Here’s Your First Look At Series 2 Of Showtrial

By Olivia Emily

6 months ago

The BBC has released first look images of this highly anticipated legal drama


Legal drama Showtrial was an instant hit when it first aired in autumn 2021, following Talitha Campbell (Céline Buckens), the arrogant daughter of a wealthy entrepreneur accused of murdering her fellow student Hannah Ellis (Abra Thompson), the hard-working daughter of a single mother. And now it’s finally time to take a look at Showtrial series 2.

While we won’t be revisiting those characters after the series’ explosive conclusion, in 2023, the BBC confirmed Showtrial was being developed into an anthology format, meaning we will watch a new trial in the same format, with a brand new cast of characters. The BBC has just revealed our first look at the series – here’s exactly what to expect.

Adeel Akhtar as Sam Malik in Showtrial series 2

Adeel Akhtar as Sam Malik

What Will Happen In Showtrial Series 2?

Showtrial series 2 will focus on the (fictional) high profile case of ‘Officer X’, a policeman accused of murdering famous climate activist Marcus Calderwood (Barney Fishwick). Across five hour-long episodes, audiences will witness everything from Marcus’ last breath to the jury’s final verdict.

Beginning with Marcus’ dying moments, in which he apparently identifies his killer, Showtrial series 2 centres on Officer X aka cocky police officer Justin Mitchell (Michael Socha). Chronicling the whole trial, he is joined by Sam Malik (Adeel Akhtar), an anxious defence solicitor with a reputation for winning lost causes, as well as Leila Hassoun-Kenny (Nathalie Armin), a driven CPS lawyer leading the case against the accused.

Covering such a current, divisive topic, as you can imagine, public outrage will reach fever-pitch, and Showtrial considers what happens when a trial is dominated by cultural divisions and whether a fair trial is even possible when tensions are riding so high.

So, will Justin prove to be innocent? Or will Marcus’ tragic death prove to be a premeditated murder?

Michael Socha as Justin Mitchell

Michael Socha as Justin Mitchell

Who Stars?

There’s a whole new cast for Showtrial series 2. You can expect to see:

  • Barney Fishwick as Marcus Calderwood
  • Michael Socha as Justin Mitchell
  • Nathalie Armin as Leila Hassoun-Kenny
  • Adeel Akhtar as Sam Malik
  • Joe Dempsie
  • Fisayo Akinade
  • Tom Padley
  • Kerrie Hayes
  • Francesca Annis as Dame Harriet Kenny
  • Nina Toussaint-White
  • Zoe Telford
  • Ali Khan
  • Daniel Kendrick
  • Frankie Wilson
  • Anna Próchniak
  • Anna Wilson Jones
  • John Light
  • Aidan McArdle
  • Daisy Badger
  • Flora Montgomery
  • Pearce Quigley
  • John Marquez
  • Anna Healy

First Look

A still from Showtrial

Release Date

No release date for Showtrial series 2 just yet, but we will update this page when we know.

Where Is It Streaming?

Showtrial will be available to stream on BBC iPlayer once it has aired on TV.

WATCH

Catch up with series one of Showtrial at bbc.co.uk