Showtrial (TV series)

Showtrial is a British television legal drama created by Ben Richards and starring Tracy Ifeachor and Céline Buckens.[1] The five-part first series aired on BBC One from October to November 2021 and starred Tracy Ifeachor and Céline Buckens. Two years later, it was announced that Showtrial had been developed into an anthology format and that a second series had been ordered, starring a new cast.

Showtrial
A promotional poster for the first series
Written byBen Richards
Directed byZara Hayes
Starring
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Original languageEnglish
No. of series1
No. of episodes5
Production
Executive producers
Producer
Production company
Release
Original networkBBC One
Original release31 October 2021 (2021-10-31) –
present

The first series received a mixed reception from critics. The writing, pace and lack of subtlety received criticism from reviewers. However, the format, dramatic scenes and Buckens' acting was praised. Buckens was also nominated for various accolades for her portrayal of Talitha Campbell, including the British Academy Television Award for Best Supporting Actress and the International Emmy Award for Best Actress.

Synopsis

Series 1

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. From Talitha's arrest to the jury's final verdict, Showtrial switches between both sides of the legal battle, as defence and prosecution fight for their version of what really happened to Hannah, and the truth about Talitha: was she falsely accused or is she a callous murderer?[1][2]

Series 2

High-profile climate activist Marcus Calderwood is left to die in a violent hit and run and uses his dying moments to identify his killer: a serving policeman. It explores the worlds of cocky officer Justin Mitchell, anxious defence solicitor Sam Gill and Leila Hassoun-Kenny, a rigorous lawyer leading the case against the accused.[3]

Cast

Series 1

Series 2

Production

BBC One commissioned Showtrial in 2019 as a five-part miniseries.[8][9] Principal photography began in April 2021 in Bristol,[10] including at the University of Bristol.[11] Two years after the series had aired, it was announced that the BBC had decided to develop Showtrial into an anthology series. They ordered a second series that commences filming in November 2023 in Belfast. Series creator and writer Ben Richards said: "I am very grateful to the BBC for the opportunity to explore another sensational trial which I hope will be just as entertaining as our first outing. I love writing Showtrial and I'm honoured to have a cast of such high quality to deliver it."[12]

Episodes

Series 1
No.TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateUK viewers
(millions)
1"Praying for Her"Zara HayesBen Richards31 October 2021 (2021-10-31)6.69
2"Little Horses"Zara HayesBen Richards7 November 2021 (2021-11-07)5.24
3"Lady Tease"Zara HayesBen Richards14 November 2021 (2021-11-14)6.04
4"Velleities"Zara HayesBen Richards21 November 2021 (2021-11-21)5.69
5"The Long Voyage"Zara HayesBen Richards28 November 2021 (2021-11-28)5.84

Reception

For her role as Talitha, Céline Buckens was nominated for Best Actress at the TV Choice Awards,[13] as well as being nominated for the British Academy Television Award for Best Supporting Actress[14] and the International Emmy Award for Best Actress.[15]

The Guardian felt that Showtrial's first series had a lot going on that made it hard for the reviewer to keep up with the premise of the show. However, they were drawn in by the mystery of the case and wanted to watch to the end.[16] The Independent praised its cinematography and filming style, describing it as "more energetic and stylish than we are used to from" the BBC.[17] They also commended Tracy Ifeachor's portrayal of a solicitor. However, they felt that the dialogue was not gripping.[17] Radio Times gave the series two stars out of a possible five as they felt that Showtrial was not subtle enough. They found that the social commentary scenes "leap out of the screen and whack you over the head" and that some of the acting was more suited to a stage production, noting Sinéad Keenan as the "worst offender" who has a "near-comical venom and channels a Lex Luthor-esque evil genius".[18] Although they also criticised Richard's writing, Radio Times enjoyed the scenes between Buckens and Ifeachor, describing them as "campy fun".[18]

The Times described it as "great".[19] The Evening Standard described Showtrial as a "fresh, considered spin on the usual crime procedural tropes" and commended Buckens' acting abilities for making Talitha "compellingly awful".[20] They noted that the format of the show slowed down the pace of the storytelling, but felt that the slow burn aspect made it a rewarding watch.[20] The Week also commended Buckens' acting and wrote that she "steals the show" with her "mesmerising performance" as Talitha.[19] They also enjoyed the "composed, intriguing, layered" drama throughout the first series.[19]

References
  1. "Showtrial". World Productions. Retrieved 5 September 2021.
  2. "Cast announced for original new BBC One drama Showtrial, from the producers of Line of Duty" (Press release). BBC Media Centre. 23 April 2021. Retrieved 16 August 2021.
  3. Ramachandran, Naman. "'Line of Duty' Company World Productions Sets Season 2 of Hit BBC Series 'Showtrial'". Variety. Retrieved 26 August 2023.
  4. Ravindran, Manori (23 April 2021). "'Quantico' Star Tracy Ifeachor and 'Star Trek's' James Frain Set For BBC's 'Showtrial'". Variety. Retrieved 1 November 2021.
  5. Craig, David (31 October 2021). "Is Talitha guilty in Showtrial? 5 questions we have after episode 1". Radio Times. Retrieved 1 November 2021.
  6. "BBC Blogs - BBC Writersroom - Showtrial". 27 October 2021. Retrieved 2 October 2022.
  7. Dowdeswell, Jane (22 November 2021). "With an ancestral link to the royal family, Rebecca Grant, the actress, tells of her special meeting with the Prince of Wales and a love story from the Glamis Castle". Hello!.
  8. "BBC One commissions gripping new drama Showtrial from the producers of Line Of Duty and Bodyguard" (Press release). BBC Media Centre. 27 October 2021. Retrieved 1 November 2021.
  9. McEvoy, Sophie (2 August 2021). "The Bodyguard & Line Of Duty Producers Have Created A New Court Drama For BBC One". Bustle. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  10. Gogarty, Conor (8 August 2021). "Revealed: The 2021 TV shows filmed in Bristol and the roads they closed". Bristol Post. Retrieved 16 August 2021.
  11. Cruse, Beth (14 April 2021). "Fairground outside Bristol University building set up for BBC drama". Bristol Post. Retrieved 16 August 2021.
  12. Hibbs, James (16 August 2023). "BBC reveals cast and plot for Showtrial season 2 starring Adeel Akhtar". Radio Times. Retrieved 26 August 2023.
  13. "TV Choice Awards longlist 2022". TV Choice. Retrieved 7 June 2022.
  14. "Bafta TV awards 2022: full list of nominations". The Guardian. 30 March 2022. Archived from the original on 30 March 2022. Retrieved 7 June 2022.
  15. Goldbart, Max (29 September 2022). "International Emmys: 'Narcos: Mexico' Leads The Pack Alongside 'Sex Education', 'Lupin'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 13 May 2023.
  16. Nicholson, Rebecca (31 October 2021). "Showtrial review – will this schlocky murder drama really grip the nation?". The Guardian. Retrieved 26 August 2023.
  17. Cumming, Ed (31 October 2021). "Showtrial review: Courtroom drama deals with grand themes – but the dialogue doesn't live up to them". The Independent. Retrieved 26 August 2023.
  18. Craig, David (31 October 2021). "Showtrial review: BBC drama strikes an odd tone and lacks tension". Radio Times. Retrieved 26 August 2023.
  19. "Showtrial review: a whodunnit with a mesmerising prime suspect". The Week. 11 November 2021. Retrieved 26 August 2023.
  20. Rosseinsky, Katie (31 October 2021). "Showtrial TV series review: A fresh, considered spin on the usual crime procedural tropes". Evening Standard. Retrieved 26 August 2023.
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