If there’s one thing Sheridan Smith can do, it’s a phenomenal TV drama.
I Fought the Law – ITV’s new four-part series – aired over the weekend, with fans already describing it as ‘incredible.’ Sheridan stars as Ann Ming, a heartbroken mother who is campaigning to change the double jeopardy law and ensure that her daughter’s murderer is convicted in a ‘harrowing’ 15-year battle.
‘Sheridan Smith’s performance will blow your socks off,’ wrote one viewer on X (formerly Twitter). ‘I am in awe of her.’
‘Watched all episodes of I Fought The Law,’ wrote another. ‘Excellent writing, superb acting from everyone, and set design during the different decades were on point. I was not prepared for the final scene. I sobbed, so powerful.’
Making the show even more heartbreaking is the true story it’s based on. With the ITV show fast gaining praise, here’s everything you need to know about I Fought The Law – including what happened to Julie Hogg, the real life Ann Ming, and the star-studded cast bringing Julie’s story to the screen.
What is I Fought The Law about?
The four-part series portrays the real life story of Ann Ming, a grieving mother-of-three who fought to change the double jeopardy law. Based on Ann’s 2008 book, For the Love of Julie, ITV’s new drama recounts the 15 long years Ann spent bringing her daughter Julie’s murderer to justice.
Throughout the production process, Ann acted as consultant for the show – making sure I Fought The Law told the story that Julie deserves. Opening up about the show, Ann said, ‘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.’
Sheridan also touched on the honour of portraying Ann, saying, ‘She is a truly courageous and remarkable woman to whom we all owe a debt of gratitude.’
What happened to Julie Hogg, Ann Ming's daughter?
Julie Hogg, Ann Ming’s daughter, was just 22 years old when she was brutally murdered by William 'Billy' Dunlop in her flat in Billingham, County Durham. On 16 November, 1989, Dunlop strangled the pizza delivery girl and mother-of-one to death, hiding her body behind a bath panel in her home. After a night of partying at Billingham rugby club which resulted in an eye injury, Dunlop turned up at Julie’s home – who he knew from the local area and lived just two streets away - expecting sex. When Julie declined and made a joke about his eye, Dunlop later told officers he strangled her to death.
Despite extensive searched of the property, police forensic teams failed to detect her body. It wasn’t until January 1990, 80 days after her murder, that Ann would discover her daughter's remains. Three months after Julie disappeared, Ann agreed that Julie’s husband - who she’d been in the process of separating from when she was killed - could move into her daughter’s house to care for his and Julie’s three-year-old son Kevin. Her son-in-law would soon complain about a strange smell in the bathroom, with Ann discovering Julie’s body wrapped in a blanket. ‘That was the start of a living nightmare,’ Ann recalled.
Despite mounting evidence against Dunlop – including his DNA on the blanket Julie was wrapped in, as well as Julie’s keys being discovered hidden under his floorboards - juries failed to find him guilty of the crime twice. He was later acquitted and released.
Unhappy with how her daughter’s case had been dealt with, Ann challenged officers to discover what had happened to Julie and prosecute the man guilty of her murder. Thanks to her campaigning, double jeopardy laws were finally overturned. In 2006, after decades of fighting, Ann finally saw her daughter's murderer jailed for life.
What was the double jeopardy law?
While in jail for another violent offence, Dunlop boasted to a prison guard about getting away with Julie's murder. Following his confession, he was sentenced to six years in jail for perjury – the offence of wilfully telling an untruth under oath. However, he couldn’t be prosecuted again due to double jeopardy.
The double jeopardy law protected individuals from being tried for the same crime multiple times if new evidence emerged. Under this law, Dunlop would remain unpunished for murdering Julie.
Opening up about Dunlop, Ann explained, ‘It was horrible – he was bragging in pubs about committing the perfect murder. I was absolutely incensed.’
In April 2005, after 13 years of campaigning, the 800-year law was scrapped. Speaking to reporters at the time, Ann said, ‘I just can’t believe it. For once in my life I’m speechless.’ In 2007, Ann was awarded an MBE for changing the law. ‘I’d have given anything to have my daughter [back] instead of a getting a badge,’ she shared.
Is William Dunlop still in prison?
In September 2006, Dunlop went on trial at the Old Bailey. This time, he was found guilty for the murder of Julie Hogg, and was sentenced to life behind bars. As of today, Dunlop is still in prison. All his requests for parole and to be moved to an open prison have been denied.
Who is starring in I Fought The Law?
Starring alongside Sheridan as Ann is Daniel York Loh (Scarborough), Enzo Cilenti (The Crown), Olivia Ng (Phoenix Rise), Marlowe Chan-Reeves (Doctor Who), Jake Davies (Grace), Victoria Wyant, Kent Riley (Mr Bates vs. The Post Office), Jack James Ryan (Vera), Andrew Lancel (Unforgotten), and Rufus Jones (Hijack).
How to watch I Fought The Law?
The four part series aired on ITV1 and ITVX at 9pm on Sunday 31st August, with all episodes now available to watch.
Charlotte Roberts is a news and entertainment writer at Grazia UK. She spends her days covering everything celebrity, culture, and entertainment.