Ben Richards’s legal drama Showtrial makes a welcome return to BBC One this month, offering viewers more state-of-the-nation musings, fizzing, witty dialogue and meaty acting.
First time around, in 2021, a wealthy female student was in the dock; now it’s cocky PC Justin Mitchell, played with real verve by Michael Socha, who is accused of the hit-and-run death of a climate activist.
The series will leave the case and cast from series one behind, opening with a climate activist being left for dead following a hit and run, but managing to reveal his attacker as a serving policeman with his dying breath.
The following trial unpacks the motives and background of the mysterious and unnamed ‘Officer X’, and whether the death of the high-profile climate activist could be due to a thoughtless accident, or a targeted attack.
Poor, little rich girl or heartless killer? That’s the question posed by Showtrial, the latest drama from the company behind Line of Duty and Vigil, World Productions. But BBC One’s current Sunday-night series is far more than a whodunit.
Filmed and set around Bristol, BBC One's new drama Showtrial explores how prejudice, politics and the media distort the legal process, in a timely legal drama full of dark humour.
Speaking with host Yasmin Evans are the creator and writer, Ben Richards, director Zara Hayes and stars Celine Bucken (Talitha Campbell) and Tracy Ifeachor (Cleo Roberts).
Academy Award-winner Christopher Walken makes his UK television debut in this new comic thriller from Stephen Merchant.
Speaking with host Yasmin Evans are the creator and writer, Ben Richards, director Zara Hayes and stars Celine Bucken (Talitha Campbell) and Tracy Ifeachor (Cleo Roberts).
Series Synopsis
Written by Ben Richards (The Tunnel) and directed by Zara Hayes (Poms), Showtrial follows Talitha Campbell (Celine Buckens, Warrior), the estranged daughter of a wealthy property developer who is charged with conspiring to murder fellow university student Hannah Ellis.
Tracy Ifeachor (Quantico), James Frain (Star Trek: Discovery) and Sharon D Clarke (Rocks) have been cast, as well as Celine Buckens (Bridgerton), Kerr Logan (Game of Thrones), Lolita Chakrabarti (Vigil) and RTS Award-winner Sinéad Keenan (Little Boy Blue).
The six-part series focuses on a trial that grips the nation and is at the centre of a media storm, putting a harsh spotlight on the victim, the accused and both their families.
The trial explores the disappearance of Hannah Ellis, a hard-working student and daughter of a single mum.
Following her disappearance, Talitha Campbell, an arrogant daughter of a wealthy entrepreneur, is arrested and charged as the perpetrator.
