Showtrial Returning to BBC

Showtrial is slated to return to BBC One with a brand-new cast and investigation for a second season.

The series centers around a hotly contested criminal trial that takes place under the media spotlight and divides the nation. The new season will star BAFTA Award winner Adeel Akhtar (Sherwood, Ali & Ava, Utopia), Nathalie Armin (Home, Unforgotten, The Batman) and Michael Socha (The Gallows Pole, Chernobyl, This Is England).

Season two, produced by World Productions for BBC One and BBC iPlayer, follows the case of climate activist Marcus Calderwood. After he is left for dead in a violent hit and run, Calderwood uses his final moments to identify his killer: an unnamed police officer.

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 honored to have a cast of such high quality to deliver it.”

Akhtar added: “I’m a big fan of Ben’s writing and so excited to be given the opportunity to join the second series of a brilliant show.”

“I’m thrilled to be a part of this brilliant story,” commented Armin. “Leila is a fascinating role, and I can’t wait to bring her to life.”

Socha said: “Loved series one! I cannot wait to get into the shoes of a character with such depth and ambiguity.”

Simon Heath, CEO and creative director of World Productions, added: “Ben’s sharp, timely and provocative scripts have once again attracted a stellar cast to this new season of our Showtrial anthology. I can’t wait to see how Adeel, Nathalie and Michael bring to life Ben’s compelling triumvirate of lead characters.”