Anna Maxwell Martin to star in ITV true crime drama Delia Balmer

‘Motherland’ actress Anna Maxwell Martin is to star in a new ITV true crime drama.

The 45-year-old star will play the titular role in ‘Delia Balmer’ – which is currently a working title – and the four-part drama will tell the true story of former nurse Delia, who survived a near-fatal relationship with murderer John Sweeney.

Anna said: “Telling an important story with the excellent team from World Productions, producer Ken Horn, director Julia Ford and a brilliant cast is always an exciting proposition!

“As it is brought to life by Nick Stevens, hopefully we will do Delia due diligence.”

He added: “I’ve previously worked with World Productions and ITV separately, so I’m looking forward to joining forces to tell this story.

“A story that is quite rightly told through the victim’s lens, Delia.

“We have an excellent script from Nick Stevens and I couldn’t be more delighted to work with Anna.”

The drama is written by ‘The Pembrokeshire Murders’ scribe Nick Stevens, and based on Delia’s book ‘Living with a Serial Killer’.

Delia was working as an agency nurse in London when she met Sweeney at a local pub, thinking it might be the connection she has been searching for.

After their relationship developed, he ended up carrying out a series of violent attacks on her and told her he killed his ex.

Despite being arrested, he was granted bail and sought out Delia before subjecting her to a near-fatal attack.

After evading capture, he disappeared only to return seven years later and was arrested for the murder of another girlfriend in London.

Delia then had to face Sweeney in open court, as her testimony was vital to the prosecution case against him.

Executive Producer Simon Heath added: “Delia’s story is a unique and powerful one of a woman who survived terrible violence at the hands of a man who should never have been free to commit his heinous crimes.

“Delia’s story shines a light on the failings of the legal system to deal with male violence against women and so sadly still resonates today.”

Actor and director Shaun Evans will play Sweeney in the ITV1 and ITVX drama.

Delia Balmer will premiere on ITV1 and ITVX.” BAFTA-winning actress announced for new ITV true crime drama