Sheridan Smith on Portraying Murder Campaign Mum Ann Ming: "Hardest Thing I’ve Ever Done," Role Leaves Her in Tears

Sheridan Smith Portrays Grieving Mother Ann Ming in Emotional ITV Drama I Fought The Law

[Image: Sheridan Smith as Ann Ming in a tense scene from I Fought The Law]
Caption: Sheridan Smith stars as Ann Ming in ITV’s gripping drama, depicting her fight to overturn double jeopardy laws.

Sheridan Smith fought back tears while discussing her latest role as Ann Ming, the real-life mother who changed British legal history after her daughter’s murder. Ann’s relentless 15-year crusade to reform the double jeopardy law—which prevented retrying acquitted individuals—is the focus of ITV’s new four-part series I Fought The Law.

A Mother’s Unthinkable Loss
In 1989, Ann’s 22-year-old daughter, Julie Hogg, vanished from her home in Billingham, County Durham. Police dismissed Julie as a runaway, but Ann’s instincts told her otherwise. Three months later, she discovered Julie’s decomposing body hidden behind a bath panel. The young mother had been strangled, sexually assaulted, and concealed for weeks. “I knew something was wrong from day one,” Ann recalls. “Finding her gave me the strength to fight.”

[Image: Ann Ming and Sheridan Smith at a recent event, holding hands]
Caption: Ann Ming (left) comforts Sheridan Smith during an emotional interview about the series.

A Flawed System and a Relentless Fight
Julie’s ex-boyfriend, Billy Dunlop, faced two trials but walked free after both juries deadlocked. When Dunlop bragged about evading justice, Ann channeled her grief into action. She lobbied politicians, delivered speeches in the House of Lords, and ultimately influenced the 2003 reform of the double jeopardy law. By 2006, Dunlop became the first person retried and convicted under the new law. Ann received an MBE for her activism in 2007.

Sheridan’s Emotional Journey
For Sheridan, portraying Ann was “the hardest thing I’ve ever done.” As a mother to five-year-old Billy, she connected deeply with Ann’s anguish. “Losing a child is unimaginable,” she said, her voice breaking. “Ann’s resilience—facing a broken system and still fighting—is extraordinary.”

[Image: Julie Hogg and Billy Dunlop in archival photos]
Caption: Julie Hogg (left) was murdered by Billy Dunlop (right), who was convicted in 2006 after legal reforms.

Authenticity and Impact
Sheridan studied Ann’s mannerisms and Teesside accent, even replicating gestures from real footage. “I wanted to honor her pain and truth,” she explained. The role left her emotionally drained, but yoga and meditation helped her cope. “Ann’s story reminds us how one person can change history,” Sheridan added.

I Fought The Law airs Sunday and Monday at 9pm on ITV1 and ITVX. A documentary, I Fought The Law: The Ann Ming Story, follows on September 11.

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