ITV’s four-part true-crime drama I Fought the Law brings to life Ann Ming’s determined battle to overturn the UK’s double jeopardy law after the tragic 1989 murder of her daughter, Julie. Inspired by Ann’s book For the Love of Julie, the series stars Sheridan Smith in a powerful lead performance. It premiered on ITV1 and ITVX in August 2025.
On NetFilming, we’ll show you the real places in Northeast England where the drama was filmed.
Where was I Fought the Law filmed?
The show stayed true to its roots by filming in the Northeast, the region where the actual events unfolded. Key locations include Newcastle upon Tyne, County Durham and Teesside (Billingham, Middlesbrough, and Redcar), Hartlepool, Saltburn-by-the-Sea, and areas around North Tyneside. Support for the shoot also came from North East Screen through the North East Production Fund.
Newcastle upon Tyne
A large part of production was based in Newcastle. Filming featured well-known areas such as the Quayside and the historic Crown Posada pub, built in 1880. These locations offered atmospheric city views tied to the River Tyne and the region’s industrial character.
Trivia: Newcastle has hosted filming for several major projects, including Vera, The Dumping Ground and Marvel’s Avengers: Infinity War (which used the Tyne Bridge as a backdrop).
County Durham / Teesside (Billingham, Middlesbrough & Redcar)
Since Ann Ming lived in Billingham, the production recreated much of her story around Teesside. Middlesbrough Town Hall served as a courtroom set, thanks to its preserved woodwork, ornate chambers, and authentic civic galleries. Crews were also spotted around Shiremoor, RSPB Saltholme, Saltburn, and Newcastle’s Quayside during regional shoots.
Trivia: Middlesbrough and the Teesside area have been used in other dramas like Inspector George Gently and The Mighty Redcar.
Hartlepool
Hartlepool provided a striking filming site at a disused police station on Raby Road. This location helped the team replicate late 1980s and early 1990s police environments, adding to the series’ realism. Local residents noticed filming activity around civic buildings during production.
Trivia: Hartlepool has also been used as a backdrop in The Dumping Ground and several BBC dramas set in northern England.
Saltburn-by-the-Sea (Saltburn Pier)
The show also filmed at Saltburn Pier, a Victorian landmark and the first pier constructed in the Northeast. It plays a key role in an emotional scene, with local newspaper props helping to mirror the real-life timeline of events.
Trivia: Saltburn Pier was previously featured in Saltburn (2023), directed by Emerald Fennell, which showcased the town’s dramatic coastline.
Forest Hall & Shiremoor (North Tyneside)
Sheridan Smith was spotted shooting scenes in Forest Hall and Shiremoor. These residential neighborhoods offered the drama of realistic period-style streets and everyday backdrops.
Trivia: North Tyneside has seen film crews for productions such as ITV’s Vera and BBC’s Inspector George Gently.
Production Timeline
| Date / Period | Production Stage |
|---|---|
| August 2024 | Filming began across Teesside and Billingham. |
| September 2024 | Key shoots in Hartlepool and Newcastle. |
| October–November 2024 | Location work at Saltburn, Shiremoor, and Forest Hall. |
| Early 2025 | Post-production and editing. |
| August 2025 | Premiered on ITV1 and ITVX. |
“I Fought the Law” Behind The Scenes
The team had a hard time making “I Fought the Law” because they wanted to honour a true story that was full of sadness and victory. To get Ann Ming’s mannerisms just right, Sheridan Smith, who plays her, spent time with the real Ann. This included her strong North East accent and strong will. Ann came to the set a lot and told stories that helped shape the scenes.
The production had to deal with problems like accurately recreating settings from the 1980s and 1990s, from old police stations to family homes, all while keeping the emotional tone respectful. Director Erik Richter Strand tried to show the raw grief without making it too dramatic, and writer Jamie Crichton used Ann’s book as a guide to stay true to what happened.
According to Good Housekeeping, Sheridan Smith shared, “I Fought the Law is probably the hardest job I’ve ever done, partly because I wanted to do Ann Ming’s story justice. She’s a little firecracker of a woman who took on the establishment and won. She’s my hero.” She added that the role pushed her limits, especially filming intense courtroom moments.
Producer Liza Marshall explained the project’s appeal during tough times. As per the Royal Television Society site, she said, ‘During Covid, we all felt completely powerless. Yet here was this woman who’d done this extraordinary thing and never taken no for an answer.’ This drive mirrored Ann’s real fight, inspiring the crew. Jamie Crichton highlighted Sheridan’s casting as key.
In The Hollywood Reporter, he noted, “It’s impossible to speak for Ann, but I don’t know whether she would have let us tell her story if we hadn’t said we got Sheridan Smith on board.” Ann herself praised the team, telling Hello! magazine it was “a difficult watch” but spot-on.
Have you watched the series yet? Let us know which location you’d love to visit!
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