First look at ITV's chilling Yorkshire Ripper drama with all-star cast
The real story behind The Yorkshire Ripper is set to be shown in a new ITV series, The Long Shadow.
ITV will share the drama over seven episodes, documenting the chilling crimes of one of England's most notorious serial killers who was convicted of thirteen murders and seven attempted murders.
The brutal killer whose real name was Peter Sutcliffe, was sentenced to twenty concurrent life sentences which was eventually turned into a whole life sentence in 2010. The new drama which is set to air on the network in October will showcase the five-year hunt for Bingley-born killer.
Sutcliffe, who carried out his hideous crimes between 1975 and 1980 eventually died while being held at Broadmoor Hospital aged 74 on November 13, 2020. ITV have confirmed that the new drama starring Toby Jones will focus on the lives of his victims and the police officers who were at the very centre of the investigation.
ITV has released the first look at the seven-part drama (ITV)The network has also stated that the story of the victims, their loved ones and Sutcliffe's survivors are at the heart of the new series. Bosses behind the show delved through extensive archives of the investigations to discover Sutcliffe's identity, revised interview transcripts and also police reports from the time.
Double killer who slit girlfriend's throat within weeks of release jailed
As the police struggled to capture the Yorkshire Ripper, he went on to murder a string of women as well as attempting to murder several others. The seven-part drama will also highlight the parallels between the horrific crimes and those in recent society, as well as focusing on the misogyny, racism and violence against women.
Katherine Kelly is playing Sutcliffe's victim, Emily Jackson (ITV)Actor Toby Jones will take on the role of DCS Dennis Hoban who headed up the initial enquiry, while David Morrisey plays DCS George Oldfield who later took on the investigation into the murders. Former Coronation Street actress Katherine Kelly will play his victim, Emily Jackson, with David Mays playing her husband, Sydney Jackson. Meanwhile, Shaun Thomas is taking on the role of their son, Neil.
Former Waterloo Road actress Jill Halfpenny will be playing Doreen Hill, with Daisy Waterstone playing her daughter, Jacqueline Hill. Meanwhile, Charley Webb, Shaun Dooley, Liz White, Alexa Davies and Stephen Tompkinson will also be making appearances.
Screenwriting comes from George Kay, while BAFTA-winning director Lewis Arnold is behind the camera. Speaking about the drama, ITV's Head of Drama, Polly Hill said: "George's scripts and Lewis' direction together with this wonderful cast have produced a sensitive and brilliant drama that we are proud to have on ITV."
The series will sensitively portray the hunt for the vile killer (ITV)Sutcliffe was eventually stopped by police on January 2, 1981, with prostitute Olivia Reivers alongside him in the Broomhill area of Sheffield, South Yorks. A cop noticed that his car had false number plates, leading to his arrest. Upon being taken to Dewsbury Police Station, police noticed that he matched the description and physical characteristics of the murderer they were looking for.
Just one day later, police returned to investigate and found a knife, hammer and rope which he had discarded away from the police. He also hid a knife in the toilet at a police station. After being questioned for 48 hours, he finally confessed that he was the Yorkshire Ripper, telling police: "The women I killed were filth. Bastard prostitutes who were littering the streets. I was just cleaning up the place a bit." He later claimed that he had been ordered by God to carry out the killings. Although he showed no regret for his victims, apart from his known youngest, Jayne MacDonald who was just 16. He was charged on January 5 and it's believed that he had many more victims that we are unaware of.
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