More than just a film: ‘Believe Me’ reveals Carrie Johnson’s crucial role in the John Worboys case that no one knew about
The four-part television series Believe Me is currently the center of attention on the ITVX platform, authentically depicting the harrowing story of victims abused by John Worboys – one of Britain’s most prolific sex offenders in history. The series not only exposes the criminal’s actions but also serves as a wake-up call regarding the failure of the justice system to protect the vulnerable.
One of the central characters in the story is Carrie Johnson (formerly Carrie Symonds), who was spiked by taxi driver Worboys in 2007 after a night out in Chelsea. As a member of the Conservative Party’s press team, Carrie utilized her expertise and influence to play a crucial role in the legal battle to keep the perpetrator behind bars.
Actress Miriam Petche, who plays Carrie in the series, shared with the press about the courage of the character she portrays: “She became so involved in an extremely crucial point in this parole decision and she used her background in communication to help bring attention to this case, support this legal challenge and bring wider awareness, which is so crucial in this decision-making and took so much bravery and effort.”
Additionally, Miriam expressed her admiration for Carrie’s decision to waive her anonymity following the trial: “She must have had an incredible amount of courage to risk her career and use the tools at her disposal to support these women and make sure they were able to convince a judge to overturn the parole decision.”
Carrie Johnson herself also shared moving reflections on Instagram about her real-life experience: “Nearly 20 years ago, I got into Worboys’ cab but I was one of the luckier ones.” She also expressed her hopes for the series’ impact: “The talented Miriam Petche plays me in this series and the small part I had to play in helping Sarah and Laila keep Worboys behind bars. We hope this might act as a wake up call to the police, the CPS and the Parole Board.”
Believe Me is not just entertainment, but a stark indictment of the inadequacies women face when reporting rape. Through it, the audience clearly sees the failure of the police force in stopping Worboys, who committed hundreds of assaults over many years before being brought to light. With its emotional and profound delivery, the series is currently topping the list of the most-watched shows on ITVX.
