Law Battle: Cast, Synopsis, Trailer, First Glimpses, and Comprehensive Overview
In the heart of Britain, a mother's relentless pursuit of justice has become the centrepiece of a captivating ITV drama series, "I Fought The Law". The show, starring Sheridan Smith as Ann Ming, tells the true story of a mother's unwavering determination to bring her daughter's killer to justice, despite the legal barriers imposed by the double jeopardy law.
Ann Ming's campaign was ignited by the wrongful acquittal of her daughter Julie Hogg's murderer, William Dunlop, in 1991. Two trials ended in hung juries, and due to the ancient double jeopardy rule, Dunlop could not be retried. However, three years later, while serving a prison sentence for another crime, Dunlop confessed to Julie's murder. Yet, the law at the time prevented him from being prosecuted again for the same crime.
This injustice sparked Ann Ming's 15-year campaign to have the double jeopardy law changed. She argued that while she understood the importance of protecting against wrongful convictions, the law was outdated and unfair in cases where there was a proven wrongful acquittal, such as her daughter's case. Ann Ming's persistence and refusal to accept the legal barrier eventually led to a historic change in British law that allowed retrials if new and compelling evidence emerged.
The series, produced by Hera Pictures in association with All3Media International, follows not only the legal battle but also the emotional journey of Ann and her family after Julie's disappearance in 1989 in Billingham, Cleveland. It showcases the strength Ann drew from eventually finding Julie's body and being vindicated in her suspicions from the start, which contributed to her fight to change an 800-year-old law.
Daniel York Loh portrays Ann's husband, Charlie Ming, in the series. Other actors in the series include Marlowe Chan-Reeves, Olivia Ng, Jake Davies, Victoria Wyant, Kent Riley, Jack James Ryan, Andrew Lancel, and Rufus Jones. Erik Richter Strand directs the series, and Mark Hedges produces it.
The documentary, narrated by Sheridan Smith, provides a detailed look at the case from Julie's disappearance in 1989 until the murderer was retried and jailed for life in 2006. The documentary, titled "I Fought The Law: The Ann Ming Story", features exclusive interviews with Ann, her family and friends, retired police officers, and other key individuals close to the story.
Ann Ming's campaign has not only resulted in a change in the law but has also helped secure other landmark convictions, including those of Stephen Lawrence's killers. She expressed her pleasure that Hera Pictures will tell the story of her campaign to overturn the double jeopardy law.
Sheridan Smith, who has previously starred in shows such as Four Lives, The Moorside, The Huntsman: Winter's War, The Castaways, Cilla, and Mrs Bigg's, is honoured to have been asked to play the role of Ann Ming. She considers Ann a courageous and remarkable woman.
The four-part drama series will air on ITV1 and ITVX in 2025. All3Media International will be responsible for the international distribution of the series and the accompanying documentary.
- I Fought The Law, a captivating ITV drama series, stars Sheridan Smith as Ann Ming, an actress known for her roles in movies-and-tv like Four Lives, The Moorside, and Cilla.
- Produced by Hera Pictures in association with All3Media International, the four-part series shows Ann's unwavering campaign to change the double jeopardy law after her daughter's killer was wrongfully acquitted in 1991.
- The series also features Daniel York Loh, who portrays Ann's husband, Charlie Ming, and a cast comprising Marlowe Chan-Reeves, Olivia Ng, Jake Davies, Victoria Wyant, Kent Riley, Jack James Ryan, Andrew Lancel, and Rufus Jones.
- While the series shows the legal battle and the emotional journey of Ann and her family following her daughter's disappearance in 1989, a documentary, titled "I Fought The Law: The Ann Ming Story," provides a detailed account of the case from Julie's disappearance until the murderer was retried and jailed for life in 2006.
- Sheridan Smith, the actress behind Ann Ming, has expressed her pleasure at portraying this courageous and remarkable woman, considering her role an honour.
- The series is set to air on ITV1 and ITVX in 2025, with All3Media International handling worldwide distribution of both the series and the accompanying documentary.
