Daniel Mays' Intense Preparation for 'Black Cab Rapist' Role in Believe Me
Daniel Mays underwent counseling to prepare for his role as the notorious 'Black Cab Rapist' John Worboys in the upcoming drama Believe Me. The series delves into the story of Worboys, who was convicted for sexually assaulting 12 women by drugging them in his taxi. Mays had to reenact Worboys' crimes on set, which led him to seek support from an on-set therapist to process the challenging scenes.
In Believe Me, Mays shares the screen with actresses Aimee-Ffion Edwards, Aasiya Shah, and Miriam Petch, who portray Worboys' victims. The cast worked with intimacy coach Sita Thomas to ensure a safe and respectful environment during the filming of the harrowing scenes. Mays praised the work of the intimacy coordinator, emphasizing the importance of trust and safety while portraying such sensitive material.
Despite the emotional toll of portraying a serial sex offender, Mays expressed his confidence in the script and project, as it was offered by Jeff Pope, with whom he had previously collaborated. Mays acknowledged the challenges of humanizing a character as evil as Worboys but found the acting challenge compelling. He highlighted the depth and meticulous storytelling of Pope's scripts, which pushed him as an actor to explore the complexities of the character.
Believe Me is set to premiere on ITV1 and ITVX later this year, offering viewers a gripping and thought-provoking portrayal of the events surrounding John Worboys' crimes. The series promises to shed light on the fight for justice and the impact of police failures in allowing the 'black cab rapist' to operate unchecked.