Yahoo News BBC releases first photos of Line of Duty creators' new drama Showtrial
Line of Duty and Bodyguard fans will be excited to hear that a new show from its creators is hitting TV screens very soon.
The BBC has released first-look images of the upcoming drama Showtrial, a five-part legal drama starring Tracy Ifeachor, known for her roles as Abigail Naismith in Doctor Who and Aya Al-Rashid in The CW's The Originals.
Ifeachor will be playing Cleo Roberts, a duty solicitor involved in a high-profile case concerning Talitha Campbell (Celine Buckens), an upper-class student charged with conspiracy to commit murder.
Talitha claims she is innocent of the charge, and chooses Cleo to defend her, refusing the help of her wealthy father. The alleged victim, Hannah Ellis, is a fellow university student and the trial and its ensuing twists and turns will put everyone involved in the spotlight.
The synopsis states that the series will explore "how prejudice, politics, and the media distort the legal process in a timely legal drama full of dark humour". In particular, the show will touch on how the prosecution aims to use her "gender as well as her social privilege against her".
Fellow Doctor Who star Sharon D Clarke, who played Grace O'Brien in Jodie Whittaker’s first episode, will also be starring in this complex drama but her role has not yet been announced.
Other cast members include James Frain (Gotham), Sinéad Keenan (Little Boy Blue), Kerr Logan (Game of Thrones), and Lolita Chakrabarti (Criminal: UK).
Series creator, writer, and executive producer Ben Richards said in a statement: "I am delighted with the cast that has been assembled for Showtrial. It is a brilliant ensemble of talented actors that feels modern, energetic, and perfectly suited for the complex characters and storylines."
Director Zara Hayes echoed Richards' words, saying: "These scripts are thoroughly gripping and yet say something truly resonant about the justice system. I couldn’t be more honoured to bring them to life."
The BBC has not yet given Showtrial a release date but as it is currently in post-production, it is expected to hit BBC One and BBC iPlayer later this year.
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