First look at Daniel Mays’ new crime drama with Slow Horses star

by

ITV has released a sneak peek at its new true crime drama, Believe Me, which features a talented cast. The four-episode series stars Aimée-Ffion Edwards (known for Slow Horses), Miriam Petche (Industry), Daniel Mays (A Thousand Blows), and Aasiya Shah (Raised by Wolves).

The new series will dramatize the story of John Worboys, portrayed by Mays, who is known as one of the UK’s most notorious sex offenders.

Worboys, dubbed the “black-cab rapist,” pretended to be a legitimate taxi driver to target and attack women. Authorities believe he may have harmed over 100 people.

John Worboys was found guilty in 2009 of attacking twelve women over a period of about a year, between 2007 and 2008. Later, in 2019, he was convicted of attacking four more women, with those incidents happening in 2000.

The show tells the story of Sarah Edwards and Laila Shah, who were sexually assaulted by John Worboys. It highlights how the Metropolitan Police didn’t properly investigate their reports, leaving the women feeling dismissed and unheard.

What to Read Next

It’s heartbreaking to hear so many women describe what happens after they report being raped. They often face incredibly invasive procedures – multiple interviews where they have to relive the trauma, and really personal evidence gathering. What’s even worse is how some police officers seem to doubt them, asking questions that feel like they’re blaming the victim. I was shocked to read about Laila, for example – she was actually asked if her red nail polish said something about her character! It’s just unbelievable and makes you so angry.

The report detailed how failures by the Metropolitan Police allowed David Worboys to continue assaulting women for years without being caught. After his trial, it became clear he was also connected to allegations of sexual offenses against more than a hundred other women.

In a statement, Sarah – whose name is being withheld – explained that the book, Believe Me, honors the bravery of the women who helped convict John Worboys.

The experience profoundly changed my life, but the most difficult part was struggling to be believed for years. If not for the support of those who believed me, the perpetrator would have gone free and continued to endanger women.

The pursuit of justice should not cause further harm. Survivors shouldn’t be forced to struggle to be heard or feel like they’re being questioned instead of the perpetrator. The responsibility for wrongdoing never falls on the person who experienced it.

Carrie Johnson, a survivor of a near-attack by Worboys and portrayed by Petche in the drama, stated she hopes the show will be a warning to the police, the Crown Prosecution Service, and the parole board. She believes these systems too often fail to protect women and girls.

The way the victims were treated was deeply upsetting. While improvements to the system are important, we need a fundamental change in how things are done to prevent this from happening again.

It’s incredibly brave for women to speak up about what they’ve experienced. They deserve to be taken seriously, treated with respect, and have confidence that a fair outcome will be pursued.

Believe Me will air on ITV1 and ITVX.

If this story has affected you, support is available. You can find more information and help from Rape Crisis England and Wales on their website or by calling 0808 802 9999. In Scotland, you can contact Rape Crisis Scotland on 08088 01 03 02.

If you are in the US and need help, please contact RAINN or the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800-656-4673.

Read More

2026-03-12 20:21