ITV’s new drama series Until I Kill You is set to leave audiences stunned with its chilling portrayal of real-life events. The show delves into the life of Delia Barmer, a woman who survived a brutal attack and the subsequent traumatic aftermath. Starring Anna Maxwell-Martin as Delia and Sean Evans as her partner John Sweeney, the series promises to be a harrowing yet powerful look at survival and resilience.
Anna Maxwell-Martin, who plays Delia, admitted she was shocked by the story when she first encountered it. “I actually live in Kentish Town, Tufnell Park, where this is set, where Delia lived, and I didn’t know anything about it,” she revealed. “It was before my time. Obviously, it’s shocking—still renewedly shocking—what happened to Delia and the aftermath of that attack.”
Delia Barmer, a strong and non-conformist character, stands as the heart of the drama. Anna described her as someone who doesn’t fit the typical mold of a victim: “Delia is a real person, a really amazing person, very exceptionally brave. She stands on her own skin, her own shoes, and she’s not afraid to express how she feels about anything.” It’s this complexity, she explained, that drew her to the role.
Sean Evans, who plays John Sweeney, shared a similar reaction to the story. “I didn’t know anything about it prior to reading the script. It’s such an upsetting story—sort of harrowing, isn’t it?” Evans said, reflecting on the emotional weight of portraying the relationship between Delia and John, who were brought together by their shared non-conformity.
Despite portraying a real person, Anna opted not to meet Delia Barmer before filming. Instead, she relied on extensive footage provided by the show’s executive producer and writer, Nick Stephens, who had developed a close relationship with Delia. “I’ve played quite a lot of real people, and I’ve never met them before playing them. I just study them,” Maxwell-Martin explained. “There was lots of footage of Delia, and I learned her that way.”
Until I Kill You will air on ITV1 and ITVX next month
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