ITV Teases First Look at Disturbing True Crime Drama 'Believe Me'
ITV has unveiled the initial glimpse of its forthcoming true crime drama, Believe Me, which centres on the notorious rapist John Worboys. Known infamously as the 'black cab rapist', Worboys exploited his position as a licensed taxi driver to prey on women, luring them with false claims of lottery wins or casino windfalls before drugging them with champagne to facilitate his assaults.
Convictions and Criminal History
Worboys was initially convicted in 2009, receiving a life sentence for attacks on 12 women over a three-year period. A decade later, he faced further convictions for four additional assaults, with the earliest dating back to 2000. The drama aims to shed light on the systemic failures that allowed his crimes to persist.
Starring Role and Actor's Perspective
In the series, Worboys is portrayed by actor Daniel Mays, aged 47, known for roles in EastEnders, Inside No.9, and Line of Duty. Mays has described taking on this role as a 'huge responsibility', emphasising that the story is not about Worboys' motives but rather the victims' experiences. He stated, 'This is told from the perspective of the victims, and for them to tell their truth, have their stories told – the ordeals that they went through and the fight they took on against the Metropolitan Police and the court systems.'
Focus on Victims and Police Failures
Believe Me primarily follows the harrowing ordeals of Sarah, played by Aimée-Ffion Edwards, and Laila, portrayed by Aasiya Shah. These characters represent the real-life victims who reported sexual assaults by Worboys, only to be met with inadequate investigations by the Metropolitan Police, leaving them feeling disbelieved and neglected.
Personal Impact on the Actor
Daniel Mays revealed that the role had a profound personal effect on him, particularly as a father to a teenage daughter. He admitted, 'I actually underestimated how much it was going to affect me. When I got these scripts, it absolutely terrified me, because I'm a father myself. My head immediately went to my 13-year-old daughter.' This connection made the portrayal particularly unsettling, as he aimed to humanise Worboys while grappling with the character's disturbing nature.
Production and Release Details
The drama is set to premiere soon on ITV1, ITVX, STV, and STV Player. Mays, who has an extensive career including roles in The Thursday Murder Club and an Olivier-nominated performance in Guys & Dolls, highlighted the isolation and challenge of playing such a character, noting the difficulty in balancing artistic portrayal with the gravity of the real-life crimes.
