ITV’s ‘Believe Me’: Daniel Mays Reflects on the Emotional Toll of Portraying the “Black Cab Rapist” as Writer Jeff Pope Highlights Victims’ Stories
The forthcoming ITV drama Believe Me features a compelling cast of established and emerging British talent, including Aimée-Ffion Edwards, Aasiya Shah, and Miriam Petche. The four-episode series stars Daniel Mays as John Worboys, infamously known in the UK as the “Black Cab Rapist.” The show aims to shed light on the harrowing experiences of the women affected by his crimes.
A Harrowing Narrative
Believe Me delves into the painful realities faced by victims of sexual assault. The series captures the indignities of police interviews and the intimate evidence-gathering process, portraying the skepticism often encountered from law enforcement. The narrative aims to bring to the forefront the stories of those who suffered due to Worboys’ actions.
Written and executive produced by Jeff Pope, known for his work on Philomena and Stan & Ollie, the series is produced by Etta Pictures in association with ITV Studios. Directed by Julia Ford, the drama tells the story of victims who were failed by the system. Worboys was convicted in 2009 for sexual assault and drugging with intent against 12 women between 2006 and 2008, with many more suspected victims.
Focus on Victims
The series centers on the experiences of two women, portrayed by Edwards and Shah, who reported their assaults but found their cases inadequately investigated by the Metropolitan Police. This failure allowed Worboys to continue his assaults undetected for years. Following his trial, it was revealed that he was linked to allegations involving over a hundred women.
Believe Me is set to premiere on ITV and ITVX in May, with the exact launch date yet to be announced. Filmed in Cardiff, the production received support from the Welsh government through Creative Wales.
Exploring True Crime
Pope has a history of exploring true-crime narratives, having worked on projects like The Widower and The Reckoning, which examined the crimes of Jimmy Savile. He emphasizes the importance of focusing on the human fallout of crimes rather than glorifying the perpetrators. The creative team quickly agreed that the focus of Believe Me would be on the victims’ experiences. Pope noted that the women involved were drugged and aware that something had occurred, yet they were left in the dark about the specifics.
Emotional Challenges in Portrayal
Mays, who previously collaborated with Pope on Mrs Biggs and Suspect: The Shooting of Jean Charles de Menezes, expressed confidence in the strength of Believe Me. He highlighted Pope’s meticulous storytelling and journalistic background as key factors in creating a compelling narrative. Mays described the role of Worboys as a significant acting challenge, stating that portraying an evil character requires a nuanced approach to humanize him while remaining true to the horrific nature of his actions.
Mays acknowledged the emotional toll of embodying such a character, admitting that it was a difficult and unsettling experience. He emphasized the isolation that came with portraying someone so deeply flawed.
A Balanced Portrayal
Director Julia Ford described the series as a fair and balanced representation of the victims’ experiences. She noted that the narrative focuses on the systemic failures rather than blaming individual police officers. The aim is to tell the story from the victims’ perspective, highlighting the poor treatment they received from law enforcement.
As reported by www.hollywoodreporter.com.
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Published on 2026-04-20 11:55:00 • By FAME Delivered News Desk