If you've been gripped by Believe Me on ITV, you'll be gutted to hear the miniseries is coming to an end tonight. The 4-part drama, which is an adaptation of the notorious true story of John Worboys, follows a group of women who bravely rose up against the serial sexual assaulter - dubbed the 'Black Cab rapist' - after police failed to properly investigate him.
The series synopsis reads: "We see what countless women say they have to go through after reporting being raped, the indignity of multiple interviews and intimate evidence gathering, and how they can face sceptical lines of questioning from the police.
"Believe Me will relate how the Met’s failings effectively left Worboys free to commit assaults undetected for many years; following his trial came the realisation that he was linked to allegations of further sexual offences against over a hundred women."
If you've struggled to look away from the harrowing adaptation of a true story, you might be looking for similar TV shows to watch next. Which is where these sublime dramas come in, perfect for binge-watching in one go and then Googling for hours afterwards.
Unbelievable
Where to watch: Netflix
Kaitlyn Dever and Toni Collette star in this mini-series, which follows an 18-year-old named Marie who reported being being raped in her apartment by a man who had climbed in through the window and bound and gagged her. Initially, she isn't believed by police, who claim she is an unreliable witness and poke holes in her story. But when two female detectives investigate a spate of similar attacks, the truth begins to come to light. Inspired by real life events, Unbelievable is an absolutely harrowing watch, but a story you can't look away from.
Three Girls
Where to watch: BBC iPlayer
A three episode mini-series based on child grooming and sexual assault victims in Rochdale, which took place over a five-year period between 2008 and 2013, where under age girls were plied with drugs and alcohol and sexually assaulted. After authorities failed to accept that three girls were victims of the child sex abuse ring, a social worker becomes the whistle-blower to spread awareness about the case.
Four Lives
Where to watch: BBC iPlayer
Starring Sheridan Smith, Four Lives came out in 2022 and is a BBC drama based on true events, which recounts the harrowing story of serial killer Stephen Port, who drugged and murdered four gay men in Barking, East London, between 2014 and 2015. After a severely flawed police investigation, the victims' families started a fight to bring justice for their loved ones.
Des
Where to watch: ITVX
Starring David Tennant as civil servant Dennis Nilsen, Des is a three-part television drama based on the 1983 arrest of the Scottish serial killer, who confesses to multiple murders. The miniseries originally aired in 2020, and sees Des questioned and charged by police after the discovery of human remains causing the blockage of a drain near his home.
The Serpent
Where to watch: Netflix
The Serpent is an 8-part true-crime limited series which was created in partnership between BBC and Netflix, and originally came out in 2021. The series tells the true story of French serial killer Charles Sobhraj (played by Tahar Rahim), who preyed on backpackers and hippies in 1970s Asia, drugging and murdering them. Jenna Coleman plays his accomplice Marie-Andrée Leclerc, whike Billy Howle plays Junior Dutch diplomat Herman Knippenberg, who risks his career to bring Charles to justice.
Baby Reindeer
Where to watch: Netflix
We can't forget the Baby Reindeer hype of 2024. Based on a true story, the Netflix series follows a struggling comedian who is dealing with a female stalker, whom he showed kindness to once, and the impact this has on his life. The situation forces Donny (played by Richard Gadd) to face buried trauma and sexual abuse from his past, and the impact of her relentless attention.
I Fought the Law
Where to watch: ITV
![from hera picturesi fought the law: sr1: ep2 on itv1 and itvxpictured: sheridan smith as ann ming daniel york loh as charlie ming this photograph is (c) hera pictures and can only be reproduced for editorial purposes directly in connection with the programme or event mentioned above, or itv plc. this photograph must not be manipulated [excluding basic cropping] in a manner which alters the visual appearance of the person photographed deemed detrimental or inappropriate by itv plc picture desk. this photograph must not be syndicated to any other company, publication or website, or permanently archived, without the express written permission of itv picture desk. full terms and conditions are available on the website www.itv.com/presscentre/itvpictures/terms](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/i-fought-the-law-sr1-ep2-09-68b707bced83d.jpg?resize=980:* "©ITV")
Sheridan Smith is arguably the queen of true life dramatisations, and I Fought The Law is no exception. The series, which came out last year, tells the devastating true story of Ann Ming - a mother who took on the legal system after the brutal murder of her daughter, Julie, in 1989. This powerful drama explores a real-life fight for justice that spanned nearly two decades, and changed British law forever.
Consider our evening viewing sorted.
