Community hub
0 subscribers7 pages, 0 posts
Recent from talks
All channels
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Contribute something
Welcome to the community hub built to collect knowledge and have discussions related to Defending the Guilty.
Nothing was collected or created yet.
Defending the Guilty
View on Wikipediafrom Wikipedia
| Defending the Guilty | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Sitcom |
| Written by | Kieron Quirke |
| Directed by | Tom George |
| Starring | |
| Country of origin | United Kingdom |
| Original language | English |
| No. of series | 1 |
| No. of episodes | 6 |
| Production | |
| Executive producers |
|
| Producer | Georgie Fallon |
| Running time | 30 minutes |
| Production company | Big Talk Productions |
| Original release | |
| Network | BBC Two |
| Release | 19 September 2018 – 22 October 2019 |
Defending the Guilty is a British television sitcom, starring Will Sharpe and Katherine Parkinson as London barristers. The programme was broadcast in the United Kingdom from 19 September 2018 on BBC Two. A second series was commissioned, but it was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Production
[edit]The series was created by Kieron Quirke and based on the 2010 best-selling memoir by Alex McBride (a criminal barrister).[1]
Cast
[edit]- Katherine Parkinson as Caroline Bratt, a senior barrister and Will's pupil master
- Will Sharpe as Will Packham, a junior barrister and pupil
- Gwyneth Keyworth as Danielle Sadler, a junior barrister and pupil
- Hanako Footman as Pia, a junior barrister and pupil
- Hugh Coles as Liam Mingay, a junior barrister and pupil
- Prasanna Puwanarajah as Ashley Jeevaratnam, a senior barrister and Danielle's pupil master
- Mark Bonnar as Miles Flynn, the Head of Chambers and Liam's pupil master
- Claudia Jessie as Nessa, Will's girlfriend
Episodes
[edit]| Series | Episodes | Originally released | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First released | Last released | |||
| Pilot | 1 | 19 September 2018 | ||
| 1 | 6 | 17 September 2019 | 22 October 2019 | |
Special
[edit]| No. | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original release date [2] | U.K viewers (millions) [3] | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | "Pilot" | Unknown | Unknown | 19 September 2018 | N/A | |
|
Will is a naive, 29-year-old pupil barrister competing with three others for the only available place in chambers. He works for Caroline, who calls herself Mummy and uses him as her personal servant. He works on the case of Mike, whose trial for attempted murder ends in acquittal due to needing to avoid revealing the identity of an informant. Will helps convicted teenage mugger Gracie avoid being imprisoned; soon afterwards she and her accomplice mug him in a tunnel as he is cycling home from work. | ||||||
Series 1
[edit]| No. | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original release date [2] | U.K viewers (millions) [3] | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Episode 1" | Tom George[4] | Kieron Quirke[4] | 17 September 2019 | N/A (<1.66)[a] | |
|
Same episode as pilot | ||||||
| 2 | "Episode 2" | Tom George[5] | Kieron Quirke[5] | 24 September 2019 | N/A | |
|
Hetty is an obnoxious woman with a long criminal record. She is tried for assaulting Deanna, whom her partner, Lee, cheated with. He gives evidence, ostensibly to help Hetty. He deliberately gives evidence which destroys the defence's case, causing Hetty to be imprisoned for eight months. Lee is pleased to have enabled himself to gain custody of his two children by Hetty and to continue his relationship with Deanna. Will is concerned about a rumour spreading that he had a one-night stand with an attractive young juror, Selina. He says that he merely kissed her. | ||||||
| 3 | "Episode 3" | Tom George[6] | Kieron Quirke[6] | 1 October 2019 | N/A | |
|
Will tells two colleagues about his encounter with Selina, that he kissed her passionately in the street and in a taxi, but that he did not have sex with her, rejecting her invitation into her house because he wanted to remain faithful to his girlfriend, Nessa. Will and Caroline's case against a mugger collapses due to the evidence against him being lost. | ||||||
| 4 | "Episode 4" | Tom George[7] | Kieron Quirke[7] | 8 October 2019 | N/A | |
|
Caroline and Will defend a man with an unusual obsession, and also get to know each other a little better. | ||||||
| 5 | "Episode 5" | Tom George[8] | Kieron Quirke, Alex McBride[8] | 15 October 2019 | N/A | |
|
The pupils are competing in a mock trial, complete with real actors. Liam and Danielle are paired against Pia and Will. Pia's stock has crumbled in Chambers after her sexual indiscretion. Will feels guilty about having leaked the information. Nessa finds out that Will is lying to her and confronts him about his affair. | ||||||
| 6 | "Episode 6" | Tom George[9] | Kieron Quirke[9] | 22 October 2019 | N/A | |
|
The pupils must address a court for the first time, which for Will means the seemingly straightforward case of defending a drug addict failed by an uncaring system. However, his confidence is rocked by the breakdown of his relationship, and he questions if he is really cut out for a career in law. Caroline is asked to give a lecture to the female bar association, but they are less than pleased by what she has to say. | ||||||
Broadcast
[edit]The programme was broadcast in the United Kingdom from 19 September 2018 on BBC Two.[10] The show was recommissioned for a second series,[11] but was later cancelled due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.[12]
Notes
[edit]- ^ Not reported in the weekly top 15 programmes for four-screen viewer ratings.
References
[edit]- ^ "Defending the Guilty: the show that celebrates lawyers who aren't heroes". The Guardian. 14 September 2019.
- ^ a b "Defending the Guilty – Listings". Next Episode. Retrieved 18 September 2019.
- ^ a b "Four Screen Dashboard (See relevant channel and week(s))". BARB.
- ^ a b "Episode 1". BBC. Retrieved 13 November 2023.
- ^ a b "Episode 2". BBC. Retrieved 13 November 2023.
- ^ a b "Episode 3". BBC. Retrieved 13 November 2023.
- ^ a b "Episode 4". BBC. Retrieved 13 November 2023.
- ^ a b "Episode 5". BBC. Retrieved 13 November 2023.
- ^ a b "Episode 6". BBC. Retrieved 13 November 2023.
- ^ "Defending the Guilty on BBC Two: air date, cast and more". Radio Times. 16 September 2019.
- ^ "BBC - BBC Two commissions Defending The Guilty for a second series - Media Centre". www.bbc.co.uk.
- ^ "Defending The Guilty's second series cancelled because of coronavirus". British Comedy Guide. 30 March 2021.
External links
[edit]- Defending the Guilty at BBC Online
- Defending The Guilty at IMDb
- Defending the Guilty at British Comedy Guide
 | This article related to a BBC television comedy programme is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by adding missing information. |
Defending the Guilty
View on Grokipediafrom Grokipedia
Premise and format
Premise
Defending the Guilty is a British sitcom that centers on Will Packham, an idealistic young pupil barrister who enters the competitive world of London's criminal courts to defend clients presumed guilty while striving to secure a permanent position, known as tenancy, in his chambers.[1] The narrative highlights Will's initial optimism clashing with the pragmatic demands of legal practice, where success often requires navigating moral ambiguities and prioritizing victories over absolute justice.[8] Set primarily in London criminal courts and the bustling barristers' chambers, the series portrays the day-to-day grind of junior barristers, including long hours, low pay, and intense rivalries among pupils competing for limited spots.[8] Will's core journey involves transitioning from naive enthusiasm to grappling with ethical dilemmas, workplace politics, and the unglamorous realities of representing unpopular clients, all under the guidance of his more cynical mentor, Caroline Bratt.[2] This arc underscores the tension between personal principles and professional survival in a flawed justice system.[4] The programme is loosely inspired by Alex McBride's 2010 memoir Defending the Guilty: Truth and Lies in the Criminal Court, which draws from the author's experiences as a criminal barrister, offering an insider's view of the British legal system's quirks and challenges.[9] Through Will's perspective, the series explores broader themes of integrity and compromise in the pursuit of justice, blending humor with sharp commentary on the profession.[3]Format and style
Defending the Guilty consists of six 30-minute episodes in a single series, structured as standalone stories centered on individual cases while incorporating overarching character development, particularly the pupils' competition for tenancy in their chambers; a pilot special aired in 2018 and was reworked as the first episode.[8][10][11] The series employs a single-camera sitcom style, featuring observational humor derived from the daily absurdities of barristers' chambers and quick-paced courtroom interactions that highlight the inefficiencies of legal proceedings.[8][4] Comedic techniques include a satirical depiction of legal bureaucracy, sharp witty dialogue reminiscent of profane political satires, and elements of farce through exaggerated character interactions in professional settings.[12][4][8] Classified as a legal sitcom, the show blends workplace comedy with dramatic insights into the British justice system, emphasizing the moral and procedural challenges of defending clients presumed guilty.[2][4]Cast and characters
Main cast
Will Sharpe portrays Will Packham, the idealistic protagonist and pupil barrister navigating the harsh realities of legal practice, constantly tested by moral dilemmas and professional pressures in his pursuit of justice.[13][14] Sharpe was cast for his ability to embody earnest, wide-eyed characters, drawing from prior roles in series like The Wrong Mans and And Then There Were None.[13] Katherine Parkinson plays Caroline Bratt, the cynical pupil master and Will's mentor, who delivers world-weary, pragmatic advice that serves as a comic foil to his naivety while highlighting the cutthroat nature of the profession.[13][4] Parkinson was selected for her proven comedic timing and sharp delivery, honed in acclaimed roles such as Jen Barber in The IT Crowd.[13] The series' dynamics revolve around the intense rivalry among the pupil barristers, including Will's competitors—ambitious Danielle (Gwyneth Keyworth), posh Liam (Hugh Coles), and driven Pia (Hanako Footman)—as they vie for a single tenancy spot, compounded by tense interactions with stern judges and unpredictable clients that underscore the chambers' competitive environment.[15][16]Supporting and guest cast
The supporting cast of Defending the Guilty features an ensemble of junior barristers and chambers staff who intensify the show's depiction of cutthroat workplace dynamics and legal satire. Among the pupils competing for tenancy alongside protagonist Will Packham are Danielle Sadler (Gwyneth Keyworth), an ambitious striver from a poor Welsh background who has toiled relentlessly to reach her position, often clashing with Will in high-stakes rivalries that underscore the competitive underbelly of the profession.[15] Liam Mingay (Hugh Coles), a posh rival burdened by the expectations of his barrister parents, frequently boasts about his advantages while employing cunning tactics to gain an edge, amplifying the series' humor through his entitled machinations and awkward attempts at superiority.[15][16] Pia (Hanako Footman), the eccentric genius straight out of university and a veteran of academic pursuits like Ancient Greek camps, serves as the unflappable favorite for tenancy with her socially awkward brilliance, contributing to comedic moments of intellectual detachment amid the chambers' chaos.[15] Ashley (Prasanna Puwanarajah), another pupil, embodies a performatively affable demeanor that masks insecurities, often mediating tensions but highlighting the performative niceties required in legal hierarchies.[16] Miles Flynn (Mark Bonnar), the pompous Head of Chambers and a brilliant silk, dominates interactions with his arrogant charisma, satirizing the self-important elite at the top of the profession while fueling interpersonal drama.[15] Nessa (Claudia Jessie), Will's girlfriend appearing across multiple episodes, adds layers of personal tension as she navigates his deceptions, enhancing the blend of romantic farce and professional absurdity.[17] Notable guest stars enrich individual episodes with satirical client portrayals, such as Daniel Rigby as Phillip in a tense domestic case that exposes procedural absurdities, and Esther Smith as Hannah, whose role in a mock trial subplot heightens the pupils' rivalries.[10] These appearances, often featuring comedians or character actors in exaggerated guilty archetypes, amplify the show's themes of moral ambiguity and bureaucratic farce without overshadowing the core ensemble.[4]Episodes
Pilot special
The pilot special of Defending the Guilty aired on BBC Two on 19 September 2018, serving as an introductory episode that tested the concept and led to the commission of a full six-part series.[18][19] With a runtime of 30 minutes, it introduces the series' premise of an idealistic young barrister navigating the gritty realities of criminal defense work.[14] The episode centers on Will Packham's (played by Will Sharpe) first day as a pupil barrister in a London chambers, where he shadows his pragmatic supervisor, Caroline (Katherine Parkinson), and begins to grasp the competitive dynamics among rival pupils vying for tenancy.[18][14] Will and Caroline take on the defense of a murder suspect facing overwhelming evidence, with the client insisting on a not guilty plea despite Caroline's distraction from her recent failed application for Queen's Counsel.[18] As Will defends what appears to be a minor procedural aspect of the case in court, his naivety clashes with the chaotic, cynicism-laden environment, highlighting the tension between his moral principles and the profession's pragmatic demands.[14] Key events include Will discovering he ranks last among the pupils for the tenancy spot, prompting a impulsive mistake that he partially redeems through quick thinking and reluctant adoption of courtroom cynicism.[18] The pilot establishes the series' tone through Will's idealism colliding with the disorder of real court proceedings, introducing mentor-pupil dynamics and the high-stakes rivalry among trainees while ending on a cliffhanger that underscores the uncertainty of Will's future in chambers.[14] This setup not only familiarizes viewers with the chambers' eccentric personalities and the ethical dilemmas of defending the guilty but also previews the bittersweet comedy derived from the legal world's absurdities.[18]Series 1
Series 1 of Defending the Guilty consists of six 30-minute episodes broadcast on BBC Two weekly from 17 September to 22 October 2019.[20] The season centers on pupil barrister Will Packham's efforts to secure tenancy amid fierce competition from peers Pia, Liam, and Danielle, while handling cases that test his idealism against the realities of defending guilty clients. Each episode revolves around a primary court case interwoven with subplots of chamber rivalries, personal relationships, and ethical quandaries, gradually escalating from Will's isolated professional hurdles to collective conflicts within the chambers that force him to confront his principles and evolve into a more resilient advocate. Episode 1 (17 September 2019)Will Packham navigates his first major challenges as a pupil by defending a would-be murderer in court, assisting a young slam poet facing custody for a minor offense, and performing menial tasks like procuring specific pastries for his mentor Caroline Bratt over the course of two hectic days.[21] This installment establishes Will's idealistic outlook clashing with the cutthroat pupillage environment and Caroline's demanding style, as he begins questioning the morality of his role while competing against fellow pupils.[11] Episode 2 (24 September 2019)
As Will wrestles with whether to confess a recent indiscretion to his girlfriend, his rising notoriety from a prior case presents an unexpected professional opportunity, while Caroline contemplates disclosing uncomfortable details about a particularly unappealing client.[22] The episode highlights emerging tensions in Will's personal life bleeding into his work, deepening the theme of balancing integrity with ambition amid pupil rivalries.[23] Episode 3 (1 October 2019)
Caroline and Will take on an urgent last-minute case involving a nervous victim, racing against time and systemic underfunding to secure justice for their client against a dangerous offender.[24] This fast-paced story underscores the duo's growing partnership and exposes the strains of the under-resourced legal system, advancing Will's adaptation to high-stakes advocacy beyond routine duties. Episode 4 (8 October 2019)
The pair defends a client harboring an unusual obsession, which not only complicates the trial but also fosters a deeper mutual understanding between Caroline and Will as they navigate the case's peculiarities.[25] Here, the focus shifts toward interpersonal dynamics within the chambers, illustrating Will's incremental shift from naive observer to collaborative team member while grappling with the ethical ambiguities of client representation. Episode 5 (15 October 2019)
The pupils participate in a mock trial featuring real actors, where Will receives cross-examination lessons from Caroline and applies them to a personal matter; meanwhile, Liam and Danielle's competitive pairing blurs lines between rehearsal and reality.[26] This chamber-wide exercise escalates rivalries among the pupils, marking a pivotal point in Will's development as he integrates mentorship insights into both professional and private conflicts. Episode 6 (22 October 2019)
Making their inaugural court appearances, the pupils confront real proceedings, with Will—still recovering from a recent breakup—questioning the viability of his barrister career amid mounting pressures.[27] The finale resolves the tenancy competition through climactic decisions and ethical reckonings, culminating Will's arc from wide-eyed idealist to a more tempered professional ready to defend the guilty despite personal costs.