Sheridan Smith is on a new quest for justice on ITV

It’s every parent’s worst nightmare. In the wake of multiple police failings, their child’s killer is acquitted of murder twice and believes that he’s got away with his horrifying crimes. This is the harrowing true story of Ann Ming, whose daughter Julie Hogg was brutally murdered by Billy Dunlop and wouldn’t face prison for over 15 years due to an 800-year-old double jeopardy law.

Now, for the first time Ming’s tireless fight for justice is being brought to the small screen in I Fought The Law, airing on Sunday 31 August on ITV1 HD (CH 103) and Apps > ITVX. Starring Sheridan Smith, I Fought The Law is a heartbreaking tale of how one parent’s unimaginable grief inspires them to challenge a centuries-old legal system, which resulted in Dunlop to become the first person to be convicted under the new UK laws.

The drama comes from Jamie Crichton (All Creatures Great And Small, Grantchester) and is inspired by Ann Ming’s own experiences from her book For The Love of Julie. Speaking about her performance Smith said, “I love playing real people because this job is all about people’s hearts and getting their stories out there. It’s just important for me to do Ann justice.”

Joining Smith on screen are Daniel York Loh (Scarborough) as Ann’s husband, Charlie Ming, and Enzo Cilenti (The Crown) as DS Mark Braithwaite. Marlowe Chan-Reeves (Doctor Who), Olivia Ng (Phoenix Rise), Jake Davies (Grace) and Rufus Jones (Hijack) round off the brilliant cast. We can’t wait.

Everyone knows that anything Smith touches turns into telly gold. Whether she’s making us laugh with her comedic timing or cry with her devastating performances inspired by real people, Smith can do it all. Read on to find out where you can watch the star in some of her best roles of her career, from humble beginnings to becoming one of the industry’s most in-demand stars.

Stream series 1-4 in Apps > BBC iPlayer + U&GOLD on demand now

One of Smith’s earliest roles was as vegetarian Emma Kavanagh in The Royle Family, who first appeared at then-boyfriend Antony Royle’s 18th birthday party. She spent the evening with the sofa-slouching family refusing wafer-thin ham sandwiches, in a classic comedy moment that catapulted Smith onto our screens.

Stream series 1-9 in Apps > BBC iPlayer now

Smith’s big break came in the form of Susan Nickson’s iconic sitcom. For eight series she played Janet Smith, who loved Cheeky Vimtos, cigarettes, and “things that go bleep bleep”, as well as her will they/won’t they romance with Jonny that had the nation gripped.

Stream series 1-3 in Apps > BBC iPlayer now 

Whether she was teaching us the words to American Boy or usurping her brother’s rights to their family nickname, Smithy’s younger sister Rudy quickly became a fan favourite on the show. We loved catching up with her in the 2024 Christmas special too, along with her kids Taplow, Chingford, Brighton and Aldi…

Stream series 1 in Apps > ITVX + Apps > Netflix now

Smith’s emotional performance as Charmian Brent, who was the former wife of the infamous Great Train Robber Ronnie Biggs and whose life was devastated by “the heist of the century”, won over audiences and critics alike and earned the actor her first BAFTA TV Award for Best Actress.

Stream it in Apps > BBC iPlayer now

Smith starred alongside David Morrissey, Olivia Colman and Sean Maguire in in David Nicholls’s heart-fluttering drama about two commuters who fall in love but already have partners. Only Smith could make us root for a romance with not-so-straightforward beginnings. 

Stream series 1 in Apps > ITVX + Apps > Netflix now

Along with those acting chops Smith also has the voice of an angel, and she knocked our socks off when she stepped into the shoes of beloved entertainer Cilla Black in this award-winning biopic. Sing it with us: anyone who had a heart would love Smith too!

Stream series 1 in Apps > ITVX + Apps > Netflix now

Smith showed her incredible versatility in Black Work, as a widowed police officer whose world was turned upside down when her late husband turned out to be an undercover cop. What followed was a thrilling race against time to discover who was the murderer in this detective drama that kept us firmly glued to our sofas.

Stream series 1 in Apps > BBC iPlayer now

If there’s one thing that Smith can do well, it’s play a strong working-class woman who’s on a courageous quest for justice. Let’s just say that her heartbreaking portrayal of Sarah Sak, whose son Anthony Walgate was one of four young gay men murdered by serial killer Stephen Port, secured her status as everyone’s favourite actor.

Stream series 1 in Apps > Disney+ now

In one of her best roles to date, Smith was praised for her performance as the titular educator who was accused of inappropriate conduct with one of her pupils. Not only did the series keep us on our toes until the very end, but it showed off Smith’s acting ability as a complex character who was both sympathetic and uncomfortable to watch. 

Stream series 1 in Apps > ITVX now

Given her acting credits, Smith knows a thing or two about quality telly. So we were over the moon when she joined forces with BAFTA-winning screenwriter Dany Brocklehurst (Fool Me Once) to bring us this exhilarating drama about a family holiday gone wrong.

You have good taste. Here are five more brilliant Sheridan Smith performances you can stream on Virgin TV right now (depending on package and subscriptions): 

Benidorm
Stream series 3 in Apps > ITVX + Apps > Netflix + Apps > Disney+ now. Series 1-10 also available

Quartet
Stream it in Apps > Prime Video now

The Huntsman: Winter's War
Stream it in Sky Cinema on demand now

The Moorside
Stream it in Apps > ITVX now

Gangsta Granny Strikes Again!
Stream it in Apps > BBC iPlayer now

The four-part drama will begin from on Thursday 31 August on ITV1 HD (CH 103) and Apps > ITVX. Plus, don’t miss follow-up documentary I Fought The Law: The Ann Ming Story coming soon.