Line of Duty's Anna Maxwell Martin to lead ITV true crime drama Delia Balmer
Line of Duty's Anna Maxwell Martin will star as the titular lead of ITV's upcoming true crime drama, Delia Balmer.
The four-parter will focus on the extraordinary true story of Delia, who survived a near-fatal relationship with murderer John Sweeney, played by Endeavour's Shaun Evans.
Motherland's Anna said in a statement: "Telling an important story with the excellent team from World Productions, producer Ken Horn, director Julia Ford and a brilliant cast is always an exciting proposition! As it is brought to life by Nick Stevens, hopefully we will do Delia due diligence."
Shaun added: "I've previously worked with World Productions and ITV separately, so I'm looking forward to joining forces to tell this story. A story that is quite rightly told through the victim's lens, Delia. We have an excellent script from Nick Stevens and I couldn't be more delighted to work with Anna."
The drama will be adapted from Delia's book, Living with a Serial Killer, Delia Balmer, narrating the ordeal Delia suffered at the hands of John Sweeney, and her traumatic journey through the police and criminal justice system as they attempt to prosecute him for his crimes.
ITV's synopsis reads: "In 1991 Delia leads an itinerant and solitary life in London working as an agency nurse. When she meets fellow free-spirit John Sweeney in a local pub, it seems like the connection she has been searching for.
"As the relationship develops, Sweeney's artistic, anti-establishment persona gives way to a darker side, culminating in a series of violent attacks on Delia, during which he tells her he killed his former girlfriend and disposed of her body in an Amsterdam canal. Sweeney is arrested but, due to a catastrophic failure by the court to realise how dangerous he is, granted bail. He immediately pursues Delia and subjects her to a horrific, near-fatal attack. She survives, but Sweeney evades capture and disappears.
"Shattered by the trauma and injuries inflicted by Sweeney, Delia bravely seeks to rebuild her life. But Sweeney returns seven years later and is arrested for the murder of another girlfriend in North London. Delia’s fragile recovery is shattered all over again as she has to face Sweeney in open court, her testimony vital to the prosecution case against him."
This is the story of centres on Delia's resilience and astonishing will to survive through physical and emotional torment, despite the failings of the institutions which were meant to protect her.
The series is written by The Pembrokeshire Murders' Nick Stevens and directed by Julia Ford.
Delia Balmer will premiere on ITV1 and ITVX.
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