John Thomson plays Charlie Darling

Barrister

Charlie has always lived life by the seat of his pants and avoided responsibility – hence one failed marriage and big problems looming in his second one.

Addicted to risk and danger, he plays with the little money he has – usually losing when he follows a stock-market tip – and lives on the dream of one lucky break bringing him fame and fortune, as it did to his hero, George Carman.

But unlike his hero, Charlie lacks a killer instinct; under the bravado, he's fundamentally good-hearted. Over the course of the series he will gradually realise that the harmless flirtation he enjoys with Annie is slowly building into something far more profound.

Lara Cazalet plays Annie Quick

Barrister

In the storm of Jack's chambers, Annie is the calm. Wise beyond her years, Annie sees people for what they are and has a no-nonsense, pragmatic approach to life.

A good listener, people instinctively trust her with their problems but she rarely gives anything away about herself. Annie is Jack's conscience, bringing him back down to earth when he gets swept away by his ideals.

Trapped in a loveless marriage, Annie has stopped loving Chris because of who he has become – a bitter and vindictive man – not because of his wheelchair.

But as her affection for Charlie grows she is confronted with the possibility of tasting delicious excitement for perhaps the first time in her life.

Lee Williams plays Joe Stevens

Pupil barrister

Cocky, arrogant and fiercely ambitious, Joe's good looks gain him attention wherever he goes. A serial womaniser, Joe always manages to walk away unscathed – while still leaving his conquests feeling special.

Joe is in the second six months of his pupillage with Jack's chambers and although he admires Jack's success, he is secretly scathing of his over-commitment to the job.

Uncomfortable with Al's open homosexuality and wary of Annie's perceptivity, Joe naturally aligns himself with Charlie - although he's not quite as affable or middle-class.

Desperate to gain the place in chambers which would give him the authority and security he craves, Joe will undergo a series of tests set by Jack, but will ultimately be tripped up by his ego.

Chris Gascoyne plays Al Ware

Head clerk

A Mancunian through-and-through, Al and Jack became firm friends in their teens and although their lives have taken them in very different directions, their friendship has endured.

Street smart but not an academic achiever, Al drifted through life in a series of dead-end jobs until Jack encouraged him to become a legal clerk.

A quietly liberal man, Al is openly gay but doesn't feel the need to shout it from the rooftops. He has been with his partner, Steve, for six years and they have lived together for the last four.

Al has staked his future on helping Jack set up chambers and keeps faith with Jack where many lesser men would cut their losses.