BBC One has ordered six episodes of Showtrial…
Bodyguard and Line Of Duty production house World Productions have got another drama project set for BBC One. Six episodes of Showtrial are in development from series creator Ben Richards. The series covers a trial “that grips the nation, placing victim and accused – as well as their families – at the heart of a media storm.”
Here’s a synopsis:
“Showtrial tells the story of 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: Falsely accused? Or callous murderer?”
Actors have yet to be cast in Showtrial, which will go into production early next year.
“The right to a fair trial and the idea of reasonable doubt lie at the heart of a civilised society”, said Richards. “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.”
“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”, explained World Productions CEO Simon Heath.
Controller of BBC Drama Piers Wenger added “Rich in character and truly contemporary, 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. In Showtrial, Ben shows his powers as an independent thinker and an innovative storyteller, and we are delighted to be working with he and Simon Heath to bring this series to the BBC One.”