May 30, 2024 – The BBC have released a first look at the return of hit anthology legal mystery Showtrial.

Made by World Productions (Vigil, Line of Duty, Save Me) for the BBC and written by Ben Richards, the fictional five-part drama will this time focus on the high profile case of ‘Officer X’ – a policeman accused of murdering a climate change activist.

The new pictures give a first glimpse at multi BAFTA award-winner Adeel Akhtar (Fool Me Once, Sherwood, Ali & Ava) alongside Nathalie Armin (Home, Unforgotten, The Batman), Michael Socha (The Gallows Pole, Chernobyl, This Is England), Joe Dempsie (Pieces of Her, Game of Thrones), Fisayo Akinade (Heartstopper, Dangerous Liaisons), Tom Padley (The Lost Pirate Kingdom, Silent Witness), Kerrie Hayes (Blue Jean, Tin Star) and Barney Fishwick (Living, The Buccaneers). BAFTA-winner Francesca Annis (Flesh and Blood, Home Fires) is seen for the first time as Dame Harriet Kenny.

When high-profile climate activist Marcus Calderwood (Barney Fishwick) is left for dead in a violent hit and run, he uses his dying moments to apparently identify his killer – a serving policeman. But who is this unnamed Officer X? What does his own history reveal about the nature of trauma and revenge, and was Marcus’ death a tragic accident or pre-meditated murder?

From the victim’s last breath to the jury’s final verdict, Showtrial introduces us to the charismatic and cocky police officer Justin Mitchell (Michael Socha); Sam Malik (Adeel Akhtar) an anxious defense solicitor with a reputation for winning lost causes; and Leila Hassoun-Kenny (Nathalie Armin) a driven CPS lawyer leading the case against the accused.

As public outrage reaches fever-pitch, the series asks what happens when a trial is dominated by cultural divisions and if the truth is ever clear cut. Is a fair trial even possible when tensions are riding so high?

The new series also stars Nina Toussaint-White (Bodyguard), Zoe Telford (Men Only), Ali Khan (A Haunting in Venice), Daniel Kendrick (Inside Man), Frankie Wilson (Against the Ice), Anna Próchniak (The Tattooist of Auschwitz), Anna Wilson Jones (Victoria), John Light (Around the World in 80 Days), Aidan McArdle (Spy/Master), Daisy Badger (The Sandman), Flora Montgomery (The Crown), Pearce Quigley (Detectorists), John Marquez (Doc Martin) and Anna Healy (Mother’s Day).

Showtrial (5×60) is created and written by Ben Richards, directed by Julia Ford (Everything I Know About Love, Safe) and produced by Ken Horn (Line of Duty, The Moorside). Executive producers are Simon Heath and Emma Luffingham for World Productions (an ITV Studios company), with Nawfal Faizullah and Katherine Bond for the BBC, and Ben Richards. Showtrial is produced with support from Northern Ireland Screen, in association with ITV Studios which will also handle international distribution.

Watch the trailer for the previous season below:

An anthology series returning with a brand new case, Showtrial’s first series – which aired on the BBC in 2021 – is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.

Showtrial is due to return to BBC iPlayer and BBC One later this year.

Praise for the first Showtrial:

“Witty, dark, sarcastic…beautifully written meaty drama” – The Times

“A fresh, considered spin on the usual crime procedural tropes…a compelling slow burner.” – Evening Standard

“Another triumph for the makers of Line Of Duty.” – Metro

“Showtrial takes a familiar theme and twists it in unexpected ways.” – Daily Mail

“Showtrial is the work of World Productions, makers of Line of Duty and Vigil. It shared with those series an attention-seizing premise, barrelling pace and a strong ensemble cast.” – The Telegraph

“Discussing weighty topics such as privilege and gender, the series feels like a welcome break from more traditional crime dramas.” – Refinery29