The returning series will feature a brand new cast, including Adeel Akhtar, Nathalie Armin and Michael Socha.
Alongside a new cast, the new five-part series of Showtrial, written and created by Ben Richards, will feature an explosive new murder investigation that divides the nation and takes place in the full glare of the media spotlight.
When the high-profile climate activist Marcus Calderwood is left for dead in a violent hit and run, he uses his dying moments to identify his killer, a serving policeman. But who is this unnamed ‘Officer X’? What does his own history reveal about the nature of trauma and revenge, and was Marcus’s death a careless accident or cold-blooded murder?
From the victim's last breath to the jury’s final verdict, Showtrial takes us into the worlds of the charismatic and cocky officer Justin Mitchell, played by Michael Socha, Sam Gill, played by Adeel Akhtar, an anxious defence solicitor with a reputation for winning lost causes; and Leila Hassoun-Kenny, played by Nathalie Armin, a rigorous CPS lawyer leading the case against the accused.
As public outrage reaches fever-pitch, Showtrial questions what happens when a trial is dominated by contentious issues and whether the truth is ever clear cut. Is a fair trial possible when tensions are riding so high?
Speaking about the drama's upcoming return, creator and writer Ben Richards said "I am very grateful to the BBC for the opportunity to explore another sensational trial which I hope will be just as entertaining as our first outing. I love writing Showtrial and I’m honoured to have a cast of such high quality to deliver it."
To which Adeel Akhtar added "I’m a big fan of Ben’s writing and so excited to be given the opportunity to join the second series of a brilliant show."
Nathalie Armin said "I’m thrilled to be a part of this brilliant story. Leila is a fascinating role and I can’t wait to bring her to life."
And Michael Socha added "Loved series one! I cannot wait to get into the shoes of a character with such depth and ambiguity."
Made by World Productions, Showtrial will be directed by Julia Ford, produced by Ken Horn and executive produced by Simon Heath and Emma Luffingham for World Productions and Nawfal Faizullah for the BBC.
Speaking ahead of the new series, CEO, World Productions, Simon Heath said "Ben’s sharp, timely and provocative scripts have once again attracted a stellar cast to this new season of our Showtrial anthology. I can’t wait to see how Adeel, Nathalie and Michael bring to life Ben’s compelling triumvirate of lead characters."
To which Director of BBC Drama, Lindsay Salt added "We're so excited to once again join forces with Ben Richards and World Productions to bring a new unmissable Showtrial to BBC One and iPlayer. With Adeel, Nathalie and Michael leading the cast, and a brand new central mystery to be played out in front of the nation, Showtrial will have viewers hooked from the start."
Filming on Showtrial will begin in November in Belfast with further casting set to be announced in due course.
Showtrial will return to BBC One