The Sheridan Smith drama 'Four Lives' is now unlikely to air until 2022.

Sheridan Smith

Sheridan Smith

The long-awaited show is based on a true crime story, and is now set to air almost three years after it was filmed, because the inquest into the victims still hasn't been concluded.

The hearing has been delayed in recent months because of the coronavirus pandemic, according to The Sun newspaper's Bizarre TV column, which reports that the drama is now set to be screened next year.

The show stars Stephen Merchant as Stephen Port, who killed four men after luring each to his East London flat. He was jailed for life back in 2016, and the families of the victims hope that the show will explore how the police handled the investigation.

Meanwhile, Sheridan previously admitted to being “terrified” of giving birth amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The acclaimed actress welcomed her son Billy into the world in May last year, but she admitted to being anxious about having a baby during the UK's first lockdown.

She said: “When I had him it was a bit scary, because for the first eight weeks we were in the first lockdown and nothing at all was open. He was premature, and we were a bit terrified, the two of us, at being left alone with no help.

“But you have Zoom things and the midwives check in on you. And now he’s thriving."

Sheridan was thankful that she's been able to spend quality time at home with her son.

She explained: "When we had support bubbles, my mum was able to meet him eventually. She’s back up north now, and he’s growing all the time, but in some ways it’s been nice for me, Jamie [Horn] and Billy to bond as a little family. And in a way it takes your mind off of everything when you’ve got this little man to focus on."