Until I Kill You branded a ‘terrifying watch’ by viewers as ITV drama based on real life near-fatal relationship

UNTIL I Kill You Viewers have branded the ITV drama as a ‘terrifying watch’.

The series dramatises Delia Balmer’s real-life near fatal relationship with the infamous Scalp Hunter killer.

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Meanwhile, the story takes place after murderer John Sweeney had claimed his first victim.

Taking to social media, viewers seemed to be truly unnerved by the show.

One wrote on X: “#UntilIKillYou is a a terrifying watch. Coercive relationships are extremely difficult to identify when you’re in one and fooled.

“My heart goes out to anyone who is trapped in an abusive relationship. Please seek help #ClairesLaw.”

Another penned: “Brutal and horrific story but every episode tells the story well.”

A third commented: “ITV1 Until I kill you. What an anxious watch! Great acting. Scary knowing it is based on true events.

“Some people are just evil.”

While a fourth added: “I will not close my eyes all night now…OMG!”

Portraying Delia Balmer is Line of Duty and Motherland star, Anna Maxwell Martin.

Fans of recent BBC comedy crime drama Ludwig may also recognise Anna as Lucy Betts-Taylor.

In reality, Sweeney began a relationship with Delia, an agency nurse, in 1991 when he met her in Camden.

After dating for three years, she became suspicious upon finding rope and gloves under their bed.

When Sweeney learned Delia was suspicious of him, he held her hostage for four days.

She managed to free herself and escape, prompting him to go on the run.

Crime dramas on ITVX

Crime drama buffs have a wide selection of choices on ITVX – here is a selection of some of the programmes available to binge.

• Professor T: Based on a Belgian TV series of the same name, former Death in Paradise lead Ben Miller plays the title character. Professor Jasper Tempest is a criminologist with OCD who helps the police solve crimes. The cast also includes Emma Naomi, Barney White and Andy Gathergood.
• The Beast Must Die: This series follows a mother’s grief for her son, who was killed in an accident. Nicholas Blake’s novel of the same name has been adapted for the programme. Stars include Cush Jumbo, Jared Harris, Billy Howle and Geraldine James.
• Red Eye: Starring Richard Armitage, Jing Lusi and Lesley Sharp star in this six-part thriller, which mostly takes place  during an all-night flight between London and Beijing. With dead bodies piling up and a mystery to unravel, the heroes must work fast to get to the truth.
• The Twelve: This Australian drama originally aired as a miniseries in 2022, with the episodes dropping in the UK in February 2023. Four months later, the show was renewed for a second season. Jurassic Park star Sam Neill stars in the leading role of barrister Brett Colby.
• Manhunt: Martin Clunes stars in this drama based on true murder investigations. Series one focused on the death of Amélie Delagrange, which took place in 2004, while the second depicted the search for serial rapist Delroy Grant.

Sweeney’s victims included his former girlfriend Melissa Halstead and mother-of-three Paula Fields.

Unlike other true-crime dramatisations, Until I Kill You focuses on Delia’s experience with the killer instead of Sweeney’s perspective.

The cast also includes Shaun Evans, Kevin Doyle and Steve Edge.

Until I Kill You airs at 9pm on ITV1 until Wednesday, November 6.

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