Judge
John Deed by
GF Newman
A brand new series of the gripping legal drama Judge John Deed returns
to BBC ONE in Autumn 2002
Following
a hugely successful first series, Judge John Deed is back for a
second series with Martin Shaw in the title role.
Written
by BAFTA award-winning writer GF Newman, Judge John Deed is not
an average High Court judge.
He
has built his reputation through asking difficult questions and
refusing to compromise the truth in the pursuit of justice.
An
idealist at heart, the Judge's more traditional colleagues regard
him as something of a renegade to the old school tie.
He's
made it to the top of his profession on his own terms, armed with
a sharp intellect, a rakish charm, keen wit and passionate belief
in justice.
Fearless
and independent, he is sworn to serve state and sovereign, not the
government hacks that constantly try to influence his decisions.
In
the first episode, Deed must deal with corruption within the jury
and the suspected murder of a QC. A
body of a call girl is discovered dumped in a skip, and a high profile
diplomat's car is witnessed at the scene.
The
case is further complicated when it is revealed that the British
government is engaged in a deal to secure a huge aircraft order
from the diplomat's country.
Finalising
the contract seems to be more important than seeing justice is done.
It
soon becomes apparent that the key witnesses and jury in the trial
are being leant on, with the possible knowledge of Brian Cantwell
QC (John Sessions), the egotistical and aggressive defence barrister.
Furthermore, there are threats against prosecution barrister Jo
Mills (Jenny Seagrove).
Away
from the courtroom, Deed continues his tempestuous relationship
with Jo Mills.
His
ex-wife Georgina Channing QC (Caroline Langrishe) is now engaged
to Cabinet Minister Neil Haughton (Nick Reding). Deed and Haughton
are destined not to see eye to eye.
Subsequent
episodes show a compromised case of a man with the mental age of
13 standing trial for murder; three siblings accused of killing
their tyrannical father, and a young boy mugged for his mobile phone.
Away
from the courtroom Judge John Deed faces some tough decisions when
he tries to persuade his daughter Charlie (Louisa Clein) to reconsider
the fate of her unborn baby.
"The
pilot episode and first series of Judge John Deed were some of the
highest rated dramas of past years and provoked a considerable reaction
from the public, the legal profession and the critics," says
Jane Tranter, Controller of Drama Commissioning.
Executive
Producer and BBC Controller Drama Series, Mal Young, said: "The
combination of GF Newman's quality scripts and Martin Shaw's superb
performance, ensure this latest series stays on top form."
GF
Newman's previous credits include the ground-breaking BBC series
Law and Order and the Channel 4 series The Nation's Health, which
itself caused a storm of protest from doctors.
He
says: "Drama is about stretching cosy assumptions to breaking
point and finding something worthwhile with which to replace them."
An
all-star cast includes Christopher Cazenove (Row Colemore) and Sir
Donald Sinden (Sir Joseph Channing).
Judge
John Deed is written and produced by GF Newman and made by One-Eyed
Dog Ltd for BBC ONE. Executive Producers for the BBC are Mal Young
and Ruth Caleb.
Notes
to Editors
Written/produced
by GF
Newman
Starring
Martin
Shaw, Jenny Seagrove, Christopher Cazenove, Simon Chandler, Louisa
Clein, Fraser James, Caroline Langrishe, Sir
Donald Sinden, Barbara Thorn
Guest
starring Samantha Janus, Eddie Marsan, Sheridan Morley, Alec
Newman, Jemma Redgrave, Nick Reding, John Sessions, Ruby Turner,
Billie Whitelaw
Directed
by Jonny
Campbell (episodes 1 & 3), David
Kew (episode 2), Andy
Hay (episode 4),
Executive
Producers Mal
Young and Ruth
Caleb
Made
by GF Newman / One Eyed Dog Ltd for BBC ONE.
A
Judge John Deed press pack is available below in pdf
format. You may require Adobe Acrobat Software to read PDF files
which can be obtained here.
Judge
John Deed press pack (61 KB)
New
series of Judge John Deed now filming on location for BBC ONE
(04.07.02)
|
