ITV series The Jury

The Jury is a compelling, character based series which focuses on the everyday people who find themselves at the centre of one of the most controversial criminal re-trials of their time. It is gripping, dark and emotionally charged and the jurors are forced to face the complexities of their own lives as they are caught up in the experiences of being a key player in such a high profile Old Bailey trial.

Julie Walters plays Emma Watts, a defence barrister who is determined to free Alan Lane (John Lynch - Sliding Doors, Merlin), a man convicted for the violent murder of three women he met on the internet. New evidence has come to light which calls his conviction into question and there is a fierce battle between Watts and John Mallory (Olivier award winning Roger Allam – The Thick of It, The Queen) who is the prosecution barrister for Lane.

Among the jurors are Paul Brierley (Steven Mackintosh - Mo, Land Girls) a young man who cares for his elderly mother (Anne Reid - Dinnerladies, Coronation Street), Katherine Bulmore (Jodhi May - Tipping the Velvet, Sleep with Me) a teacher who has fallen in love with her 17 year old pupil, 18 year old Rashid Jarwar (Aqib Khan - West is West), Lucy Cartwright (Natalie Press - My Summer of Love, Five Daughters) who unwittingly finds herself standing in for her busy boss Theresa (Sarah Alexander - Armstrong and Miller, Coupling), Krystina Bamford (Branka Katic - Public Enemies, Entourage) a lonely housewife, and senior citizen Jeffery Livingstone (Ronald Pickup - Lark Rise to Candleford, Fortunes of War) who strikes up a friendship with Sudanese refugee Tahir Takana (Ivanno Jeremiah - Injustice, The Veteran).

Episode 1

Defence barrister Emma Watts is determined to free Alan Lane, a man convicted of the violent murder of three women he met on the internet. New evidence has come to light which calls his conviction into question and Watts anticipates a fierce battle with John Mallory, the prosecution barrister. The 12 jurors are called - and a mysterious woman follows one of them home.

Episode 2

Mallory calls his witnesses and the evidence against Lane is examined and argued by Watts. The jurors' messy lives unfold and the mysterious woman tells Paul that she was a member of the first jury that tried Lane. Meanwhile, lonely Kristina creates an internet dating profile and Lane writes back to Ann.

Episode 3

Watts cross-examines Commander Howson, the man in charge of the investigation into Lane. Tahir tells Jeffrey about his experience in Sudan, while Paul and Tasha grow closer over lunch. Katherine has a big decision to make. Kristina goes to meet her internet date.

Episode 4

Lane takes the stand. Jeffrey waits anxiously as Tahir finds out about his US visa. Tasha tells Paul some shocking facts about the collapse of the first trial. The jury retire to consider their verdict and Paul gets the job as foreman. Rashid stands up to his bullies.

Episode 5

Paul has told the jury what he knows and they struggle to reach a majority. As they deliberate, Lane and Watts wait anxiously for the verdict. Rashid gives Paul information that makes him question everything. Tasha has a lot of explaining to do once the jury deliver their verdict.

ITV series The Jury starring Julie Walters and Roger Allam

Five-part series following twists and turns in the courtroom

Starring Julie Walters, John Lynch, Roger Allam, Steven Mackintosh, Anne Reid, Jodhi May and Natalie Press

The DVD for this series will be released once it has aired.

Photograph of Julie Walters in character as defence attorney Emma Watts for ITV's legal drama The Jury