Real-life survivor of Daniel Mays’ gripping ITV drama Believe Me dubs series a “compulsory” watch

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Note: The following article contains discussion of rape and sexual misconduct.

The woman whose story inspired the ITV drama Believe Me believes the series should be required viewing for all police, especially in light of the mistakes made by the Metropolitan Police during the case involving serial abuser John Worboys.

Daniel Mays played the role of John, a man who sexually assaulted women, while Aimée-Ffion Edwards, Aasiya Shah, and Miriam Petche portrayed his victims, Sarah, Laila, and Carrie. The series focuses on the terrifying experiences of these women, who were drugged by John while riding in his taxi, and their determined fight for justice, even though the police didn’t offer much help.

Speaking on Good Morning Britain, Sarah – who chose to use a pseudonym to protect her privacy – shared how she still feels guilt over the crimes committed by John Worboys. She explained that she was drugged and raped by him in 2003, and the emotional impact continues to affect her, mirroring the experience of a character portrayed on television.

The survivor strongly encouraged the police to watch the series created by Jeff Pope, explaining how devastating it was to feel disbelieved, especially by them. She felt they planted doubt in her partner’s mind, making it hard for him to support her despite wanting to, because he’d been led to believe the events likely didn’t occur. Ultimately, she was explicitly told by investigators that they didn’t believe it had happened.

As a longtime follower of this case, I recently heard from the Metropolitan Police, and they wanted everyone to know they’re still thinking of all the people affected by John Worboys’ terrible crimes. It’s good to know the victims and survivors haven’t been forgotten.

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We’ve already said sorry for the serious mistakes made during the investigation and the pain this caused. This case has led to major changes in how we investigate rape and sexual offenses. Today, we’re working with others in the justice system to make sure victims are prioritized and to focus more closely on the behavior of those accused.

Sarah urged other victims to report the abuse and pursue legal action, stating, “It’s important to press charges so he can’t harm anyone else. We need to keep him in prison to protect young women and girls.”

Discussing the public reaction, she explained that many viewers have questioned why the characters accepted the drink. She said the character’s decision was a result of manipulation – they simply wanted to end the uncomfortable situation. She emphasized that no one should blame themselves or others for accepting the drink under those circumstances.

I was so blown away by the acting in this project! Mays posted on Instagram about how amazing his co-stars were, and he’s right – their performances were truly heartbreaking. He said what they had to do was incredibly challenging, and they really dove deep into their roles with a ton of research and detail. It was so emotional, subtle, and honestly, really brave. I couldn’t have asked for more from them!

I didn’t see what happened outside the taxi, but I was deeply touched by all three girls when I first watched the performance.

Many viewers agreed, praising the performances of the entire cast in his comments section. One fan simply wrote, “Hats off to everyone involved!”

Believe Me is available to stream now on ITVX.

If this story has been upsetting, 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’s helpline at 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.

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2026-05-18 18:19