Until I Kill You is a true-crime series that stands out from the rest of the genre of serial killer thrillers, because one of the victims survived, and this is their story.
Anna Maxwell Martin heads up the cast of ITV’s latest drama that tells the story of Delia Balmer, who survived a brutal attack from her ex-boyfriend – and serial killer – John Sweeney.
Here’s all you need to know about the gripping drama, who is in it, where it was filmed, and how to watch.
What is Until I Kill You about?
Until I Kill You tells the story of Balmer, a hospital nurse who began a relationship with John Sweeney, unaware that he had previously committed murder.
As their relationship deteriorates, Sweeney’s behaviour becomes more erratic and violent towards Delia, culminating in an attack in which he admits to brutally murdering an ex-girlfriend in Amsterdam.
Let down by the police and the legal system, Delia’s life is put in danger when John is released on bail and makes a second attempt on her life.
Until I Kill You is based on Delia’s book about her harrowing experiences and the impact they’ve had on her life to this day.
Filming locations for Until I Kill You.
Despite being set in north London, the drama was predominantly filmed in Swansea, with just brief one-day shoots in both Camden and Amsterdam.
The decision to shoot in the Welsh city was due to the fact that gentrification has changed the London streets since the 1990s, when the story takes place. It also helped to reduce production costs and avoid crowds in the capital’s busy streets.
Initially, Cardiff was considered as the primary location, but ‘it just didn’t have that kind of architecture that north London has, especially Kentish Town,’ explains producer Ken Horn.
London locations
Camden
Scenes were shot on location at Camden Lock and the bridge by Camden Market, with actress Anna Maxwell Martin filmed walking down the towpath.
Because of Camden’s popularity with tourists, the shoot took place in the very early hours of the morning. Another challenge that producers had to tackle was the post-production task of painting out modern cars that would have looked out of place in the 1990s.
Primrose Hill
Primrose Hill features in the final episode of the series as Delia cycles home from work, with London’s skyline in the background.
‘We had to paint a lot of buildings out, because the Gherkin and places like that didn’t exist back then, so we just got rid of those,’ series producer Ken Horn told Time Out.
SWANSEA LOCATIONS
Disused car plant
The hospital that Balmer works in was filmed in a disused car plant in Swansea, with the outpatients area seen throughout the series having previously been the staff canteen.
Kon Tiki cocktail bar
Located off Wind Street in central Swansea, the Kon Tiki bar was used as a filming location for the pub where John and Delia first meet.
Wind Street was also used later in the series for scenes of punters celebrating at Christmas time.
Green Dragon Lane
When Delia and John attend the birthday party of her manager, John’s behaviour causes them to make an early departure. Green Dragon Lane was used to film the argument between the pair that saw John jumping on a nearby car.
The No Sign Wine Bar, Wind Street
A historic and independent pub located in the heart of Swansea, The No Sign Wine Bar, is seen in the series when Delia and Leah meet for a drink at Christmas.
‘It’s a beautiful old bar, we didn’t have to do much to that. A lot of these places are as they were back then in the ‘90s,’ producer Ken Horn tells Time Out.
Swansea Coroners Court
Swansea’s coroners court was used for the dramatic court scenes towards the end of the series, with production cladding the walls with wood panelling to make it look like London’s Old Bailey.
La Braseria, Wind Street
A fish restaurant located in central Swansea, La Braseria is seen towards the end of the series as the Greek restaurant when Delia and Dave argue before her arrest.
AMSTERDAM LOCATIONS
One subplot sees the father of one of Sweeney’s victims travel to Amsterdam looking for answers to her disappearance.
The exterior shots of the buildings in Amsterdam filmed over a one-day shoot in the Dutch city, while interior scenes inside the police station were filmed in the cellars of a Swansea building.
Who is in the cast?
Anna Maxwell Martin leads the cast, taking on the role of Delia Balmer. She is best known for her roles in Line of Duty, Motherland, and period drama Bleak House.
Shaun Evans plays serial killer John Sweeney. His previous screen credits include the titular role in detective series Endeavour, and starring opposite Suranne Jones in submarine thriller Vigil.
Kevin Doyle portrays David, a man the traumatised Balmer becomes romantically involved with years after the attack.
The actor is best known for his roles in Downton Abbey as Mr Molesley, and The Witcher as the elf Ba’lian.
Lucy Thackeray (Moon Knight) stars as WPC Jane Barker, while Amanda Wilkin (Am I Being Unreasonable?) appears as Leah, Delia’s close friend and colleague.
How to watch Until I Kill You
Until I Kill You will air over four consecutive nights at 9pm on ITV from Sunday, November 3 to Wednesday, November 6.
For viewers who can’t wait for the drama to unfold, all episodes will be available to stream on ITVX from Sunday night.
A companion documentary, Until I Kill You: The Real Story, airs at 9am on Thursday, November 7 on ITV and ITVX. It explores the true story of Delia Balmer and the other victims of serial killer John Sweeney, and is narrated by actress Anna Maxwell Martin, who portrays Delia in the series.
Until I Kill You is on ITV1 and ITVX at 9pm from November 3 until November 6 The companion documentary, Until I Kill You: The Real Story, is on November 7 at 9pm.