A new crime drama starring Shaun Evans could be shown in the first half of the year on ITV. 

Series nine of the popular Inspector Morse prequel Endeavour was the last and the final episode was shown in March, watched by millions of viewers.

In February, the actor started filming for a new true-life crime drama and will lead the cast of Until I Kill You alongside Line of Duty and Motherland star Anna Maxwell Martin.

READ MORE: Saying goodbye to ITV's Endeavour

The series, which was in production under the working title Delia Balmer, will explore the story of Delia who survived a near-fatal relationship with murderer John Sweeney.

The four-part series will air on ITV1 and ITX and sees Anna portray the title character and Shaun Evans play John Sweeney, who is currently serving a life sentence for murdering his former girlfriends.

Oxford Mail: Anna Maxwell MartinFilming locations have included Swansea, outside its historic Guildhall.

There is no transmission date yet for the new crime drama.

Janice Troup, head of ITV programme publicity for drama and soaps, said: "We don’t have a transmission date as yet for Until I Kill You."

She added that more details would be revealed "in a couple of months' time".

The ITV website says: "ITV Studios’ stunning new slate of drama titles includes: the eagerly-awaited Until I Kill You (formerly entitled Delia) (4 x 60, produced by World Productions for ITV); a mini-series starring Anna Maxwell Martin (Motherland, Line of Duty, A Spy Among Friends), Shaun Evans (Vigil, Endeavour) and Kevin Doyle (Downton Abbey, Happy Valley), from the producers of The Pembrokeshire Murders, telling the story of how Delia Balmer survived  a near-fatal relationship with murderer John Sweeney."

Oxford Mail: Shaun Evans in EndeavourMr Evans said earlier: "I've previously worked with World Productions and ITV separately, so I'm looking forward to joining forces to tell this story. A story that is quite rightly told through the victim's lens, Delia.

"We have an excellent script from Nick Stevens and I couldn't be more delighted to work with Anna."

Anna Maxwell Martin said earlier: "Telling an important story with the excellent team from World Productions, producer Ken Horn, director Julia Ford and a brilliant cast is always an exciting proposition! As it is brought to life by Nick Stevens, hopefully we will do Delia due diligence.”

Based on Delia Balmer’s book, Living with a Serial Killer, Until I Kill You is written by Nick Stevens (The Pembrokeshire Murders), and executive produced by multi-award winning World Productions CEO, Simon Heath (Save Me, Line of Duty, Anne).

Delia Balmer narrates the ordeal Delia suffered at the hands of John Sweeney, and her traumatic journey through the police and criminal justice system as they attempt to prosecute him for his crimes. 

READ MORE: How I can watch Endeavour

In 1991 Delia was leading a solitary life in London working as an agency nurse. When she meets fellow free-spirit John Sweeney in a local pub, it seems like the connection she has been searching for. 

But as the relationship develops, Sweeney’s artistic, anti-establishment persona gives way to a darker side,

The series has been commissioned for ITV by Polly Hill and Drama Commissioner, Huw Kennair Jones.

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About the author 

Andy is the Trade and Tourism reporter for the Oxford Mail and you can sign up to his newsletters for free here. 

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