ITV has unveiled first-look images for its upcoming four-part true crime series Believe Me, featuring a cast including Daniel Mays and Aimée-Ffion Edwards. The drama recounts the story of serial sex offender John Worboys and the failures of the Metropolitan Police in investigating victims' reports. It highlights the challenges faced by survivors Sarah and Laila in seeking justice.
The series Believe Me centers on John Worboys, known as the "black-cab rapist," who targeted women while posing as a licensed taxi driver. Police estimate he may have assaulted more than 100 victims. Worboys was convicted in 2009 of attacking 12 women between 2007 and 2008. In 2019, he received additional convictions for assaults on four women dating back to 2000.
Believe Me focuses on the experiences of two victims: Sarah, played by Aimée-Ffion Edwards from Slow Horses, and Laila, portrayed by Aasiya Shah from Raised by Wolves. The synopsis describes how the Metropolitan Police's inadequate investigations left the women feeling disbelieved, subjecting them to repeated interviews, intimate evidence collection, and skeptical questioning. For example, an officer asked Laila if her red nail varnish reflected her character.
The drama illustrates how these police shortcomings allowed Worboys to continue his attacks undetected for years. Following his trial, he was connected to allegations from over 100 women.
Sarah, whose identity is protected, stated: "Believe Me is about the courage of every woman who came forward to help put John Worboys behind bars. What happened to me changed my life, but in many ways, the hardest part was not being believed for so many years. Without the people who stood by me, Worboys would have been freed and continued to pose a huge risk to women. Seeking justice shouldn’t mean more trauma. We shouldn’t have to fight to be believed or feel like we’re the ones on trial. The shame never belongs to the survivor."
Carrie Johnson, who escaped an assault by Worboys and is played by Miriam Petche from Industry, added: "I hope Believe Me serves as a wake-up call to the police, the CPS, and the parole board. Far too often, women and girls are failed by the very institutions meant to protect them. The treatment of the victims in this case was truly shameful. Reform matters, but what we urgently need above all is a profound shift in culture. It takes enormous courage for women to come forward. They must know that when they do, they will be treated seriously and with respect, and that every effort will be made to ensure justice is done."
Daniel Mays from A Thousand Blows stars as Worboys. The series will air on ITV1 and ITVX.
