fought the Law on ITV, including plot, cast, start date and number of episodes.

Is Sheridan Smith drama I Fought the Law a true story?

Like ITV’s Mr Bates vs The Post Office, I Fought the Law is an inspirational true life story of a fight for justice. The script is based on Ann Ming’s book, For the Love of Julie, and written by All Creatures Great and Small and Grantchester screenwriter Jamie Crichton.

It has been billed as “heartbreaking” but also “inspiring” by ITV.

A synopsis says: “I Fought the Law 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.”

It continues: “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.”

What happened to Julie Hogg?

Julie was just 22 when she was murdered. She was separated from her husband Andrew, and mum to their three-year-old son Kevin.

After finishing her shift as a pizza delivery driver, Julie vanished. Her disappearance was initially treated as a missing person’s case by police.

But 80 days later, her mother Ann – a former hospital theatre nurse – made a horrifying discovery. Despite Julie’s house being searched by 29 police officers, Ann found her daughter’s body in her bathroom behind a bath panel.

Ann later said: “To this day, I can still smell the putrefied smell which was our daughter. As a family, we are damaged beyond repair and will never be the same again as Julie will never return home.”

Who killed Julie Hogg?

The discovery of Julie’s body sparked a huge murder enquiry, resulting in labourer Billy Dunlop being arrested and charged. Julie’s keys were found under his floorboards with Dunlop’s fingerprints on them.

Dunlop went on trial twice in 1991 for murdering Julie but, twice, the jury failed to reach a verdict.

The trials had heard that Dunlop had strangled the young mum and sexually assaulted her. He had turned up at her house in the early hours, following a fight at a strip club. Dunlop was described as an ‘acquaintance’ of Julie’s and he lived two roads away.

Dunlop attacked Julie after she poked fun at injuries he’d sustained in the fight earlier in the evening. He wrapped her body in a blanket and hid Julie behind her bath.

Shockingly, Dunlop was formally acquitted as a rule in law means prosecutors cannot ask for a third trial.

When did Dunlop confess?

Ten years after his acquittal, Dunlop was in prison for an assault on another woman. He confessed to Julie’s murder in the hope it would help shorten his sentence.

Dunlop was aware of the UK’s 800-year double jeopardy law, knowing the rule meant anyone acquitted by jury could not be retried for the same crime.

All Dunlop could be prosecuted for was perjury. This is when a person makes a false statement under oath. He was jailed for just six years.

It was following Dunlop’s confession that Ann made it her mission to change the law.

How did Ann Ming change the law?

I Fought the Law will follow the story of how Ann took on the Criminal Justice System, the Crown Prosecution Service and the Law Commission. She also campaigned to defence barristers, the Government, the Lord Chancellor, the Attorney General and two Home Secretaries.

Ann fought for 15 years and, finally, she triumphed. As a result of her strenuous efforts, The Crown Prosecution Service now permits retrials in very serious offences “where new and compelling evidence has come to light”.

Dunlop was the first man to face a retrial under the new law. In 2006, he was jailed for life after pleading guilty to Julie’s murder. Dunlop has to serve a minimum of 17 years. He’s still in jail now.

Ann was awarded an MBE in The Queen’s Birthday Honours List in 2007 for services to the criminal justice system.

Who’s in the cast of I Fought the Law with Sheridan Smith?

BAFTA-award winning actress Sheridan Smith leads the cast in I Fought the Law. She plays Julie’s mother Ann and has described it as an “honour”.

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.”

Sheridan has starred in a string of huge shows over the years, beginning her rise to fame in Two Pints of Larger and a Packet of Crisps. Gavin & Stacey fans will know her as Rudi, while Jonathan Creek viewers will remember her as Joey Ross.

Sheridan took the lead in dramas including Mrs Biggs, for which she won a BAFTA, and Cleaning Up. She starred in series one of Channel 5’s The Teacher. Sheridan also scooped a National Television Award in 2015 for her portrayal of Cilla Black in the ITV drama Cilla.

Sheridan will star in I Fought the Law alongside Scarborough actor Daniel York Loh. He plays Ann’s husband Charlie. Bridget Jones’ Baby actor Enzo Cilenti takes on the role of DS Mark Braithwaite.

Up and coming actress Victoria Wyant plays Julie. The ITV drama also stars Marlowe Chan-Reeves, Olivia Ng, Jake Davies and Kent Riley. Jack James Ryan, Andrew Lancel, and Rufus Jones complete the line-up.

How many episodes are there?

I Fought the Law is a four-part series. The story will play out across four, hour-long episodes.

This follows the same format as ITV’s Mr Bates vs The Post Office, which won the 2025 BAFTA for limited drama.

When’s the start date? How can I watch it?

I Fought the Law will air on ITV and ITVX this autumn.

ITV is yet to confirm the exact start date, so watch this space for an official announcement.

Read more: Imposter on Channel 5: Start date, and plot of new ‘bitter family dispute’ thriller starring Kym Marsh

Sheridan Smith drama I Fought the Law will air on ITV1 and ITVX this autumn.