The Long Shadow is an upcoming true crime drama series on ITVX, focusing on the intense five-year police manhunt for serial killer and rapist Peter Sutcliffe, also known as the Yorkshire Ripper. Between 1975 and 1980, Sutcliffe committed the horrifying crimes of murdering 13 women and attempting to kill seven others. His gruesome acts unfolded in various towns across Yorkshire, earning him the chilling nickname. Here we’ve everything you need to know about how to watch The Long Shadow in the US on ITVX for free.
Quick steps: How to watch The Long Shadow in the US on ITVX for free using a VPN
- Select a VPN service that is optimized for streaming. We recommend ExpressVPN or PIA VPN
- Download the VPN and connect to the UK server.
- Log in to ITVX.
- Find The Long Shadow and stream it no matter where you are!
Why is ITVX not available in the US?
ITVX is not available in the US due to licensing and distribution agreements that restrict its content to the UK. These agreements are typically in place to comply with copyright and broadcasting regulations. To access ITVX in the US, viewers can use a VPN to connect to a UK server, effectively bypassing these geo-restrictions.
The Long Shadow release date
The Long Shadow is a seven-part series set to debut at 9 p.m. on Monday, September 25, 2023, on ITVX. Following the premiere, you can expect subsequent episodes to air every Monday evening.
From the darkest of times comes a beautifully humane and captivating true crime drama. #TheLongShadow begins this Monday 25th 9pm @itv & @ITVX pic.twitter.com/m0U1OGhPvf
— Daniel Mays 🇺🇦💙 (@DanielMays9) September 22, 2023
What time will The Long Shadow be on ITVX?
The Long Shadow will air on BBC iPlayer at 9 pm.
When is The Long Shadow end date?
The Long Shadow will conclude with its final episode scheduled for broadcast on Monday, November 6th.
Where can I watch The Long Shadow in the US for free?
Viewers in the US cannot access ITVX’s streaming service due to geo-restrictions, which display an error message if you’re outside of Great Britain and detect your physical location. However, you can bypass this restriction by using a VPN to connect to a UK server, allowing access to The Long Shadow on ITVX from the US.
What TV channel is The Long Shadow on?
The Long Shadow cannot be viewed on TV, it is exclusively available for streaming on ITVX. If you’re in the US and wish to stream The Long Shadow on ITVX, you can do so by using a VPN.
The Long Shadow plot – what happens?
The Long Shadow is a gripping new thriller series that delves into the investigations led by DCS Dennis Hoban and DCS Jim Hobson, among others, as they initially probed individual murders of sex workers. However, it wasn’t until October 1975, with the killing of Wilma McCann, followed by Emily Jackson, that the detectives began to suspect a serial killer was at large.
Over the course of five years, the relentless pursuit of the man who would come to be known as The Yorkshire Ripper expanded. Ultimately, the police managed to apprehend Peter Sutcliffe, who was convicted of 13 murders and seven attempted murders spanning from 1975 to 1980.
The Long Shadow – What is the series based on?
The Long Shadow is based partly on Michael Bilton’s book, Wicked Beyond Belief, which details the Yorkshire Ripper case. The series sensitively explores the stories of Sutcliffe’s victims, their families, and survivors. It also draws unsettling parallels with more recent tragic events.
Peter Sutcliffe terrorized Yorkshire from 1975 to 1980, killing 13 women and leaving seven others lucky to survive. The series starts with the murder of Wilma McCann in October 1975 and follows Sydney and Emily Jackson’s story. Emily’s decision to engage in sex work to support their family eventually connects her murder to McCann’s, igniting a terrifying killing spree.
As the series unfolds, it depicts the massive police manhunt, hindered by some detectives’ misogynistic attitudes. However, DCS Dennis Hoban grasps the gravity of the situation and takes up the case early on.
Despite several missed opportunities, Sutcliffe eludes capture for years, finally confessing in 1981 when police discovered stolen number plates on his car.
Who’s in the The Long Shadow cast?
The Long Shadow features an ensemble of actors, including Toby Jones (known for Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny), Katherine Kelly (Black Ops), and Daniel Mays (Code 404), who take on major roles in the series.
Toby Jones on playing DCS Dennis Hoban
In The Long Shadow, Toby Jones takes on the role of DCS Dennis Hoban, an investigator initially in charge of the case. Dorothy Atkinson plays his wife. Toby shares his enthusiasm for the character, describing Hoban’s journey from confidence to disappointment as he deals with a complex murder investigation. Notably recognized for his roles in Detectorists and Sherlock, Toby Jones has also appeared in films such as Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, Captain America, Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, and the upcoming Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny.
David Morrissey as DCS George Oldfield
David Morrissey portrays DCS George Oldfield, known for his pivotal role in the case, which took a toll on his well-being. He is recognized for his appearances in The Walking Dead, The Missing, Britannia, The Singapore Grip, and Sherwood.
Katherine Kelly on playing Emily Jackson
Katherine Kelly plays Emily Jackson, one of Peter Sutcliffe’s earliest murder victims, in The Long Shadow. The series explores the victims’ stories and their families, emphasizing that the fear of the serial killer had not yet loomed at the time of Emily’s murder. The Jackson family had already faced personal tragedy with the loss of their oldest son. Kelly hopes the show portrays this sensitive topic with authenticity and integrity. She is known for her roles in Coronation Street, Mr. Selfridge, Innocent, Criminal: UK, and Liar 2.
Daniel Mays on playing Sydney Jackson
Daniel Mays portrays Sydney Jackson, Emily Jackson’s husband in The Long Shadow. Sydney knew Emily was involved in sex work to support their family and would accompany her but drown his sorrows in the bar. Daniel finds Sydney’s character complex and sympathetic despite his flaws. Daniel Mays is recognized for his roles in Ashes to Ashes, Line of Duty, Des, White Lines, and films like Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, 1917, and Fisherman’s Friends. He also starred in the 2022 festive film Your Christmas Or Mine? with a sequel in 2023.
Jill Halfpenny on playing Doreen Hill
Jill Halfpenny plays Doreen Hill, a forward-thinking mother proud of her daughter Jacqueline (portrayed by Daisy Waterstone) who was Peter Sutcliffe’s final victim in 1980. Doreen is quietly confident and believes in everyone’s potential. She sent Jacqueline to a university in Leeds, thinking it was safer than their hometown, but tragically, Jacqueline met with a murder there.
Lee Ingleby as DCS Jim Hobson
In The Long Shadow, Lee Ingleby plays DCS Jim Hobson, one of the investigating police officers. He’s known for roles in The Hunt For Raoul Moat, Screw, and The A Word.
Who else is starring in The Long Shadow?
In The Long Shadow, Charley Webb (Debbie Dingle from Emmerdale) plays WPC Anna Lawson, who questions sex workers for clues. Cara Theobold is WPC Jill Adams, who goes undercover. Liz White is PS Meg Winterburn, Adam Long is younger detective Chris Gregg, and Shaun Dooley is older DCS Chris Gregg.
Other notable cast members include Gemma Laurie as Wilma McCann, Jasmine Lee-Jones as Marcella Claxton, Molly Wright as Donna Deangelo, and Shaun Thomas as Neil Jackson. Peter Sutcliffe is portrayed by Mark Stobbart.
Additional roles are played by Steven Waddington, Alexa Davies, Chloe Harris, Jack Deam, Michael McElhatton, Kris Hitchen, Stephen Tompkinson, Robert James-Collier, and Ruth Madeley.
What else do we know about The Long Shadow?
George Kay, known for Hijack, writes The Long Shadow, while Willow Grylls, the CEO of New Pictures known for projects like Des and White House Farm, serves as the executive producer. Lewis Arnold, acclaimed for his work on Time, Sherwood, and Des, directs the series.
The production team includes Matt Sandford as the producer and Sarah Lewis as the series producer, with Alison Matthews as co-producer. George Kay, Lewis Arnold, and Elaine Pyke also serve as executive producers. Polly Hill, ITV’s Head of Drama, oversaw the production for ITV.
The series was commissioned by Polly Hill and produced in partnership with Sundance Now, which has exclusive rights in the US and Canada, along with All3Media International. Polly Hill expressed pride in the project, praising George’s scripts, Lewis’ direction, and the talented cast.
The Long Shadow official trailer
ITVX has released a trailer for The Long Shadow, featuring Katherine Kelly, a victim of Peter Sutcliffe, and Daniel Mays as her husband. The trailer also showcases David Morrissey, Lee Ingleby, and Toby Jones as the detectives central to the investigation. It effectively captures the unsettling events of the 1970s. You can watch it below.
How many episodes does The Long Shadow have?
The Long Shadow consists of seven hour-long episodes airing weekly on ITVX, with the final episode scheduled for broadcast on Monday, November 6th. Here’s an episode guide below:
Season 1 Episode 1 (September 25, 2023)
In October 1975, a tragic event occurred when Wilma McCann, a mother of four from Leeds, was murdered, marking the start of a series of events. The Jackson family, grappling with financial hardships, faced the difficult decision of having Emily Jackson, who would later become Sutcliffe’s second victim, engage in part-time sex work. DCS Dennis Hoban and DCS Jim Hobson led the investigation into the murders of Wilma and Emily.
Season 1 Episode 2 (October 2, 2023)
Neil accompanies his father to the mortuary, where they must identify the body of Neil’s mother, Emily. As time passes, a young woman named Marcella Claxton falls victim to a brutal attack. And offers a detailed description of her assailant. However, authorities unfortunately dismiss her testimony. Meanwhile, at Millgarth Police Station, they question several men regarding Emily’s murder. The detectives only begin to suspect the presence of a serial killer when they discover the third body. That of Irene Richardson.
Season 1 Episode 3 (October 9, 2023)
Almost two years have passed since Peter Sutcliffe claimed his first victim. However, as the police have made no progress in capturing him since 197. Chief Constable Gregory decides it’s time for a different approach. After the murders of sex worker Patricia ‘Tina’ Atkinson in Bradford and 16-year-old Jayne MacDonald in Leeds. They assign the responsibility for the case to DCS George Oldfield (played by David Morrissey). Oldfield promises Jayne’s father that he will soon apprehend his daughter’s killer.
- Season 1 Episode 4 (October 16, 2023)
- Season 1 Episode 5 (October 23, 2023)
- Season 1 Episode 6 (October 30, 2023)
- Season 1 Episode 7 (November 6, 2023)
Where was The Long Shadow filmed?
The filming occurred in Yorkshire, encompassing various locales such as Wortley, Leeds, Dewsbury, York, and a property situated in Burley-in-Wharfedale, near Ilkley.
Why was The Long Shadow renamed?
Initially, the series bore the name The Yorkshire Ripper, but the dissatisfaction of the victims’ families with this working title stemmed from their belief that it needlessly drew excessive attention and cast a grim shadow over the figure. The show’s writer also commented that the original title associates a somber image with a man who shouldn’t receive such focus, particularly not with that specific word.
What is The Long Shadow’s IMDb rating?
The Long Shadow boasts an IMDb score of 7.7 out of 10, determined by the approval of 8 users.
How are the fans reacting to The Long Shadow on social media?
Brilliant Vicky. Nothing short of what you deserve. Well done 👊🏻
— Daniel Jillings (@djillings) September 24, 2023
How are the critics reviewing The Long Shadow?
Mark Lawson of The Guardian praises The Long Shadow for its innovative approach to the Yorkshire Ripper case. The series stands out by avoiding the sensationalized nickname and instead focusing on the victims and their compelling narratives. Lawson recognizes that the producers have displayed sensitivity in their choice not to use the infamous moniker. He applauds the deep exploration of the women’s lives, moving beyond typical mugshot portrayals. Lawson especially commends the outstanding performances of Katherine Kelly and Daniel Mays. Who brings to life the heart-wrenching story of Emily Jackson and her husband. The Long Shadow offers a fresh and empathetic perspective on a dark chapter in history. That makes it a standout addition to the genre.
What else can I watch on ITVX?
FAQs
Is The Long Shadow available on Netflix?
Unfortunately, The Long Shadow is unavailable on Netflix.
Conclusion
The Long Shadow offers a compelling look at the five-year hunt for serial killer Peter Sutcliffe, who terrorized the nation. With its intense storytelling and focus on the victims, it sheds light on this dark chapter in history. If you’re in the US and want to watch on ITVX, use a VPN to connect to a UK server. Don’t miss this gripping series on TV screens this week.
