I Fought the Law is a powerful and emotionally charged true-crime drama that chronicles one of the most significant legal battles in British history. The series focuses on the tragic 1990 murder of Julie and the subsequent, deeply flawed judicial process that saw her killer, Mark Braithwaite (Enzo Cilenti), acquitted twice due to mistrials. Despite later admitting to the crime, he was protected for years by the archaic double jeopardy law, which prevented a retrial for the same offence. This is the story of how a miscarriage of justice was challenged, and how a mother’s love refused to be denied.

At the heart of this harrowing journey is Ann Ming (Sheridan Smith), Julie’s mother, who waged a relentless, seventeen-year campaign to change the law itself. The series meticulously traces her fight, from the gut-wrenching discovery of her daughter’s body to the corridors of power in Westminster, where she lobbied politicians to overturn a centuries-old legal doctrine. I Fought the Law is more than a crime drama; it’s a testament to resilience, a searing indictment of a failing system, and a tribute to the extraordinary power of a mother’s love to demand accountability and ensure her daughter’s death was not in vain.

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Meet the Cast of I Fought the Law

1: Sheridan Smith as Ann Ming

Sheridan Smith delivers a career-defining performance as Ann Ming, the tenacious and grief-stricken mother who transforms her profound loss into a formidable force for legal change. Smith masterfully portrays Ann’s evolution from a devastated parent into a savvy, determined campaigner, capturing every ounce of her frustration, despair, and unwavering resolve. Her performance is a raw and heartbreaking exploration of a love that refuses to be silenced by legal technicalities or institutional inertia.

Smith’s portrayal is anchored in a deep, empathetic authenticity. She shows the immense personal cost of Ann’s campaign—the strain on her family, the moments of utter exhaustion, and the emotional toll of relentlessly confronting the worst moment of her life. Yet, through Smith, we see the incredible strength that emerges from a parent’s love, making Ann Ming one of the most powerful and inspiring real-life figures ever portrayed on British television.

2: Enzo Cilenti as Mark Braithwaite

Enzo Cilenti is chillingly effective as Mark Braithwaite, the man who committed the murder and whose acquittals and subsequent confession became the catalyst for a legal revolution. Cilenti brings a disturbing, calculating calmness to the role, portraying Braithwaite not as a cartoonish villain, but as a manipulative and arrogant individual who believes the law is his shield. His performance is all the more terrifying for its understated menace.

Cilenti excels in the courtroom scenes and the later prison confession, capturing the character’s smug confidence as he evades justice, and the twisted pride he later takes in his crime. He is the embodiment of the flaw in the system—a man who believed he was untouchable, and whose actions would inadvertently help bring that very system down.

3: Ash Tandon as Imran Khan

Ash Tandon portrays Imran Khan, the sharp, principled, and determined solicitor who becomes Ann Ming’s crucial legal ally in her long fight. Tandon brings a focused intensity and intellectual rigor to the role, showing Khan’s strategic mind as he navigates the complexities of the legal system to find a path to justice. He is the calm, professional counterweight to Ann’s raw emotion, but equally driven by a sense of moral outrage.

Tandon’s performance highlights the importance of having an expert advocate who believes in a cause. His chemistry with Sheridan Smith is pivotal, depicting a partnership built on mutual respect and a shared, singular goal. Khan represents the best of the legal profession—a relentless pursuer of justice who uses the law as a tool for good.

4: Rufus Jones as David Clarke MP

Rufus Jones brings nuanced depth to David Clarke MP, a government minister initially hesitant to challenge the long-standing double jeopardy law. Jones portrays Clarke as a politician torn between tradition and the compelling moral urgency of Ann Ming’s campaign. His performance captures the internal conflict of a public servant weighing legal precedent against human justice, showcasing the political complexities behind landmark change.

Jones excels in depicting Clarke’s gradual transformation from a cautious bureaucrat to a reluctant ally. His scenes in parliamentary committees and private meetings with Ann reveal the quiet yet powerful shifts that occur behind closed doors, highlighting how perseverance can eventually sway even the most steadfast institutions. Jones adds a critical layer of political realism to the narrative.

5: Aimée Kelly as Judith Morden

Aimée Kelly appears as Judith Morden, a fiercely determined Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) lawyer who re-examines Julie’s case with fresh eyes. Kelly brings a razor-sharp intellect and relentless drive to the role, portraying Morden as a legal professional who refuses to let procedural barriers eclipse the pursuit of truth. Her character becomes instrumental in building the new evidence required to challenge the double jeopardy law.

Kelly’s performance illuminates the meticulous, often frustrating work of legal revision. Her interactions with Ash Tandon’s character crackle with collaborative intensity, as they piece together the case that could make history. Morden represents the evolving conscience of the justice system, and Kelly embodies her resolve with gripping authenticity.

6: Bryony Corrigan as WPC Sarah Elliot

Bryony Corrigan delivers a grounded and empathetic performance as WPC Sarah Elliot, a young police officer involved in the original investigation. Corrigan portrays Elliot’s frustration and heartbreak as procedural errors and legal technicalities thwart justice, showing how the case haunts her career and conscience. Her character provides a poignant street-level perspective on the failures of the system.

Years later, Elliot’s unwavering commitment to Julie’s memory fuels her cooperation with Ann Ming’s campaign. Corrigan beautifully captures the officer’s quiet determination to atone for past inadequacies, symbolizing the many individuals whose efforts, though initially thwarted, ultimately contribute to seismic change. Her role underscores the personal stakes for those in uniform.

7: Philip Gascoyne as Appeal Court Judge Sir Edward Hayes

Philip Gascoyne embodies authoritative gravitas as Appeal Court Judge Sir Edward Hayes, the judicial mind presiding over the groundbreaking appeal. Gascoyne brings a formidable presence to the bench, capturing the weight of history and legal precedent in every deliberation. His performance conveys the immense responsibility of overturning a centuries-old doctrine, balancing cold legality with moral imperative.

Gascoyne’s nuanced portrayal reveals a judge deeply aware of the case’s societal implications. His stern demeanor occasionally cracks to reveal a humanity wrestling with the law’s limitations, making the courtroom scenes among the series’ most tense and impactful. He represents the institution of law itself, being challenged to evolve.

8: Joanne James as Reporter Lisa Croft

Joanne James portrays Lisa Croft, a dogged investigative journalist whose reporting keeps public attention fixed on Julie’s case and Ann’s campaign. James brings a tenacious energy to the role, showing how Croft’s articles pressure authorities and amplify Ann’s voice beyond the courtroom. Her character bridges the gap between the personal tragedy and the public discourse it ignited.

James excels in depicting the reporter’s ethical balance between empathy and objectivity. Croft becomes an unofficial chronicler of Ann’s journey, and her evolving coverage mirrors the shifting attitudes toward justice and legal reform in the wider society. She is the vital link to the court of public opinion.

9: Chris Lane as Line Dance Caller

Chris Lane appears in a brief but poignant role as the Line Dance Caller at a social club central to the community’s life—and to the case’s backstory. Lane brings a cheerful, nostalgic warmth to his scenes, creating a stark contrast to the darkness that follows. His character symbolizes the ordinary world shattered by tragedy.

This role, though small, is crucial for establishing the setting and era. Lane’s authentic portrayal of local camaraderie makes the loss felt more deeply, grounding the high-stakes legal drama in the relatable fabric of everyday life that was irrevocably damaged.

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Why This Drama Is Essential Viewing

• A Landmark True Story: It chronicles the campaign that changed British law forever, a story every viewer should know.

• Sheridan Smith’s Powerhouse Performance: An awards-worthy turn that is both devastating and inspiring.

• A Gripping Legal Thriller: Filled with courtroom tension, political maneuvering, and emotional depth.

• A Tribute to Resilience: A profound exploration of how ordinary people can achieve extraordinary change.

Don’t Miss the Fight for Justice

I Fought the Law premieres Sunday, August 31, 2025, on ITV. This is more than a drama; it’s a piece of British history.