Line of Duty star reveals he “underestimated” how much embodying Believe Me predator would “take its toll”

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This article discusses sensitive and potentially disturbing topics like sexual assault and rape. Reader discretion is advised.

Daniel Mays, known for his work in popular shows like Line of Duty, A Thousand Blows, and The Thursday Murder Club, is now starring in a significantly grimmer role in the ITV drama, Believe Me.

Dominic Mays plays John Worboys in a new drama. Worboys was a serial sex offender known as the ‘black cab rapist’ because he attacked women while working as a taxi driver.

In 2009, Worboys was found guilty of sexually assaulting and drugging twelve women between 2007 and 2008. He was convicted again in 2019 for attacking four additional women. Police believe that during his 13 years as a London taxi driver, Worboys may have drugged and assaulted over 100 passengers.

The series primarily centers on the experiences of Worboys’ victims and survivors as they pursue justice, but it also shows Worboys’ perspective at times.

Mays explained in a recent interview that accepting the role was a significant undertaking. He was particularly drawn to the acting challenge – portraying a complex, even evil, character with depth and humanity. He wanted to move beyond the surface-level portrayal and create a fully realized, three-dimensional person, but he admitted he hadn’t anticipated how difficult that would be.

I’ve been a professional actor for 26 years, and while I’ve loved it, it wasn’t always easy. Playing this role was challenging and emotionally draining, and it could be a very lonely experience.

Mays appears with Aimée-Ffion Edwards and Aasiya Shah, who play Sarah and Laila – two of Worboys’ victims. Miriam Petche portrays Carrie Symonds, another woman he drugged.

Worboys tricked women by pretending he’d had a big win – either the lottery or at a casino – and would show them a bag of money as proof while they were passengers in his taxi. He’d then offer them champagne to celebrate, claiming he couldn’t drink himself because he was driving. This champagne was secretly spiked with drugs, and he would then sexually assault his victims, many of whom couldn’t remember the attack.

Regarding Worboys’s actions, Mays explained to ITV that the character was relentless and wouldn’t quit. Jeff’s vision for the character was that, as the story progressed, crossing that initial line seemed to compel him to repeat his behavior. This led to him becoming increasingly unstable, careless, and unable to control himself. Mays believes Worboys becomes more unhinged and, consequently, even more of a threat.

Playing villains usually involves finding something relatable or sympathetic about them, some human side to connect with. But this character had absolutely no redeeming qualities. Digging into his history revealed he’d been harming people long before he became a taxi driver – he was a voyeur and fundamentally a dangerous narcissist.

As a real cinema fan, I found the director’s explanation fascinating. He suggested the character’s choice to become a black cab driver wasn’t random at all, but a continuation of his past life. It was all about wanting to be the center of attention, just like when he was a stripper. He clearly enjoyed the admiration he received from women, and the director believes he deliberately became a cabbie to be around young, often vulnerable, and intoxicated women. It’s a chilling thought, but it definitely adds a disturbing layer to the character’s motivations.

What struck me most about the villain in this film is the meticulous planning behind his scheme. He didn’t just become a London cabbie – he went through the incredibly rigorous process of learning ‘The Knowledge,’ the exhaustive test all black cab drivers must pass. It’s a brilliant detail, because a London cab is instantly recognizable as a safe space, and it shows just how far ahead he was thinking and how dedicated he was to getting into a position of trust to carry out his plan. It really highlights his cold, calculated nature.

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For information and support, please visit Rape Crisis or The Survivors Trust.

Believe Me will air on ITV from 10 May with all four episodes available to stream on ITVX.

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Authors

Morgan CormackDrama Writer

I’ve been following Morgan Cormack’s work for a while now – she’s a drama writer at TopMob, and basically covers all things TV and streaming drama. Before that, she was writing about entertainment for Stylist. She’s got a solid background too, with a degree in English Literature and experience in content marketing and freelancing. It’s clear she really knows her stuff!

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2026-05-08 11:35