The show takes place in the world of a duty solicitor who uncovers a chilling web of institutional corruption. 

Channel 4 have announced a new legal drama headlined by David Harewood.

Pierre comes from writers Roy Williams (Soon Gone: A Windrush Chronicle) and John Donnelly (Utopia).

Here’s the synopsis for Pierre:

West London duty solicitor Pierre is a force of nature: charming and funny, a glamorous character in an unglamorous profession, juggling the pressures of his job, a fragile personal life and just keeping his head above water financially. His resilience is tested when he begins investigating the suspicious death of a young black client, Michael. As Pierre challenges the police’s portrayal of Michael as a criminal, he unravels a chilling web of institutional corruption… When you come at the system, the system comes at you… 

This contemporary legal drama will follow Pierre as he risks everything—his career, his family, and his sense of self — to expose the truth. Each episode will also feature individual legal stories with unexpected twists that push Pierre and his team to their limits. Against the backdrop of legal aid cuts, the practice struggles to survive, often bending the law to fight for their clients’ rights.

David Harewood, said:

“I’m extremely delighted to be taking the title role in Pierre. He’s such a wonderfully well-painted character, beautifully crafted by Roy and John and I cannot wait to get into his shoes. He is bright, flawed, and passionate about his work and I’m really hoping audiences find him as appealing as I do on the page.”

John Donnelly and Roy Williams, co-writers, said:

“Duty solicitors are the unsung heroes of the legal profession. Overworked, underpaid. They can be called out anytime, never knowing who or what lies in store for them. They are full of stories, it’s a thrill to tell them.” 

Pierre comes from The Lighthouse (Scoop), with executive producers are Hilary Salmon, John Donnelly, Roy Williams and David Harewood. Jo Johnson produces.

David Harewood

Now a familiar face on British television, it was roles on American television that helped him break into the mainstream. Harewood starred as CIA Counterterrorism Director David Estes in the first two seasons of Homeland, before going on to play Supergirl‘s Martian Manhunter J’onn J’onzz for six years. More recently, we’ve seen him in Sherwood, The Agency and The Acolyte.

David Harewood has also fronted a number of documentaries on topics including politics, Charles Dickens, Blackface and his own psychosis breakdown. He is also the current president of The Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA).

We’ll keep you posted on Pierre.