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![Sheridan Smith as Ann Ming & Charlie York Lo as Charlie Ming This photograph is (C) Hera Pictures and can only be reproduced for editorial purposes directly in connection with the programme or event mentioned above, or ITV plc. This photograph must not be manipulated [excluding basic cropping] in a manner which alters the visual appearance of the person photographed deemed detrimental or inappropriate by ITV plc Picture Desk. This photograph must not be syndicated to any other company, publication or website, or permanently archived, without the express written permission of ITV Picture Desk. Full Terms and conditions are available on the website www.itv.com/presscentre/itvpictures/terms For further information please contact: michael.taiwo1@itv.com](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/SEI_261079412-f86c.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
Sheridan Smith has left fans speechless with her ‘harrowing’ new ITV true crime drama.
The 44-year-old actress plays Ann Ming in four-part series I Fought The Law, which follows one woman’s fight to bring her daughter’s murderer to justice, who was controversially acquitted after two mistrials.
The show is available to stream now on ITVX, and viewers are already heaping praise on the show, with one fan describing the scenes as ‘sadistic’.
‘Bloody hell an emotional watch with #SheridanSmith tonight on @ITV I fought the law,’ added @Gummybear1981 on X, while @iamfordmusic simply wrote: ‘Bloody hell I fought the law.’
‘Blimey. I fought the law on @ITV. Julie Hogg’s poor family,’ said @MissDemeanor07, as @RUSignificant enthused: ‘ITV’s I Fought the Law … gripping… brilliant performances … 10/10 … and amazingly and harrowingly this is a true story! Shocking!!’
And @Chelle26f wrote: ‘I Fought The Law – first episode, so many emotions, my heart goes out to Julie and her family, bravo to @ITV for bringing this story to the publics attention, brilliant casting but heartbreaking that this is a true story. #IFoughtTheLaw’
I Fought The Law is based on Ann’s book For The Love of Julie, and was adapted for the screen by Jamie Crichton.
I Fought The Law will 'stay with you for quite some time'
Metro TV reporter Milo Pope gives I Fought The Law four stars in his review.
‘For those of you who are unfamiliar with Ann Ming’s story, just like I was when I sat down to watch Sheridan Smith’s new ITV drama, you’re likely going to feel like you’ve been living under a rock for the past 20 years,’ he wrote.
‘But once you move past that feeling and your inner shock starts to dissipate, you’ll start to realise that I Fought The Law is a series that will stay with you for quite some time after the end credits roll.’
He added: ‘As is the case with most hard-hitting dramas based on true stories, the darkness of this story and the frustration it builds within you as you see Ann pushed back by the government on the Double Jeopardy Law can begin to feel overwhelming at times.
‘The series contains a truly life-affirming and inspirational real-life ending, with Ann achieving justice against her daughter’s murderer several years later.
‘In terms of how it highlights such a major societal issue and showcases what an extraordinary woman Ann is, I Fought the Law is magnificent.’
Read more here.
It sees Sheridan star as the mother-of-three in a 15-year battle against the 800-year-old Double Jeopardy Law, which stopped a person from being tried twice for the same offence after being acquitted or convicted.
In Metro‘s spoiler-heavy four star review, our writer Milo Pope wrote: ‘I can’t remember ever feeling quite so horrified and disturbed as I did when I first watched this series.’
![Sheridan Smith This photograph is (C) Hera Pictures and can only be reproduced for editorial purposes directly in connection with the programme or event mentioned above, or ITV plc. This photograph must not be manipulated [excluding basic cropping] in a manner which alters the visual appearance of the person photographed deemed detrimental or inappropriate by ITV plc Picture Desk. This photograph must not be syndicated to any other company, publication or website, or permanently archived, without the express written permission of ITV Picture Desk. Full Terms and conditions are available on the website www.itv.com/presscentre/itvpictures/terms For further information please contact: michael.taiwo1@itv.com](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/SEI_262229759-e795.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
At an early viewing of the first episode, the real Ann Ming admitted while she is proud and grateful that the story is being told, she would give anything not to be here.
Ann Ming speaks to Metro about her devastating loss
Senior Features Writer Josie Copson speaks to Ann Ming, the mother who campaigned to change the law in honour of her daughter.
Ann Ming is sitting on stage at a private cinema in Soho; her fingers are interlocked with the hand of an emotional Sheridan Smith, the actor portraying the grieving mother in the upcoming ITV drama, I Fought The Law.
Taking in the gravitas of the day, Ann is proud — but she would give anything not to be here.
‘There’s nothing pleasant about the whole scenario, to be quite honest, because Julie’s never coming back,’ she tells Metro. ‘I’m glad I changed the law, but there’s always that immovable downside.’
Ann, who received an MBE for services to the criminal justice system in 2007, went on to write a book about her fight to overturn the ancient ruling, which has since led to 15 convictions. When she heard that ITV wanted to turn her story into a drama with Sheridan, 44, on board, she gave them her blessing: ‘I have watched everything she’s ever been in and love her.’
To read more, click here.
‘There’s nothing pleasant about the whole scenario, to be quite honest, because Julie’s never coming back,’ she told Metro.
‘I’m glad I changed the law, but there’s always that immovable downside.’
Sheridan embodied Ann by watching all her interviews, and was physically transformed with a wig, costume and clever makeup.
‘Sheridan became me, it’s really strange. She was getting quite emotional filming,’ Ann recalled. ‘I said to her, “You’ve spent nine weeks with it, but for me, it’s been 35 years.” ‘
I Fought The Law is available on ITVX.
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