The Trial: A Murder in the Family

The Trial: A Murder in the Family is a British television docudrama, produced by Dragonfly Film and television, that first broadcast on Channel 4 on 21 May 2017. The five-part series follows a fictional court case in which university lecturer Simon Davis (Michael Gould) is tried for the murder of his wife Carla, in an attempt to recreate an accurate portrayal of an English legal trial. Filming and recording of nearly all real court proceedings in England and Wales are currently prohibited, hence the trial presented cannot be a genuine case.[1] However, the prosecuting counsel, defence counsel and judge featured in the series are real professionals; and the jury is made up of twelve members of the British public. The only actors featured are the defendant and other key witnesses.[2]

The Trial: A Murder in the Family
GenreDocudrama
Created byNick Holt
Written bySarah Quintrell
Directed byNick Holt
Kath Mattock
StarringMichael Gould
Emma Lowndes
Kevin Harvey
Fern Deacon
Farshid Rokey
Max Hill
Michelle Nelson
John Ryder
Lucy Organ
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Original language(s)English
No. of series1
No. of episodes5 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producer(s)Emma Loach
Jonathan Smith
Producer(s)Andrew Litvin
Editor(s)Ben Brown
Richard Graham
Running time60 minutes
Production company(s)Dragonfly
Release
Original networkChannel 4
Picture format16:9 (1080i)
Audio formatStereo
Original release21 May (2017-05-21) –
26 May 2017 (2017-05-26)

The series was co-directed by Nick Holt, who won a BAFTA in 2013 for the Channel 4 documentary The Murder Trial, which followed a very similar format. Holt stated that the new format would "bring audiences closer than ever to those mechanics of a real murder trial." Fellow director Kath Mattock said that; "During rehearsals only three actors knew the truth and we tried to maintain that all the way through the trial. Concepts like 'truth' and 'story' are very subjective in a courtroom, so the trial had a natural fluidity within the confines of the legal process." Although the jury were aware that Davis was played by an actor, they were asked to treat the case as if it was a real trial, and only presented with the evidence as it was revealed in court.[3]

Max Hill QC, who appears as the prosecuting barrister in this case, was appointed as the independent reviewer for terrorism laws in the UK shortly before the series was filmed.[4] Davis' defence barrister, John Ryder QC, is notable for having played a crucial part in the trial of those suspected of the murder of Damilola Taylor.[5]

Cast
  • Michael Gould as Simon Davis
  • Emma Lowndes as Carla Davis
  • Kevin Harvey as Lewis Skinner
  • Fern Deacon as Catherine Davis
  • Liam Sargeant as Oscar Davis
  • Farshid Rokey as Danny Mullen
  • Max Hill QC, Senior Prosecution Barrister
  • Michelle Nelson, Junior Prosecution Barrister
  • John Ryder QC, Senior Defence Barrister
  • Lucy Organ, Junior Defence Barrister
  • Brian Barker CBE QC, Crown Court Judge
  • Corrine Bowler as Detective Constable No. 1
  • Nina Tanner as Detective Constable No. 2

Jury
  • Brendan Arndt; Mobile Product Manager
  • Tim Hashemi; Student
  • Simon Haywood; Security Officer
  • James Katz; Barber
  • Mark Maylam; Painter and Decorator
  • Cherry Morrell; Office Manager
  • Natalie Pickup; Teacher
  • Martha Vickers; Retired Health Visitor
  • Gemma Whitehouse; Hedge Fund Associate
  • Christine Bruce-Reid ; Housewife
  • Lisa; Tax Inspector

Episodes
Episode Title Written by Directed by Viewers
(millions)[6]		 Original airdate
1"Episode 1"Sarah QuintrellNick Holt & Kath Mattock2.1921 May 2017 (2017-05-21)
The jury are introduced to Simon Davis, accused of the murder of his estranged wife, Carla. Evidence given by a forensic examiner reveals that Carla was pregnant at the time of her death.
2"Episode 2"Sarah QuintrellNick Holt & Kath Mattock1.6122 May 2017 (2017-05-22)
One of Carla's former work colleagues gives evidence, and Simon's ex-wife takes the stand to strengthen claims by the prosecution that he is capable of violence towards a sexual partner.
3"Episode 3"Sarah QuintrellNick Holt & Kath Mattock1.6523 May 2017 (2017-05-23)
Carla's boyfriend, Lewis Skinner, gives evidence following claims that a former work colleague, Danny Mullen, spotted him in the area shortly before Carla's body was found.
4"Episode 4"Sarah QuintrellNick Holt & Kath Mattock1.4824 May 2017 (2017-05-24)
The trial concludes with the final delivery of Simon's evidence, as the jury retire to begin deliberations.
5"Episode 5"Sarah QuintrellNick Holt & Kath Mattock1.4925 May 2017 (2017-05-25)
As the jury continue to try to reach a majority verdict, the truth about what happened on the day of Carla Davis' death is revealed through flashbacks.
gollark: Oh. That kind of makes sense.
gollark: Although solar power and automatic time sync is cool.
gollark: Yes, that does look bad.
gollark: I see.
gollark: Wow, I definitely care about this arbitrary rule?

References
  1. "Crown Courts to pilot filming for the first time – GOV.UK". www.gov.uk.
  2. "Channel 4's The Trial: how was it made and how real is it?".
  3. "The Trial: A Murder in the Family – Channel 4 – Info – Press". www.channel4.com.
  4. "Interview: Britain's new terror watchdog Max Hill – 'Getting justice for Damilola ranks as my proudest feat'".
  5. "Damilola Taylor, Preddie, Ricky, Danny". 9 April 2016. Archived from the original on 9 April 2016.
  6. "Top 30 Programmes – BARB". barb.co.uk. Retrieved 11 February 2016.
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