The first trailer for BBC2's gripping new drama Responsible Child has been released.
Based on real-life events, the thought-provoking programme follows Ray, 12, who goes on trial for murdering his abusive stepfather alongside his brother Nathan, 23.
Ray, who is described as a "sensitive" child and has acted as a carer to his infant half-siblings, is tried as an adult for the crime despite only being on the cusp of adolescence.
The 90-minute show explores England's minimum age of criminal responsibility and more importantly whether a child can ever be as responsible for their actions as an adult.
In the first trailer, we meet Ray in school, who is asked by a teacher whether "everything is alright at home?" and although he says, "we're all fine", viewers get a sense that the tween is trying to keep it all together as he battles a difficult home life.
However, it's clear he's not when events unfold and leave Ray charged with murder.
We next see social worker Pete Cassidy (Owen McDonnell) asking the help of lawyer Kerry (Michelle Fairley) to defend Ray when he is tried as an adult.
Unsure what's happening around him, Kerry tells Ray, "If you were a 30-year-old man with the mind of someone your own age, you would be judged not fit for trial."
But the fact is he is. Ray is then seen taking the stand as the prosecution asks: "Raffael you're being tried for murder, do you understand?"
If you're gripped by true crime, we think this will pique your interest.
The factual drama is set across two separate time frames; the run-up to the murder and the trial itself, and marks BAFTA-winning documentary maker Nick Holt's drama-making debut.
The BBC programme stars Billy Barratt as Ray and James Tarpey as Ray's older brother Nathan.
The rest of the stellar cast includes Game of Thrones' Michelle, The History Boys' actor Stephen Campbell Moore and Top Boy actor Shaun Dingwall.
Written by Skins' Sean Buckley, the drama draws comparisons from the 2014 case of Jerome Ellis, 14, and his brother Joshua, 23, who murdered their stepfather in a knife attack as he lay on the family sofa.
Both siblings stated at the time of their trial that their stepfather was abusive and had previously threatened to kill Joshua, who struggled with depression.
Ultimately, Jerome, who was a young carer for his half-siblings much like character Ray, was sentenced to six years in detention for manslaughter.
Responsible Child will air on Monday, 16th December at 9pm on BBC2.
Featured Image Credit: BBCTopics: BBC, TV News, TV Entertainment