In a television landscape saturated with procedural crime dramas, a gripping new true crime series has emerged to captivate audiences with its raw, unflinching portrayal of a survivor’s story. Until I Kill You, a four-part drama from ITV, delves into the harrowing experiences of Delia Balmer, a nurse who endured a relationship with notorious serial killer John Sweeney. Adapted from Balmer’s 2017 memoir, “Living With a Serial Killer,” the series offers a fresh, female-centric perspective on a well-trodden genre.
A Powerhouse Cast Brings the Story to Life
Leading the cast is Anna Maxwell Martin as Delia Balmer, delivering a raw, uncompromising performance as a woman grappling with the aftermath of unimaginable trauma. Martin’s portrayal of Balmer is unapologetically abrasive and imperfect, shattering the mold of the “perfect victim” often seen in crime dramas. Starring opposite Martin is Shaun Evans, best known for his role as Endeavour Morse, who undergoes a chilling transformation to embody the manipulative and violent John Sweeney.
The chemistry between Maxwell Martin and Evans is electric, imbuing every scene with an undercurrent of menace. In one particularly unnerving moment, Balmer attempts to dance with Sweeney in a pub, only to be met with a cold, threatening whisper: “Fucking sit down.”
A Survivor’s Fury
At its core, Until I Kill You is a study of survivor’s rage. Balmer’s fury is palpable, directed not only at Sweeney but also at a criminal justice system she feels has repeatedly failed her. In a searing exchange with her police family liaison officer, Balmer spits, “He’s a psychopath. What’s your fucking excuse?”
“He’s a psychopath. What’s your fucking excuse?”
– Delia Balmer to her police liaison officer, Until I Kill You
The series also delves into the devastating impact of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), unflinchingly portraying the messy, non-linear process of trauma recovery. Balmer’s journey is not a tidy narrative of redemption, but a raw, honest depiction of a woman fighting to reclaim her life in the wake of unthinkable violence.
A Nuanced Portrayal of a Killer
While Sweeney’s crimes are undeniably monstrous, the series resists the urge to reduce him to a one-dimensional villain. Evans’ portrayal is chilling and complex, hinting at the charisma and manipulation that allowed Sweeney to evade justice for so long. The series does not shy away from the grim details of Sweeney’s crimes, including his confession to the murder of a previous girlfriend and the macabre sketches he made of her mutilated body.
However, the focus remains squarely on Balmer’s experience, refusing to sensationalize or glamorize Sweeney’s actions. This is not a story about a killer, but about a survivor – one who refuses to be defined by the violence inflicted upon her.
A Fresh Take on a Familiar Genre
Until I Kill You stands out in a crowded field of crime dramas by virtue of its unflinching honesty and its centering of a complex, flawed female protagonist. While it can be uneven at times, falling into some of the genre’s well-worn tropes, the series ultimately succeeds on the strength of its performances and its commitment to telling a survivor’s story on her own terms.
For viewers seeking a true crime drama that challenges the genre’s conventions and offers a nuanced exploration of trauma and survival, Until I Kill You is not to be missed. With Maxwell Martin and Evans at the helm, this harrowing, gripping series is a testament to the power of survivor storytelling and a welcome addition to the true crime canon.
