Line of Duty star cast as serial sex attacker John Worboys in new ITV true crime drama

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Content warning: Contains discussions of sexual assault.

As a seasoned movie connoisseur, I’m thrilled to announce that the talented Daniel Mays, known for his gripping performances on Line of Duty, will portray the notorious sex offender John Worboys in an ITV production. This captivating drama chronicles the relentless pursuit of justice against Worboys and the tireless efforts to ensure he remains imprisoned.

ITV portrays “Believe Me” as the account of three individuals, each of whom became victims of one of the UK’s most active sexual predators during his tenure as a London taxi driver. This perpetrator manipulated and attacked women by exploiting their trust.

In a deceptive move, Worboys would lead his victims to believe that he had recently struck it rich by winning a large sum at a casino or through the lottery. To celebrate this supposed victory, he would invite them for a toast with champagne. However, unbeknownst to them, these drinks contained drugs instead.

The story centers around the struggles of two women who accused Worboys of sexual assault, and how their claims were not properly investigated by the Metropolitan Police. This left them feeling unheard and disbelieved.

As a follower, I’ll delve into a narrative that uncovers how a lack of accountability enabled Worboys to perpetrate his abhorrent crimes across numerous years. Simultaneously, it underscores the relentless pursuit of justice by those who were his victims.

In 2009, Worboys was found guilty of sexually attacking 12 women, but the saga didn’t conclude there. Fast forward to just eight years later, his victims confronted the possibility of his release from prison.

In a different phrasing, Actresses Aimee-Ffion Edwards (Slow Horses), Aasiya Shah (We Might Regret This), and Miriam Petche (Industry) will portray the unnamed women who were victims of the Worboys case; their characters are yet to be identified in the ITV announcement.

In a compelling twist, the harrowing true account will be transformed by accomplished writer Jeff Pope, known for his work in bringing real-life events to the screen, into the film “Believe Me”. His notable works include “Suspect: The Shooting of Jean Charles de Menezes”, “A Confession”, and “Little Boy Blue”.

Pope stated that the TV series delves into the emotional odyssey of Worboys’ attack victims, depicting their experiences when reporting rape and assault, highlighting the suffering and humiliation involved in the process, and portraying how it stripped them of their humanity.

Perhaps the most disturbing aspect for them was the experience of feeling unheard by the police and their attacks being considered non-criminal incidents. This situation, in many ways, was just as traumatizing as the assaults themselves.

ITV’s head of drama, Polly Hill, commented: “We feel honored to collaborate with Jeff Pope in telling this significant tale on-screen.

For far too long, the voices of women went unheard by the police, leading to an increase in victims and culminating in a groundbreaking lawsuit filed against the Metropolitan Police.

As a cinephile, I must say, Jeff’s latest script is nothing short of brilliant. It tackles a challenging yet crucial narrative with finesse, leaving me eagerly anticipating its big-screen debut. And it’s with great pleasure that I share Julia Ford has been entrusted with the director’s chair for this project. I can hardly contain my excitement!

Ford has recently directed popular crime series such as Showtrial and Until I Kill You, along with the long-form drama Unforgivable on BBC Two, featuring Anna Friel and Anna Maxwell Martin in leading roles.

Believe Me is coming soon to ITV1 and ITVX.

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2025-08-07 16:26