I Fought the Law is ITV’s gripping new true crime drama based on the 1989 murder of Julie Hogg and her mother Ann Ming’s extraordinary 17-year fight to change the law and bring her daughter’s killer to justice.
Back in November 1989, Julie, a young mother from Billingham, County Durham, vanished after a pizza delivery shift. Her body was found 80 days later hidden behind the bath panel in her own home. Despite two trials, William "Billy" Dunlop wasn’t convicted. When he later confessed, the centuries-old double jeopardy law prevented a retrial.
Ann’s tireless campaigning led to a landmark legal change in 2003, and in 2006, Dunlop was finally convicted of Julie’s murder.
Starring Sheridan Smith as Ann, the series began on Sunday 31st August, with episode two airing the following night.
"Those nine weeks were the hardest thing I've ever done. When I do make-believe, fiction, I can turn off. But with a massive, true, courageous story and someone trusting you, if I don’t let myself feel that raw emotion it’s not doing Ann justice," Smith said on filming.
Read on to find out when the next episode will air, as well as a full episode guide.
When is the next episode of I Fought the Law on?
The next episode of I Fought the Law will air on ITV1 on Sunday 7th September.
This will be the third episode in the series.
The episode summary reads: "Ann and Charlie try to rebuild their life together as a shock confession sees Ann launch a campaign that is thwarted by an 800-year-old law."
How to watch I Fought the Law
I Fought the Law is available to watch live on ITV1 at 9pm. All four episodes are also available to stream on ITVX if you'd prefer to watch the entire series at once.
I Fought the Law TV release schedule
- Episode 1 - Sunday 31st August at 9pm (already aired)
- Episode 2 - Monday 1st September at 9pm (already aired)
- Episode 3 - Sunday 7th September at 9pm
- Episode 4 - Monday 8th September at 9pm
For more info on each episode, see below:
Episode 1 - In 1989, Ann Ming is devastated when her daughter Julie disappears and begs police to take action.
Episode 2 - Ann puts more pressure on the police to uncover the truth about Julie’s disappearance, as a suspect is charged and faces trial.
Episode 3 - As Ann and Charlie work to move forward, a startling confession reopens old wounds and sparks Ann’s fight for justice - one that’s stopped in its tracks by a century-old law.
Episode 4 - Determined to get justice for her daughter Julie, Ann challenges the British legal system and begins a relentless fight to overturn the double jeopardy law.
I Fought the Law airs on ITV1 and ITX.
