I Fought the Law: A Story That Changed an 800 Year Old Law - and British Drama

From start to finish, I Fought the Law is a gripping and heart-breaking watch. Based on the true story of Ann Ming and the horrific murder of her 22-year-old daughter, Julie, in 1989, the series follows Ann’s extraordinary 30-year campaign to change the double jeopardy law - a law that, at the time, meant Julie’s killer, acquitted twice for her murder, could never be tried again.

The opening sequence immediately propels the audience into the Ming family’s world, introducing Julie - a young mother - alongside her husband Matthew and parents, Ann and Charlie. It’s an effective, grounded introduction that gives emotional weight to what follows.

Beautifully written by Jamie Crichton and produced by Hera Pictures, episode one takes us through the tragic night Julie went missing and the police’s initial lack of urgency. Convinced she’s simply “had a heavy night” or “run off to London” after separating from Matthew, officers dismiss the family’s concerns.

Ann Ming (played by Sheridan Smith) is resolute that Julie would never leave her young son, Kevin. From the outset, we see that Ann is a force to be reckoned with - her persistence eventually pushes the police to investigate properly. Yet, even after a forensic search of the house, nothing is found.

Months pass with no sign of Julie. Then, in one of the most harrowing scenes in recent British drama, Ann makes a horrifying discovery herself: her daughter’s body hidden under the bath.

Sheridan Smith delivers a career-defining performance here. Her anguished cry “She’s under the bath!” is gut-wrenching, raw, and unforgettable. It’s a moment that lingers long after the credits roll. Across four episodes, Smith transforms as Ann ages over thirteen years, capturing both her relentless drive and the toll that grief can take on the body. It’s a performance marked by empathy, humility, and emotional precision, a reminder of why Smith remains one of the UK’s finest actors.

In a behind the scenes interview with Sheridan and Ann, they clearly share a strong bond. Ann jokes that if Sheridan doesn't win a BAFTA for her performance, she'll have to start campaigning for that, too.

What sets I Fought the Law apart from the rest is that it’s not just another crime drama. Instead, it’s an effective exploration of systemic failure - a story about an outdated legal system and the ordinary woman who challenged it. Through Ann’s fight, the series exposes the cracks in an establishment that too often fails those without power or privilege.

Ultimately, Ann Ming’s persistence led to a landmark change in the 800-year-old double jeopardy law, helping countless other families get the justice they deserved. Without her, that law might still stand unchanged today.

This is a remarkable, deeply human story about courage, determination and the resilience of working class families who refuse to be silenced.

As Ann herself says, “As long as there’s breath in my lungs, I’m going to fight for my daughter.” After watching this series, you believe her and you wouldn’t dare argue otherwise.