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topicnews · October 25, 2024

Shaun Evans appears unrecognizable as a serial killer in ITV’s new true crime drama Until I Kill You

Shaun Evans appears unrecognizable as a serial killer in ITV’s new true crime drama Until I Kill You

Shaun Evans and Anna Maxwell Martin star in ITV’s new true crime drama. Until I kill you – and it’s safe to say that the Endeavor star’s character is a far cry from Inspector Morse.

The series tells the true story of Delia Balmer (Maxwell-Martin), who survived a near-fatal relationship with murderer John Sweeney (Evans).

Based on Delia Balmer’s memoir, Living with a serial killerthe show hits our screens on Sunday November 3rd and will air over four consecutive evenings. Check out the trailer below.

WATCH: Shaun Evans looks unrecognizable in ‘Until I Kill You’

While viewers are used to seeing Shaun as a clean-shaven, honorable police inspector in the ITV detective drama, Make an effortwhich ended in 2023, he will take on the dark role of serial killer John in the upcoming series.

© ITV
Anna Maxwell Martin and Shaun Evans star in Until I Kill You.

The official synopsis for the four-parter reads: “In 1991, Delia leads a wandering and lonely life in London, working as a nurse. When she meets fellow free spirit John Sweeney at a local pub, it seems as if the connection she has is what she was looking for.

“As the relationship develops, Sweeney’s artistic, anti-establishment personality gives way to a darker sidewhich culminates in a series of violent attacks on Delia, during which he tells her that he killed his former girlfriend and dumped her body in an Amsterdam canal.

ANNA MAXWELL-MARTIN as Delia Balmer and SHAUN EVANS as John Sweeney in Until I Kill You© ITV
The drama is based on a true story

“Sweeney is arrested, but because the court disastrously failed to recognize how dangerous he is, he is released on bail. He immediately pursues Delia and subjects her to a terrible, almost fatal attack. She survives, but Sweeney evades capture and disappears.”

“Shattered by the trauma and hurt inflicted by Sweeney, Delia courageously attempts to rebuild her life. But seven years later, Sweeney returns and is arrested for the murder of another friend in north London. Delia’s fragile recovery is shattered again, as it must be.” She faces Sweeney in court because her testimony is crucial to the prosecution against him.

ANNA MAXWELL-MARTIN as Delia Balmer in Until I Kill You© ITV
The story is told in four episodes

“This is the story of one woman’s astonishing will to survive despite physical and emotional torment, despite the failure of the institutions meant to protect her.”

Sweeney attacked Delia with an ax in 1994, but she survived the brutal attack. By the time police arrived, Sweeney had fled the scene before eventually being arrested on two counts of murder and one count of attempted murder. The convicted murderer is currently serving a life sentence for the murders of Melissa Halstead and Paula Fields, as well as the attempted murder of Delia.

ANNA MAXWELL-MARTIN as Delia Balmer and SHAUN EVANS as John Sweeney in Until I Kill You© ITV
The series will air in November

Speaking about playing a real person on screen, Shaun said: “It’s not the first time I’ve played a role based on a real character. I’ve done that a few times. But never with such graphic materialand most of the people I played have already passed away. So this is the first time that the events are remembered in recent memory. That brings with it a lot of responsibility and obligation to be as fair as possible.”

Until I Kill You airs from Sunday November 3rd to Wednesday November 6th at 9pm on ITV1 and ITVX.