ITV announces record audiences for Until I Kill You - with only one show getting more streams
Until I Kill You is the latest true crime series to have TV fans hooked on ITVX. The programme tells the story of Delia Balmer (played by Anna Maxwell Martin), who survived a terrifying relationship with murderer John Sweeney (Shaun Evans). ITV has released the viewership figures for the series, revealing it to be one of the broadcaster's most popular dramas to date.
Until I Kill You had more than 10 millions streams in its first week, making it ITVX's second most popular show behind Mr Bates v The Post Office. The full series was released on 3 November on ITVX and it appears many may have opted to binge-watch the entirety of Until I Kill You, as streaming hours have increased by nearly a third compared with the same period last year.
The four-part drama is based on Delia's memoir, Living With A Serial Killer. The show aims to highlight her bravery and resilience during her traumatic experience with the police and criminal justice system as they tried to prosecute Sweeney for his hideous crimes.
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Until I Kill You has received five-star reviews from critics and Anna has been praised for her portrayal of Delia. The Guardian's review read: "This extraordinary portrait of Delia Balmer, who survived a relationship with the murderer John Sweeney, is that rarest of things – fearless TV that values viewers’ intelligence.”
Alongside the series, a documentary featuring interviews with Delia has been released, giving her the opportunity to directly tell her story. ITV explained: "This is the story of one woman’s astonishing will to survive through physical and emotional torment, despite the failings of the institutions which were meant to protect her."
While working as an agency nurse in London in 1991, Delia met Sweeney in a local pub. The pair's relationship moved fast and Sweeney soon moved into Delia's home, but his dark side began to show. He soon committed a number of violent attacks on Delia and admitted to murdering his ex-girlfriend Melissa Halstead.
Sweeney was arrested but was granted bail and during this time, he subjected Delia to a near-fatal attack, which left her with life-changing physical and mental scars. The murderer avoided capture for six years before heading back to London, where he was arrested for the murder of girlfriend Paula Fields.
While Delia tried to move on, her recovery was halted again when she had to provide a vital testimony against Sweeney in court. Sweeney is currently serving multiple life sentences for the attempted murder of Delia Balmer and murders of Melissa Halstead and Paula Fields.
Until I Kill You is available to watch on ITVX.
