Peaky Blinders Star Takes Lead in ITV's Harrowing True Crime Drama
Broadcaster ITV has unveiled a first look at its upcoming true crime drama series, Believe Me, which delves into the chilling case of convicted sex offender John Worboys, infamously known as the 'black cab rapist'. The four-part series, filmed in Cardiff, stars Aimée-Ffion Edwards from Peaky Blinders in a pivotal role, bringing to light the harrowing experiences of his victims.
The Story of John Worboys and His Victims
John Worboys was convicted in 2009 for sexual assault and drugging with intent against 12 women. His method involved posing as a licensed taxi driver, picking up women after nights out, and offering them champagne laced with drugs, which rendered them unconscious. ITV describes the drama as a portrayal of how the victims of one of Britain's most prolific sex attackers were failed by the system.
The series focuses on the ordeals of two women, Sarah (played by Aimée-Ffion Edwards) and Laila (played by Aasiya Shah from Raised By Wolves), who reported sexual assaults by Worboys, portrayed by Daniel Mays. Their allegations were not thoroughly investigated initially, leading to a prolonged struggle for justice.
The Legal Battle and Systemic Failures
Sarah and Laila, using pseudonyms to protect their identities, joined forces with solicitor Harriet Wistrich (played by Philippa Dunne) and barrister Phillippa Kaufmann QC (played by Rachael Stirling). They sued the Metropolitan Police under the Human Rights Act for failing to properly investigate their allegations, which subjected them to degrading treatment and increased distress.
- They won their case against the Met Police.
- When the Met appealed to the Supreme Court, the victims prevailed again, highlighting systemic flaws in handling such crimes.
The Fight Against Parole and Political Involvement
As these women fought for their cases to be heard, Worboys' first parole hearing loomed eight years after his conviction. The victims had to campaign once more to keep him behind bars. They were joined by Carrie Symonds (played by Miriam Petche from Industry), a senior figure in the Conservative Party press team, who risked her career to lead a media and political campaign.
This campaign pushed for an unprecedented judicial review of the Parole Board's decision, with Sarah, Laila, and Carrie at the forefront. Their efforts were successful, resulting in Worboys' parole being quashed, a significant victory for victim advocacy.
Victim's Perspective and Impact
Sarah, whose identity remains protected, shared her thoughts on the series: "Believe Me is about the courage of every woman who came forward to help put John Worboys behind bars. What happened to me changed my life, but in many ways the hardest part was not being believed for so many years. Without the people who stood by me, Worboys would have been freed and continued to pose a huge risk to women."
She emphasized that seeking justice should not lead to more trauma, stating, "We shouldn't have to fight to be believed or feel like we're the ones on trial. The shame never belongs to the survivor."
Believe Me is set to air on ITV, shedding light on critical issues of justice, systemic failure, and victim support in true crime narratives.
