Is ITV’s Believe Me based on a true story? The real-life horror behind new drama

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Daniel Mays, known for his role in Line of Duty, delivers a particularly intense performance in ITV’s new four-part drama, Believe Me. Though it feels like a typical, hard-hitting crime show, the series is actually based on a true story that deeply affected Britain and revealed serious problems with how the legal system works.

This drama is based on the real-life crimes of John Worboys, a serial sex offender dubbed the “Black Cab Rapist.” He preyed on women in London during the 2000s while working as a taxi driver.

Unlike most true crime shows, Believe Me doesn’t focus on the criminal. Instead, it tells the story of the women who were harmed, the difficult experiences they went through, and the problems they encountered after coming forward.

The true story behind the drama Believe Me involves a deeply disturbing case of sexual assault that remains infamous in British history. Between 2006 and 2008, John Worboys repeatedly attacked women after picking them up in his taxi, frequently using drugs to incapacitate them before the assaults. Though he was convicted based on the experiences of 12 women, investigators suspect he may have harmed over 100.

“Believe Me” takes some creative liberties with the true story, changing names, dates, and other details to safeguard the privacy of those who experienced the abuse. The characters of Sarah, played by Aimée-Ffion Edwards, and Laila, played by Aasiya Shah, are inspired by real women who bravely shared their stories and took legal action, ultimately helping to reveal the full extent of Worboys’ crimes.

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The series depicts the women grappling with the long-term emotional effects of their assaults, as well as their anger at not being taken seriously by the police. They decide to work with lawyer Harriet Wistrich (played by Philippa Dunne) to take legal action against the Metropolitan Police, challenging the way the initial investigation was handled.

The story behind the drama unfolded over many years. Although most of Worboys’ crimes happened in the mid-2000s, several women later reported being attacked as far back as 2000. Becki Houlston, a key survivor, bravely chose to reveal her identity and has since openly discussed the continuing effects of the case.

Worboys claimed innocence throughout his first trial, stating any sexual activity was agreed upon. However, in March 2009, he was found guilty at Croydon Crown Court of 19 crimes against 12 women, including rape, sexual assault, and using drugs to commit those offenses.

While in prison, Worboys legally changed his name to John Radford. In 2018, the Parole Board initially approved his release after he completed the minimum portion of his life sentence, which caused widespread public anger. The decision was later reversed due to the strong public reaction, and it sparked renewed discussion about how the criminal justice system handles the needs of survivors.

In 2019, John Worboys was convicted of four more attacks on women that occurred between 2000 and 2006. He received two life sentences for admitting to drugging and then sexually assaulting them. Now 68 years old, Worboys is still in prison, but it has been confirmed he will have another parole hearing in June 2026 as he continues to seek release.

For actor Daniel Mays, playing a role connected to the case was deeply disturbing. He says he didn’t anticipate how strongly the material would affect him, especially as a father to a teenage daughter. He explained, “When I read the scripts, I was terrified, because I’m a father myself. I immediately thought of my 13-year-old daughter, Dixie. She’s starting to go out on her own, taking trains, and soon she’ll likely be in taxis. As a father, I found the story incredibly upsetting and frightening to read.”

He shared that some of his close friends and family wondered if he should accept the role, given how dark and disturbing it was. He described the experience as mentally challenging before and during filming, and the character as very lonely. His biggest task was to portray the character as a relatable human being, which he found deeply unsettling and difficult.

Don’t miss the next episode of Believe Me, airing this Monday, May 11th, at 9pm on ITV. You can also catch up on all episodes right now on ITX.

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2026-05-11 21:19