‘Showtrial’: BBC Announces Cast For New Drama From ‘Line Of Duty’ Producers
As filming begins on ‘Showtrial‘, a brand new BBC One series from writer Ben Richards (The Tunnel, Strike, Cobra), produced by World Productions (Line Of Duty, Bodyguard, The Pembrokeshire Murders), the BBC has announced the cast for the legal drama.
When Talitha Campbell, the estranged daughter of a wealthy property developer, is charged with conspiring to murder fellow university student Hannah Ellis, the trial that follows places victim and accused – and their families – in the eye of a media storm. Into that storm enters Cleo Roberts, the duty solicitor on the night of Talitha’s arrest. Refusing her father’s help, Talitha wants Cleo to lead her defence against a prosecution weaponising Talitha’s gender as well as her social privilege against her.
From arrest to verdict, Cleo and defence vie with the prosecution to convince us of the truth about Talitha: Damaged scapegoat? Or cold-blooded killer?
Today’s announcement sees Tracy Ifeachor (Quantico, Treadstone, The Originals); James Frain (Star Trek: Discovery, True Detective, Gotham) and Sharon D Clarke (Rocks, Doctor Who, Kiri) join the cast alongside Sinéad Keenan (Little Boy Blue, Care, Three Families); Celine Buckens (Warrior, Bridgerton); Kerr Logan (Strike, Alias Grace, Game of Thrones) and Lolita Chakrabarti (Vigil, Criminal: UK).
“I am delighted with the cast that has been assembled for Showtrial,” comments writer Ben Richards. “It is a brilliant ensemble of talented actors that feels modern, energetic, and perfectly suited for the complex characters and storylines.”
Filmed and set around Bristol, Showtrial explores how prejudice, politics and the media distort the legal process, in a timely legal drama full of dark humour.
“These scripts are thoroughly gripping and yet say something truly resonant about the justice system,” adds Zara Hayes (Poms, Dian Fossey: Secrets in the Mist) who directs the series. “I couldn’t be more honoured to bring them to life along with such a wonderful cast and the dream team in British TV drama.”
‘Showtrial’ is a five-episode, hourlong series produced by World Productions (in association with ITV Studios) for BBC One and BBC iPlayer. Christopher Hall (Bloodlands, The Durrells) is producer. Executive Producers are Simon Heath (Line of Duty, The Pembrokeshire Murders) for World Productions, Mona Qureshi (Sitting in Limbo; Call The Midwife) for the BBC and Ben Richards. It was commissioned by Piers Wenger, Director of BBC Drama, and Charlotte Moore, BBC Chief Content Officer. ITV Studios are distributing internationally.
No news yet on when ‘Showtrial‘ will premiere, but if you want to keep track of this show you can add it via our Never Miss system, and you’ll be notified when it gets a UK premiere date.
