A New Drama Sheds Light on a Dark Chapter in London’s History
ITV’s latest drama, Believe Me, has captured the attention of both critics and audiences with its powerful portrayal of John Worboys, a black cab driver who sexually assaulted numerous women in the late 1990s and early 2000s. The four-part series premiered on Sunday night and has already received widespread praise for its compelling storytelling and strong performances.
The show centers on the experiences of several of Worboys’ victims, including those played by Aimée-Ffion Edwards and Aasiya Shah. These characters represent some of the estimated 100 women who came forward after being drugged and assaulted in the back of his taxi. The drama not only highlights the trauma these individuals endured but also explores the systemic failures that allowed Worboys to evade justice for so long.
One of the most praised aspects of the series is Daniel Mays’ performance as Worboys. Christopher Stevens from the Daily Mail gave the show a five-star review, noting that Mays “specialises in a blend of creepy chirpiness, and he turns this up to maximum.” Stevens added that even though much of Mays’ performance is subtle — shown through his eyes in the rear-view mirror or his hands preparing a cocktail of sleeping pills — it is enough to leave viewers feeling uneasy.
A Focus on Survivors and Justice
Written by BAFTA-winning screenwriter Jeff Pope, who previously worked on See No Evil: The Moors Murders, Believe Me also delves into the story of Carrie, played by Miriam Petche. Carrie is based on the real-life character of Carrie Johnson, the future wife of Boris Johnson, who took a public stand when Worboys was up for parole.
Pope spoke to all three of the women whose stories are fictionalized in the script. He described the process of gaining their trust as “a long process… that took a number of years.” His approach to the subject matter has been widely praised for its sensitivity and depth.
Lucy Mangan from the Guardian gave the show a four-star rating, calling it a “sensitive, compelling look at their fight for justice.” She highlighted how the drama places the survivors in the spotlight while keeping the perpetrator in the background, a choice that many critics have praised.
Johnathon Hughes from the Radio Times also awarded the show four stars, stating that Pope “is a maestro at crafting dramas that eloquently voice the public’s anger towards a system that too often gets it so spectacularly wrong.”
Mixed Reactions from Critics
Despite the overall positive reception, some critics have pointed out areas where the show could improve. Anita Singh from the Telegraph gave the drama three stars, acknowledging the strong performances from Edwards and Shah but also noting that “the drama has missteps.” She warned that “there needs to be a justification for these programmes, otherwise they can tip into queasy entertainment.”
Nick Hilton from the Independent shared a similar view, giving the show three stars. While he praised the cast’s sensitive portrayal of the characters and Pope’s decision to shift the focus toward broader issues of the justice system, he felt the show “appears to feel an obligation to show the offending, so that it can fully demonstrate the establishment’s complacency.”
A Thoughtful Take on True Crime
Ben Dowell from the Times offered a more favorable review, calling Believe Me “a must-watch.” He praised Pope for turning complex material, including legal actions taken by the victims, into a “punchy, dramatically coherent whole.” Dowell also addressed the common criticism of true crime dramas, stating that “some people don’t like true crime dramas, thinking most are prurient and exploitative. This is not one of those shows.”
Conclusion
Believe Me has sparked important conversations about justice, accountability, and the impact of systemic failures. With its powerful performances and thought-provoking narrative, the series offers a compelling look at a dark chapter in London’s history. It is now available on ITV1 and can be streamed on ITVX.
