A real-life crime series that has been hailed as 'essential viewing' is available to stream now on ITVX10:24, 26 Jul 2026A real crime drama that left people "sobbing" is available to stream on ITVX and viewers will be gripped.‌With a starry cast including Toby Jones, David Morrissey, Jill Halfpenny and Katherine Kelly, The Long Shadow chronicles the hunt for the Yorkshire Ripper. The late serial killer, whose real name was Peter Sutcliffe, murdered 13 women across Yorkshire and the north west in the late 1970s, and attempted to murder seven others, reports Yorkshire Live.‌He was caught and convicted in 1981, and the seven-part series looks at the five year hunt to track him down and bring him to justice.‌When it was first unveiled three years ago, the broadcaster said it "brings a new perspective to a well-documented story", with the victims, their families and the survivors "at the heart of this series".A synopsis said: "The impact on the lives of those who live on after the death of their loved one remains to this day. Those who cannot escape what happened, who must sit with their incomprehensible trauma for decades after, enduring their own life sentences."‌The channel's head of drama Polly Hill added that it was "a sensitive and brilliant drama that we are proud to have on ITV".It won over viewers, who have posted reviews online saying the series is "essential viewing" and a "must watch", with many saying it left them in tears."Gripping from beginning to end, the insight into the women who died and their families was heart-wrenching," one person wrote on IMDb.com, while a review in The Guardian said it was "shattering".‌"This has me sobbing and raging through the tears at the misogyny, sexism and racism which contributed to horrific death toll," one viewer posted on X, as another said: "Just finished The Long Shadow. Many tears watching the final episodes."Someone else posted a message on the platform, which was formerly Twitter, saying it was "so powerful it bought me to tears".Article continues below"Congratulations on such a sensitive retelling, of such a grim part of history, for all the women and families concerned," commented another viewer. "Stellar casting and the last ep had us in tears at the outcomes.""An incredible watch," said somebody else. "Well done to all involved. Very emotional and angry and made me cry a number of times."The Long Shadow is available on ITVX