Lineup and launch date revealed for return of hit BBC series – three years on from last episode
THE BBC has confirmed the return date for the hit crime drama with an all-new cast featuring a Fool Me Once star.
The broadcaster has teased the second season of the anthology series Showtrial with a brand-new trailer that introduces the new characters.”
The five-part second season from the production company behind Line of Duty and Bodyguard will be available to watch on Sunday 6th October 2024.
The cast includes Fool Me Once’s Adeel Akhtar, This Is England’s Michael Socha, Game of Thrones‘ Joe Dempsie, and The Batman’s Nathalie Armin, alongside a large supporting cast.
Telling a brand new original story, the latest instalment in the anthology series sees climate activist Marcus Calderwood (Barney Fishwick) left for dead in a violent hit and run.
He uses his dying moments to apparently identify his killer – a serving policeman.
From Calderwood’s last breath to the jury’s final verdict, Showtrial introduces us to the charismatic and cocky police officer Justin Mitchell (Michael Socha).
And Sam Malik (Adeel Akhtar) an anxious defence solicitor with a reputation for winning lost causes.
DI Miles Southgate (Joe Dempsie) is brought in from a neighbouring force to investigate, and Leila Hassoun-Kenny (Nathalie Armin) is a driven CPS lawyer leading the case against the accused.
As public outrage reaches fever-pitch, the series asks what happens when a trial is dominated by cultural divisions and if the truth is ever clear cut.
Is a fair trial even possible when tensions are riding so high?
Showtrail was filmed in Belfast with additional filming in Brighton.
The first series came to a dramatic conclusion back in 2021.
The legal drama focused on character Talitha Campbell – a arrogant daughter of a wealthy entrepreneur.
She was arrested following the disappearance of fellow student, Hannah Ellis, a hard-working daughter of a single mother.
Although the story will ring true for some, it is not believed to be based on real life events.
BBC crime dramas
The BBC is reopening case files on an all-star line-up of crime dramas this summer.
Here’s a refresher on the popular programmes which span six decades.
- Campion: Aired from 1989 to 1990, this detective drama series was adapted from novels by Margery Allingham and stars Peter Davison.
- Dalziel And Pascoe: A gritty detective drama series about a mismatched pair of policemen, based on the award-winning books by Reginald Hill. Aired from 1996 to 2007.
- Death In Paradise: A misanthropic detective inspector is assigned to a Caribbean island against his will. Premiered in 2011 and is still on air to this day.
- Happy Valley: Created by Sally Wainwright, this northern noir follows Sarah Lancashire as Sgt Catherine Cawood – tough, defiant and facing her traumatic past.
- Hinterland: Welsh drama starring Richard Harrington. Brooding DCI Tom Mathias uncovers secrets – and links to his troubled past amid mountainous terrain and close-knit villages. Aired from 2013 to 2016.
- Inspector Lynley Mysteries: Based on the novels of Elizabeth George, this drama series is about upper-crust DI Thomas Lynley and working class DS Barbara Havers. Aired from 2001 to 2007.
- Jonathan Creek: Starring comedian Alan Davies, this comedy-drama series follows a inventor of magic tricks who is often called in to solve puzzling murders. Aired from 1997 to 2016.
- Law & Order: Originally broadcast in 1978, this four-part drama series is about the British judicial system. Stars include Peter Dean and Derek Martin.
- Life On Mars: Beguiling science-fiction police drama following a Manchester policeman who travels back to 1973 following a car accident. Stars John Simm and Philip Glenister. Aired from 2006 to 2007.
- Line Of Duty: Created by Jed Mercurio, this drama follows the investigations of AC-12, a controversial police anticorruption unit. Stars Martin Compston, Vicky McClure and Adrian Dunbar, aired from 2012 to 2021.
- Luther: Crime drama series starring Idris Elba as DCI John Luther. Aired from 2010 to 2019, with a follow-up film released in 2023.
- New Tricks: Warm-hearted drama following an eccentric group of old-fashioned detectives. Starring Dennis Waterman, Amanda Redman, Alun Armstrong and James Bolam. Aired from 2003 to 2015.
- Sherlock: Benedict Cumberbatch stars a modern day Sherlock Holmes, teaming up with Martin Freeman‘s war veteran Dr Watson to solve impossible crimes. Aired from 2010 to 2017.
- Shetland: Detective drama starring Douglas Henshall, Ashley Jensen and Alison O’Donnell, showcasing the dark side of one of the most beautiful places on earth. Premiered in 2013 and is still on air to this day.
- The Cops: Set in the fictional northern town of Stanton, this acclaimed, provocative police drama stars Katy Cavanagh, Rob Dixon and John Henshaw. Aired from 1998 to 2001.
- Waking The Dead: With a cast including Trevor Eve, Sue Johnston and Wil Johnson, this series follows a cold case team who unearths sleeping secrets, but sometimes the past is best left buried. Aired from 2000 to 2011.
- Wallander: Starring Sir Kenneth Branagh, Kurt Wallander is unable to unsee the dark crimes he’s tasked to investigate while Wallander’s job comes at a cost to his family and relationships. Aired from 2008 to 2016.
The scene was set for a court case that gripped the nation, however, the majority that tuned in were left feeling let down by the end of it.
Adeel Akhtar has joined the season two cast and is best known for his role in Netflix’s Fool Me Once, which been revealed the show is Netflix’s most-watched series of 2024 so far.
The series dropped on New Year’s Day and the nation were hooked on the eight-part drama, starring former Coronation Street actress Michelle Keegan.
Fool Me Once racked up a huge 108 million views, beating the likes of Bridgerton, Baby Reindeer and One Day.
The 37-year-old actress is now tipped to make the move to Hollywood.
Showtrail will return to BBC One and BBC iPlayer on Sunday 6th October at 9pm. The first series is available to watch now.