ITV's true crime drama The Long Shadow confirms air date

The Long Shadow was originally meant to be titled The Yorkshire Ripper in reference to Sutcliffe's name in the press at the time, but in a recent Q&A for the show, writer George Kay explained why a change to the title was made.

He explained: "Well, we started by calling it The Yorkshire Ripper when we announced it. And we had a very respectful approach as a team throughout, but even at the beginning we hadn't learned, which we did over the time of making the show, that that moniker, that name that people use to describe Peter Sutcliffe, which obviously began before anyone knew his real name but then continued after people knew his real name, was disrespectful in many ways."

A trailer for the series was released earlier this month, offering a first look at detectives visiting crime scenes and listening to women give witness testimonies.

Watch the trailer below:

The new drama will "sensitively focus on the lives of the victims" who encountered Sutcliffe and also explore the stories of the officers at the heart of the police investigation, as per the synopsis.

It continues: "With the victims, their families and the survivors at the heart of this series, The Long Shadow brings a new perspective to a well-documented story."

"Meticulously researched and drawing upon the most extensive archive of the investigation, comprising of hundreds of case files, interview transcripts and police reports, the series is also based on Wicked Beyond Belief, Michael Bilton's critically acclaimed account of the case, published by William Collins."

Read more:

• Line of Duty and Detectorists stars cast in ITV drama The Long Shadow
• The Long Shadow creator explains why show changed "disrespectful" title
• The Long Shadow trailer gives first look at ITV's Yorkshire Ripper drama

Those in the cast include The Hunt for Raoul Moat's Mark Stobbart as Peter Sutcliffe, as well as Toby Jones, David Morrissey and Lee Ingleby, among others.

The Long Shadow will air on ITV1 and ITVX on Monday 25th September 2023. Check out more of our Drama coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on.

Try Radio Times magazine today and get 10 issues for only £10, PLUS a £10 John Lewis and Partners voucher delivered to your home – subscribe now. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.