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If You Loved ‘Line of Duty’ You’ll Love Gripping New BBC Drama ‘Showtrial’

Mary-Jane Wiltsher

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If You Loved ‘Line of Duty’ You’ll Love Gripping New BBC Drama ‘Showtrial’

Featured Image Credit: BBC One

Do you love watching Vicky McClure boss investigations as Line of Duty's D.C. Kate Fleming? Or Richard Madden fight for justice as war-veteran-turned-police-sergeant David Budd in Bodyguard?

Well, Showtrial, a brand-new six-part drama series commissioned by BBC One, could be your next favourite TV show.

Why? Firstly, the gripping concept has a killer team behind it. Masterminded by producers World Productions, who worked their magic on megawatt productions like Line of Duty, Bodyguard and Save Me, and written by Ben Richard (Strike, The Tunnel).

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Commissioned by Piers Wenger, Controller of BBC Drama, and Charlotte Moore, Director of BBC Content, the series plays out in the courtroom.

Vicky McClure as D.C. Kate Fleming in 'Line of Duty' (Credit: BBC One)
Vicky McClure as D.C. Kate Fleming in 'Line of Duty' (Credit: BBC One)

Once in a blue moon, a trial has the whole country in its grip. Think of the impact of the Harold Shipman trial, or the world watching on as Amanda Knox took to the stand in Italy.

In cases like these, those involved are swept up in a media whirlwind and thrown into the public consciousness. Showtrial focuses on that exact scenario.

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Talitha Campbell, the arrogant daughter of a wealthy entrepreneur, is arrested following the disappearance of fellow student, Hannah Ellis, the hard-working daughter of a single mother.

Charting the development of the trial from Talitha's initial arrest to the final verdict, Showtrial jumps between the defence and the prosecution, keeping viewers guessing.

Richard Madden in hit British thriller series 'Bodyguard' (Credit: BBC One)
Richard Madden in hit British thriller series 'Bodyguard' (Credit: BBC One)

What really happened to Hannah? And what is the truth about Talitha? Is this a case of false accusation or calculated murder?

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This isn't just a battle of quick-witted lawyers, though. Showtrial takes a wider look at how wealth, politics and prejudice impact on the quest for a fair verdict.

Creator and writer Ben Richards, said: "The right to a fair trial and the idea of reasonable doubt lie at the heart of a civilised society. Showtrial explores how they can be distorted by other factors, in a world where concepts such as fairness, doubt and reason are afforded such diminishing value."

Like 'Line of Duty', 'Showtrial' will look at how politics and prejudice impact on justice (Credit: BBC One)
Like 'Line of Duty', 'Showtrial' will look at how politics and prejudice impact on justice (Credit: BBC One)

World Productions CEO & Creative Director Simon Heath, said: "It's great to be working again with Ben Richards, who uses the DNA of our true crime obsession to create a gripping fictional murder trial that shines a light on the failings of our justice system."

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Piers Wenger, Controller of BBC Drama, adds: "Showtrial follows the investigation of a serious crime as it grows from routine investigation to national talking point, charting the progress of the case and the mounting pressure on those on the inside."

We don't yet have a date this show will air, so you'll have to stay tuned for casting and further details.

For now, Showtrial, we'll have to wait to see you in court.

Topics: BBC, TV News, TV Entertainment

Mary-Jane Wiltsher
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