I Fought the Law’s Sheridan Smith “couldn’t stop hugging” real-life subject Ann Ming: “I am completely in awe”

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Sheridan Smith immerses herself deeply into her roles, showing remarkable emotional vulnerability across various characters such as cabaret performers, activists within communities, and women who are either extraordinary or flawed. However, the authentic tale presented in ITV1’s new four-part series, I Fought the Law, which delves into a mother’s 15-year struggle to challenge the ancient double jeopardy law, formed a unique connection between Smith and the character she portrays.

Sheridan and Ann Ming, despite having an age gap of nearly four decades, share a strong familial resemblance. At a recent press event, they warmly embraced and held hands, with the elderly woman from Billingham in Teesside, rather than the well-known West End actress, being the one to lighten the atmosphere with laughter. In a humorous remark directed at the screen, she quipped: “When people from the South create shows, they always include many shots of decommissioned cooling towers. They’ve been out of service for years!

Afterwards, both women shared their feelings and anecdotes about the story with me, tears welling up in their eyes, laughter escaping them occasionally, and they seemed very comfortable together. Having read Ann’s book “For the Love of Julie” and watched a BBC documentary on the same topic, Sheridan was eager to assume the role, yet felt apprehensive. He expressed, “I was excited about the opportunity, but I didn’t want to disappoint Ann; I wanted to make her proud.

The drama goes beyond being just a crime narrative; it’s subtly revealed that the scriptwriter Jamie Crichton has expressed disdain for distressing true-crime dramas and instead prefers stories with superhero elements. Notably, Ann Ming MBE, a British citizen, will be remembered in legal history for her transformation efforts – using sorrow and indignation to revise the ancient law of double jeopardy, which previously prohibited multiple prosecutions for the same crime.

She took on police officers, the Prosecution Service, and lawyers who showed disdain; gained support from a Home Secretary and the Law Commission; and spoke before the House of Lords without referring to any notes. Now she reflects, “No one is superior, so if you notice something amiss, you should try to change it.” Sheridan expresses her admiration: “I’m simply amazed by her determination.

The narrative opens quite dramatically. In 1989, Ann’s daughter Julie tragically met her end in her Billingham home at the hands of William Dunlop, a local who was intoxicated and associated with the porn industry. That fateful night, Ann and her husband Charlie were babysitting Julie’s three-year-old son Kevin. When Julie failed to appear in court the following morning, where she was due to petition for separation from her spouse, they reported her missing.

For several days, the police dismissed them with the claim that 22-year-old Julie might have hitchhiked to London on the A19. To this day, Ann remains incensed by their assumption that Julie would abandon her child. “Karma is a powerful force. Years later, during a court case, I lost my wallet, and a police officer found it. He had his hat pulled low over his face, but it was the same man who had previously been so dismissive. I scolded him, saying ‘You’re the epitome of community relations! You all should have been fired. Your behavior was appalling – I was discussing my daughter with you, yet you were so arrogant as to believe you knew better!’

In a tragic turn of events, even after police thoroughly examined Julie’s home, no signs of anything suspicious were found, assuring them that there were no deceased bodies present if that was the concern. Time passed, leaving behind an eerie Christmas void, filled with hope for resolution. However, weeks later, the family regained access to Julie’s house, and her husband – who had maintained a close relationship with Julie and moved in to care for their child Kevin – reported an overpowering stench. Upon arriving, it was discovered that Ann pulled back a bath panel to reveal Julie’s lifeless body, having been gone for two months.

Instead of being consumed by the intricate details, Sheridan, who delivers a gripping performance in these scenes, stated, “No, I didn’t want to dwell on the specifics – like questioning if her hand was here or there. If I start analyzing too much about acting – over-practicing, over-thinking – it doesn’t feel right. So, I simply tried to empathize with Ann. I didn’t want to get caught up in the minutiae.

The five-year-old boy referred to as Billy is her own son; the moments portrayed between her and young Kevin were strikingly authentic and touching. Reflecting on her experience, she confesses, “Having Billy has had a profound impact on me.

In easier, more natural language: Police had previously recognized Dunlop as a possible suspect, but on two separate occasions juries couldn’t reach a consensus and he was found not guilty. According to Ann, the family suffered deeply following his death. “When we gathered around the closed coffin, Charlie, my son, my daughter, and I, the funeral director remarked, ‘You are now united as a family.’ However, we will never truly be together again. Never.

In 1997, Dunlop was imprisoned for assaulting another woman and boasted in prison about murdering Julie. However, since the double jeopardy rule prohibits repeated trials for the same crime, he could only be charged with perjury (lying under oath) from his initial trial and served six years for it. This marked the start of Ann’s advocacy efforts, as she argued that in cases where new significant evidence emerges-often DNA evidence-the person responsible can be retried once more.

After winning the argument, the law was altered in 2005 and took effect that same year. In 2006, William Dunlop was given a life sentence for the murder of Julie. Since then, many other criminals have faced justice due to this amendment, including some who were responsible for Stephen Lawrence’s death. Ann suggests that Scotland, Australia, and even the United States should consider similar changes, stating that “the safeguards are strong; Mr. Trump, if you’re listening, think about it.

She hadn’t yet concluded her issues with Dunlop; his parole hearing took place last year, but the family contended that he remained a threat, hence their objections.

The drama meticulously portrays each progression and setback, leaving a significant impact. Colleagues often discuss Sheridan’s extraordinary acting process – as the show’s producer puts it, “she fully immerses herself in every scene and is present in almost every shot.” Ann describes her performance as a whirlwind, resembling a tornado.

Sheridan confessed, “Those nine weeks were the most challenging experiences I’ve encountered. While I can detach myself during play-acting or fictional roles, this wasn’t just a story; it was real and required courage. If I didn’t allow myself to truly feel the intense emotions, I wouldn’t be doing justice to Ann. However, at the end of each day, I allowed myself a small reprieve by taking off the wig.” (She convincingly portrayed aging across the 20 years of the story.)

Ann notices a change in Sheridan, her tone becoming calm and maternal. “You were quite disheveled towards the end,” she says gently. To this, Sheridan concurs, admitting to being drained, stressed, and preoccupied with past traumas. However, she shares that spending Christmas with her son Billy was a joyful experience. Moreover, she has taken up yoga and meditation, which she believes have brought her a new sense of peace and happiness. Interestingly, in all the times I’ve interviewed Sheridan Smith before, spanning 16 years, I haven’t seen her appear as composed and content as she does now.

Portraying genuine life experiences can be challenging: I wonder if there are any instances in the series that Ann contested, yet she mentions only a few. The show doesn’t reveal where she ultimately received treatment for her PTSD; however, she shares, “A place called Ticehurst was crucial; it assisted me in managing my anger towards the police.” Her trauma is subtly suggested through brief moments – when she appears to see her daughter or, frighteningly, believes a patient is Dunlop. Regarding her role, she explains, “For the series, they cast me as a ward nurse, but in reality, I was a theater nurse. Nevertheless, it’s all right.

As a movie buff, I found myself in a situation where I was handed a beer. But then, it struck me that the character I was playing, Ann Ming, would never be seen sipping beer. “No way!” I exclaimed. “It should’ve been a gin and tonic instead!” And Ann, ever the faithful partner in this cinematic journey, agreed, “You’re absolutely right! That’s more like it for Ann Ming!

Additionally, there is compassionate consideration given to others affected by the tragedy, such as Julie’s siblings who suffered greatly from the events but were excluded from the legal battle. The genuine Kevin made a subtle appearance at the press conference. “He takes good care of his grandmother!” Ann remarks.

Regarding her late husband Charlie, portrayed authentically and poignantly by Daniel York Loh, Ann is content with his representation in the story. “He was a man of few words, often outshone by my talkative nature! But he confided once in the quiet hours that if he’d discovered Julie’s situation, he would have collapsed from the shock – he couldn’t have endured it. It strikes you how vulnerable men can be emotionally.

Was she always confident, perhaps even at the final obstacle, asserting that the law should apply retroactively to benefit Dunlop? “She never gave it a second thought. It was common sense, and she expressed this in the House of Lords.” After years under public scrutiny, Sheridan finds that moment extraordinary – “I could never have pulled it off.” Indeed, Ann states that Lord Mackenzie told her he was surprised “that an ordinary northern woman could [do it]; hardened speakers often lose their voice in that chamber. He offered to send me a signed copy of the Hansard report, but I wasn’t familiar with what Hansard [the official parliamentary debates] was.

She works with both West Yorkshire and national police forces. When things go wrong, such as failing to search a house thoroughly or not finding someone, she doesn’t shy away from expressing her concerns, particularly when it comes to the well-being of her daughter.

Sheridan expresses his astonishment once more, saying, ‘I’m absolutely spellbound,'” or “‘I’m completely amazed,'” says Sheridan again. “If only I could match your resilience and grit,” he adds admiringly.”

“Ann responds, ‘That was just logical thinking,'” or “‘It was simply common sense,'” she replies. “And that, dear Sheridan, is a piece of love’s puzzle,” she suggests.

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2025-08-26 02:47