ITV has shared the first images of its upcoming new series about the Yorkshire Ripper, and has revealed the all-star cast.
The gritty true crime drama, titled The Long Shadow, is set to air on ITV1 and ITVX next month.
Written by revered screenwriter, George Kay, and solely directed by BAFTA-winning director, Lewis Arnold, the new seven-part drama is described as being the “definitive depiction” of the desperate five-year hunt for serial killer Peter Sutcliffe – who was more commonly-known as the ‘Yorkshire Ripper‘ -and is set to “sensitively focus” on the lives of the victims who crossed his path, and the officers at the heart of the police investigation.
With the victims, their families, and the survivors “at the heart”, ITV says the series “brings a new perspective” to what is already a well-documented story.
ITV has shared the first images of its new Yorkshire Ripper drama series / Credit: ITV
Based on Michael Bilton’s critically-acclaimed account of the case, Wicked Beyond Belief, producers say the series has been “meticulously researched” and draws upon the “most extensive archive” of the investigation – with hundreds of case files, interview transcripts, and police reports all forming part of the storyline.
Celebrated stars of the TV screen feature as part of the cast unveiled this week – with Coronation Street‘s Katherine Kelly leading the pack, alongside other famous names such as Toby Jones, David Morrissey, Lee Ingleby, Jill Halfpenny, Jasmine Lee-Jones, Liz White, and Daniel Mays.
Some of the other recognisable names in the cast include Shaun Dooley, Ruth Madely, Daisy Waterstone, and Marcella Claxton.
Toby Jones, David Morrissey, Katherine Kelly, Lee Ingleby, Jill Halfpenny, Jasmine Lee-Jones, Liz White and Daniel Mays star in true crime drama, The Long Shadow produced by New Pictures and written by George Kay, coming to ITV1 and ITVX next month. Details >… pic.twitter.com/DlgRSfLFS2
A synopsis for the new series on the ITV website reads: “One murder has the power to cast a long shadow and this case plunged a whole society into darkness.
“For every victim, there were friends and loved ones. For every police officer, there was the burden of failure and the knowledge that as they failed to find their man, more women continued to suffer.
“The impact on the lives of those who live on after the death of their loved one remains to this day. Those who cannot escape what happened, who must sit with their incomprehensible trauma for decades after, enduring their own life sentences.”
The all-star cast has also been revealed / Credit: ITV
ITV says The Long Shadow will “speak to the societal issues of the past”.
But while it takes a look back, the series will also be aiming to highlight the “alarming parallels” between the terrible crimes and tragic events of the past to those in our more-recent history, and will also touch on how people today are “holding to account the institutional foundations that foster misogyny, racism, and violence against women”.
The Long Shadow is set to air on ITV1 and ITVX next month.
Featured Image – ITV
TV & Showbiz
Honorary Manc Ariana Grande announces huge world tour – but skips Manchester
Daisy Jackson
Ariana Grande has announced details of a huge world tour, but the honorary Mancunian will be skipping Manchester again.
The 32-year-old, Grammy Award-winning star has instead booked five nights at The O2 in London for her only UK stop on the tour.
Ariana Grande was made an honorary Mancunian back in 2017, in recognition of her work following the Manchester Arena terror attack.
She is the first person to have ever received this honour.
Since the atrocity in the city, which took the lives of 22 people, Ariana has only performed here twice more – once at the One Love concert she organised as a fundraiser for the victims and their families, and once as a headliner of Manchester Pride.
It’s been six years since her last tour, but Ariana Grande is now back, sharing details of her hotly-anticipated The Eternal Sunshine Tour next summer.
As well as her five-night residency in London, she’ll play four nights in LA and Brooklyn, as well as cities right across North America.
Ariana Grande has announced The Eternal Sunshine Tour
Her London dates will be her only European shows on The Eternal Sunshine Tour.
Eternal Sunshine was released in 2024 and was her seventh studio album, spawning singles ‘Yes, And?’, ‘We Can’t Be Friends’, and ‘The Boy Is Mine’.
Ariana Grande is now also an Academy Award and Golden Globe-nominated actress thanks to her starring role in Wicked as Glinda the Good Witch.
Tickets for her tour will go on sale from Tuesday 16 September with an artist presale as well as an O2 Priority Presale. Remaining tickets will be available during the general ons-ale beginning Thursday 18 September at 10am.
Ariana Grande – The Eternal Sunshine Tour Dates 2026
BBC needs outspoken Mancs to share their hottest TV takes in brand-new show
Emily Sergeant
Outspoken Mancs are being urged to apply to take part in a new BBC show where they share their hottest TV takes.
We all have opinions when it comes to television, right? Whether it be which show had the best and worst ending, which characters deserved better arcs, or which shows are the most underrated – you name it, someone will have an opinion on it.
Some people, however, like to broadcast or shout about their options a little louder than others do… and it’s these people the BBC is looking to speak to.
The broadcaster is currently in the process of casting for a new digital pilot called People Watching that will give people from across the UK a chance to share their hottest TV takes, straight from the comfort of their own sofa, and is looking for outspoken people from across Greater Manchester to talk the talk and take part.
The BBC needs outspoken Mancs to share their hottest TV takes in a brand-new show / Credit: CoWomen (via Pexels)
A casting call for the new show on the BBC website reads: “Subtitles on or off? What would your winning strategy be on The Traitors? And what is the most overrated show ever made?
“If you have a big personality, an interesting living room, or are part of a household group who love a binge watch – we want to hear from you.”
People Watching is being produced for the BBC by BBC Socials, which likely means it’ll be a show primarily made for online audiences.
To apply to feature on the show, you’ll need to be 18 years old or over, and you must be willing to allow the BBC to film in your home.
Applicants will need to send casting directors a short ‘expression of interest’ in the form of a paragraph or video link, telling them a bit about yourself, your favourite BBC show, and most importantly, your most controversial TV opinion.
The closing date for applications is 1 October 2025, and you can apply by sending an email to [email protected]
Emily Sergeant -
9th August 2023 
