A second series of Showtrial will be airing on the BBC soon, with Adeel Akhtar and Michael Socha leading the cast. Created and written by Ben Richards the first series aired back in 2021 which followed the trial of the daughter of a wealthy entrepreneur after the disappearance of a fellow student. The second series is focused on a completely new cast of characters and a new case as a result.
It will follow defence solicitor Sam Malik (Adeel Akhtar) acting on behalf of police officer Justin Mitchel (Michael Socha) who is accused of killing climate change activist Marcus Calderwood (Barney Fishwick) in a hit-and-run. As reported by the Radio Times , the official synopsis reads: "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); Sam Malik (Adeel Akhtar), an anxious defence solicitor with a reputation for winning lost causes; DI Miles Southgate (Joe Dempsie), brought in from a neighbouring force to investigate; and Leila Hassoun-Kenny (Nathalie Armin), 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?" Speaking to the Radio Times about the series, Adeel Akhtar was asked if he was worried about appearing in a show dealing with contentious issues. .
