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.

He said: "No, it didn't really worry me. I think when you're doing something with good writing, when you're part of a good TV show, there is always a bit of contention and a little bit of risk-taking that you have to sort of be alright with.

"And I feel like this particular TV programme is good to be out in the world, just because of the stuff that I've already said – it allows for people to look at other people's arguments and wonder if they can see it from another person's perspective."

BBC Showtrial series 2 full cast list

  • Adeel Akhtar as Sam Malik
  • Michael Socha as Justin Mitchell
  • Nathalie Armin as Leila Hassoun-Kenny
  • Zoe Telford as Helen McGuire
  • Fisayo Akinade as Felix Owusu
  • Joe Dempsie as DI Miles Southgate
  • Nina Toussaint-White as Claudia Wood
  • Francesca Annis as Dame Harriet Kenny
  • Ali Khan as Mani Malik-Cohen
  • John Light as Adrian Gilligan
  • Anna Wilson-Jones as Tamara Baudin-Kennedy

  • Daniel Kendrick as PC Kyle Jones
  • Ayesha Griffiths as Grace Eze
  • Abigail Cruttenden as Dr Nesbitt
  • Nicola Thorp as Christine Stewart
  • Tom Padley as DS Iain Packham
  • Frankie Wilson as PC Nick Taylor
  • Jamie Ballard as Chief Superintendent Whitley
  • Kerrie Hayes as PC Becky Hollis
  • Cailum Carragher as PC Robert Hyndley
  • Hannah Briercliffe as Daniella Fielding
  • Aidan McArdle as Patrick Norris
  • Barney Fishwick as Marcus Calderwood

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When will Showtrial series 2 be on TV?

The first episode of the second series of Showtrial will air at 9pm on Sunday, October 6 on BBC One.

After that, the remaining four episodes will air in the same timeslot over the following weeks.

Alternatively, all episodes will also be available to watch on BBC iPlayer from 6am on Sunday.