Review: ITV’s Until I Kill You

A Gritty, True Crime Drama with an Unforgettable Lead Performance

November 2024 has seen the much-anticipated release of Until I Kill You. ITV’s intense true crime drama based on the real-life experiences of Delia Balmer. With Anna Maxwell Martin in the lead role and Shaun Evans portraying the infamous serial killer John Sweeney. The series follows the chilling tale of survival, resilience, and the terrifying ordeal of evading a violent killer.

*Credit: Until I Kill You and ITV1 and ITVX*

Synopsis and Setting

Until I Kill You plunges viewers into the gripping real-life events faced by Delia Balmer, an agency nurse whose life is shattered after meeting John Sweeney. Known for his monstrous acts and elusive nature, Sweeney has a history of violent behaviour, which eventually becomes all too real for Delia. The drama, with its chilling accuracy, not only reflects her harrowing experiences but also the alarming failures within the police system that allowed Sweeney to evade capture for far too long, sparking a sense of outrage and concern in the audience.

The series has resonated with audiences. Particularly those drawn to the contemporary wave of true crime dramas that don’t shy away from the brutality and human toll behind each headline. What sets this story apart is its personal take on the ‘serial killer’ genre, delving deep into Delia’s life and the enduring impact of such trauma.

Character Portrayals: Standout Performances by Anna Maxwell Martin and Shaun Evans

At the heart of Until I Kill You is the outstanding performance by TV star Anna Maxwell Martin as Delia Balmer. Known for her roles in Motherland and Line of Duty. Maxwell Martin brings a remarkable sensitivity and intensity to her role as Delia. Through her performance, audiences gain insight into the horror, disbelief, and gradual empowerment that define Delia’s journey. Maxwell Martin’s portrayal has been described as “raw” and “relentless,” her on-screen vulnerability making Delia’s ordeal strikingly real. The show’s power lies in making viewers feel as if they are living the experience alongside her.

On the opposite side, Shaun Evans delivers an unsettling and terrifying performance as John Sweeney. His depiction of the serial killer is chilling yet controlled. Embodying the charm, intelligence, and volatility that made Sweeney such a dangerous individual in real life. Evans’s portrayal has received widespread acclaim. Managing to convey both the cunning and the psychopathic coldness of a man who, for years, was able to outsmart and elude law enforcement.

The True Story: A Chilling and Heart-Wrenching Narrative

The storyline in Until I Kill You follows Delia as she navigates her relationship with Sweeney, initially unaware of his dark past. However, as she begins to see his true nature, the reality becomes a living nightmare. This drama does not shy away from showing the psychological toll on Delia. Emphasising how her life was not just threatened but wholly shattered. Each episode takes viewers deeper into her ordeal, revealing the horror of knowing her attacker was still out there, evading capture and possibly planning another attack.

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 is vital to the prosecution case against him.

More than just a survival story, the series also delves into the long-term trauma that lingers – how Delia grappled to rebuild her life after enduring such unimaginable horror.

Script and Direction: Capturing Realism and Fear

ITV has taken meticulous care in portraying this true story, collaborating with real-life experts and incorporating details that lend authenticity to the narrative. The director’s approach to building suspense is effective, slowly unveiling Sweeney’s manipulative and violent tendencies. The pacing in each episode is deliberate. Allowing the horror to unfold gradually, keeping viewers on edge without becoming overly gratuitous.

The script strikes a delicate balance, emphasising the story’s horror and human side. It avoids sensationalising violence and instead focuses on the psychological aspects, particularly the lasting effects on Delia’s life. As we follow Delia’s journey, we also see the systemic issues within the police force that allowed Sweeney to evade justice. This focus on institutional failures adds another layer to the drama. Raising questions about accountability and how these tragedies can be prevented in the future.

Cultural Impact: Why Until I Kill You Matters in the True Crime Genre

Until I Kill You joins a growing list of true crime series that aim to entertain and inform audiences about the broader societal issues at play. Unlike many fictionalised true crime shows, this one feels more grounded in reality. Perhaps because of Maxwell Martin’s ability to bring an authentic vulnerability to her character. For viewers, Until I Kill You isn’t just another serial killer show; it’s a story that sheds light on how victims of violent crime continue to suffer long after the crimes are over.

By highlighting the flaws within the police investigation, the series forces viewers to confront the real-life issues that allowed a serial killer like Sweeney to remain free for so long. This aspect of the show is likely to spark discussions about the need for systemic change in how authorities handle domestic and violent crimes.

Production Values and Cinematic Style

Visually, the show opts for a gritty, subdued aesthetic that matches the sombre mood of the narrative. The cinematography and intense music choices create an atmosphere of tension and impending danger. The way Delia’s small, familiar world becomes filled with paranoia and fear is conveyed through clever use of lighting and close-up shots that highlight her isolation.

Conclusion: A Must-Watch Drama with Lasting Resonance

In summary, Until I Kill You stands out as one of ITV’s most gripping dramas of November 2024. For fans of true crime, it provides not only a haunting story of survival. But also an unflinching look at the challenges faced by victims of violent crime. Thanks to stellar performances from Anna Maxwell Martin and Shaun Evans, this series has quickly become a standout in the genre. Taking viewers on a journey that feels as raw as it is real. Each episode draws viewers further into Delia’s world, making her fear and determination palpable.

If you’re a fan of true crime or simply looking for a gripping, thought-provoking series, Until I Kill You is a must-watch. But be warned – this is not a drama for the faint-hearted. It’s an unfiltered look at the real-life horrors faced by those who survive violent crime and continue to live with the psychological scars for years to come.

Episodes can be found on ITVX.

Episode Synopsis

EPISODE 01

London, 1991: Out for a drink in a local pub with her nursing colleagues, Delia Balmer meets carpenter John Sweeney, who recently returned from Amsterdam. Beguiled by his rebellious attitude and approach to life, a relationship starts, and Delia soon invites him to move into her flat. In Amsterdam, we meet American Jack Halstead, who appeals to the Dutch police for help finding his missing daughter, Melissa.

On a Christmas trip to meet Sweeney’s family in Skelmersdale, Delia discovers he has an ex-wife and children he no longer sees. What else is he hiding from her? As the relationship worsens and Delia grows more afraid of Sweeney’s temper, Leah counsels her to throw him out. But Delia’s attempt to break up with Sweeney prompts him to reveal his darkest secret and his true violent nature.

EPISODE 02

Delia uses all her guile to escape Sweeney’s violence. With Leah’s help, she must decide what to do next – will going to the police put her in more danger from Sweeney? Delia reluctantly talks to the local police Domestic Violence unit, but when they accompany her back to her flat, Sweeney has fled.

Frustrated with the police’s attitude to Sweeney’s disturbing drawings of his ex-girlfriend, Melissa, Delia refuses to leave her flat and go to temporary accommodation. After Sweeney attacks Delia a second time, the police arrest and charge him, but astonishingly, he is granted bail. Once again, Delia finds herself at risk.

EPISODE 03

Having barely escaped with her life, Delia lies in a critical condition in hospital as police search for Sweeney. Whilst Delia endures a long recovery, Sweeney continues to evade capture. With her family in North America and no friends allowed to visit for security, Delia initially relies on her Family Liaison Officer, Jane Barker, but so intense is Delia’s PTSD and the anger she feels towards the police that their
relationship cannot continue.

Plagued by PTSD and nightmares, Delia nevertheless picks up the pieces of her life and moves to a new council flat. She meets David, a sweet man who sees past her prickly exterior. At long last, Delia finds a modicum of happiness. But when news arrives that Sweeney has finally been arrested and she must give evidence against him in court, her hard-won peace is shattered again.

EPISODE 04

Delia testifies against Sweeney in court, but the guilty verdict brings no peace for her. The trauma of the experience and Sweeney’s paltry sentence for offences against Delia leave her angrier than ever. She finds an outlet in writing angry letters to the police and the Home Office complaining about her treatment and feeling failed by the Criminal Justice System. David finds Delia’s obsessive anger very hard to deal with, and their relationship breaks down. Almost a decade later, police in Amsterdam make a remarkable discovery – they finally identify Melissa Halstead’s body.

Until I Kill You: The Real Story

This companion documentary, airing on ITV1 and ITVX, tells the story of Delia Balmer. A woman who bravely faced and survived the brutality of serial killer John Sweeney.

The film explores the haunting stories of Sweeney’s known victims, including Melissa Halstead, an American model, and Paula Fields, a mother of three. It reveals the grisly details of how he dismembered their bodies and disposed of their remains — Melissa’s in a Rotterdam canal and Paula’s in London’s Regent’s Canal.

Narrated by Anna Maxwell Martin, who plays Delia in the gripping four-part ITV drama series Until I Kill You. This documentary offers a raw glimpse into the real-life events that inspired the series, bringing a powerful and emotive view to the story.

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