I Fought the Law – A must watch

I Fought the Law – Review: A Landmark True-Crime Drama That Packs an Emotional Punch

I Fought the Law – review, My gut reaction? This is one of ITV’s most important dramas in years. Like Mr Bates vs The Post Office, it tells a story we should all know, but which still manages to shock and move us when dramatised. The central injustice — that Britain’s ancient double jeopardy law allowed a confessed murderer to walk free — is both maddening and fascinating. And at the centre of it all is Sheridan Smith, delivering a performance of rare emotional force.

Yes, there are spoilers here, but this is history. Just as with Apollo 13, the outcome is inevitable — we know Ann Ming eventually wins. But the power of I Fought the Law lies not in surprise, but in the sheer perseverance of one woman against an immovable system. Watching her fight for 17 years to change the law makes for truly remarkable television.

And it’s worth underlining: this is not just a “based on true events” drama. Ann Ming is still alive today — and her presence is felt throughout. Publicity stills show her side by side with Sheridan Smith, a moving reminder that the woman whose fight changed British law is very much with us, witnessing her story being retold on screen. That authenticity lends the series even greater weight.

Sheridan Smith is simply outstanding. This is career-best work, portraying Ann Ming with heartbreak, fury, and defiance. It’s a role that demands everything — and Smith gives everything. BAFTA should be paying attention. Around her, the supporting cast adds crucial depth: Daniel York Loh as her husband Charlie, Victoria Wyant as her daughter Julie, and Jack James Ryan as William Dunlop, the killer whose freedom exposed the system’s failings.

If Dept Q was about noir brooding and cold cases, I Fought the Law is about raw truth and the cost of justice. It’s not flashy, and it doesn’t need to be. The writing and direction keep the focus tight on Ann’s campaign, and that intensity pays off. By the end, I felt drained — angry at the law’s cruelty, but inspired by Ann’s unbreakable will.

Final Verdict

This is essential television. I Fought the Law is more than a crime drama — it’s a reminder of how laws change, and how much it costs the people who force that change. Sheridan Smith is extraordinary, the story is unforgettable, and the execution is near-flawless. Harrowing, powerful, and absolutely necessary.

Synopsis – 

I Fought the Law

Based on a true story, I Fought the Law follows Ann Ming, a mother whose daughter Julie is murdered in 1989. When the suspect walks free under the ancient double jeopardy rule, Ann begins a relentless 17-year campaign to change the law so justice can be done. Ann Ming herself remains alive today, and her story continues to inspire campaigners and audiences alike.

Original Channel & Premiere Date

• Network: ITV1 (also streaming on ITVX)
• Premiere: 31 August 2025, with episodes airing across two weeks.

Key Creatives – 

I Fought the Law

• Writer: Jamie Crichton
• Director: Erik Richter Strand
• Production Company: Hera Pictures (Executive Producers: Liza Marshall, Charlotte Webber, Erik Richter Strand, Jamie Crichton)

Top 5 Cast

• Sheridan Smith as Ann Ming Previous credits: Cilla, The Moorside, Four Lives
• Daniel York Loh as Charlie Ming Previous credits: Scarborough, Silent Witness, The Bill
• Victoria Wyant as Julie Hogg Previous credits: Doctors, Casualty
• Jack James Ryan as William Dunlop Previous credits: Coronation Street, Innocent, Shameless
• Olivia Ng Previous credits: Phoenix Rise, Waterloo Road, The A Word

Next Episode Info – 

I Fought the Law

• Episode 3: Sunday 7 September 2025
• Episode 4 (finale): Monday 8 September 2025
• Release schedule: Two episodes per week across two weekends. All episodes will remain available on ITVX for catch-up and binge-watching.