The new ITV drama Believe Me tells the story of the women attacked by the so-called 'black-cab rapist', John Worboys, but with a crucial difference: it places the survivors at the centre. This four-part series, created by Jeff Pope, is a punchy, intelligent drama that other television shows would do well to learn from.
A Shift in Focus
Pope has deliberately pushed the perpetrator into the background. Worboys, played by Daniel Mays, is given only as much screen time as necessary. 'I'm not really interested in trying to get inside the mind of psychopaths,' Pope has said. Instead, the drama highlights the heroism of ordinary women and the failings of the institutions that should protect them.
The series follows the stories of several of the 14 women who reported being drugged and assaulted by Worboys. These women were part of a larger group of over 100 victims who came forward after his conviction. The first two episodes focus on Sarah (Aimée-Ffion Edwards) and Laila (Aasiya Shah), whose experiences are portrayed with sensitivity and realism.
Sarah's Story
Sarah is picked up by Worboys after a night out with friends, nine months after giving birth. She wakes up in hospital with no memory of how she got there. She finds bruises, torn tights, and evidence of assault. When she reports it to the police, she faces scepticism and invasive tests. The police fail to investigate properly, and the case is closed.
Laila's Ordeal
Laila endures a similar process, with additional humiliation. She must repeatedly explain that her period and vomiting were not signs of heavy drinking but evidence of assault. She wakes up with her jeans button torn off and her tampon missing, but the police dismiss her claims.
A Compelling, Non-Exploitative Drama
The women's suffering is real and vivid, not just from the assaults but from the wider insult of not being believed. The script is punchy and intelligent, making the drama compelling without being exploitative. Director Julia Ford focuses on the emotional and physical toll on the survivors, using close-ups of their faces during invasive medical exams to convey their pain.
Believe Me is a role model for other TV shows. It demonstrates how to handle sensitive subject matter with care and respect for the victims. Pope's next project, about the murder of Sarah Everard, is one not to fear if it follows the same approach.
Will this drama make a difference to how we treat these rampant crimes? That remains to be seen, but Believe Me is a powerful step in the right direction.
