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Set over one blisteringly hot summer's night when nerves are frayed and tensions ride high, the BBC’s One Night is the story of four ordinary people whose fates are linked by a seemingly inconsequential event.
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Homepage > Silk
Maxine Peake (Criminal Justice), Rupert Penry-
Maxine Peake is Martha Costello, in her thirties, single, passionate and a defence barrister applying for silk. Innocent until proven guilty are four words she lives by.
Joining Martha is Clive Reader, played by Rupert Penry-
Neil Stuke plays Billy, the senior clerk at Martha's chambers. He is dedicated to Martha, even if secretly he believes that she hasn't got a chance of being made a QC.
Nick Slade, played by Tom Hughes is Martha's pupil. Niamh Cranitch (Natalie Dormer) is assigned to Clive. Both are thrown in at the deep end and, as "baby barristers", must sink or swim.
Episode 1
Fresh from a successful defence for murder, Martha is immediately thrown two last-
Episode 2
Famous for her opposition to the way the Justice system treats rape victims, Martha
is handed a case to represent a man accused of raping his ex-
Episode 3
Martha defends Mark Draper, a vulnerable teenager accused of cottaging in a men's
toilet in a popular park along with two other men. Noah and Clive each defend the
other two men. On the day of the trial, Noah is taken ill and Nick is forced to
take his place at the last minute. He is embarrassed when he doesn't know a point
of law. When Martha cross-
Episode 4
Martha has been forced to defend Rachna Ali, an Asian policewoman accused of racism. However, at the same time, Mark Draper, the vulnerable teenager that she defended in episode three, has been arrested for murder. Martha wants to take the case but Billy insists Clive does it. Despite admitting to making the racist comment, Rachna refuses to plead guilty. Suspicious that Rachna isn't telling her something, Martha insists the police officer to whom Rachna made the comment, PC Johnson, is called to testify.
Episode 5
Martha is given a high-
Episode 6
Martha is preparing for the biggest case of her career – defending Mark Draper, accused
of murdering a high court judge. Clive is defending Mark's girlfriend, Emma Slater,
also accused of the murder. After visiting the scene of the crime, Mark tells Martha
the judge attacked him with a golf club and it was self-

The lives, loves and hard cases facing front line barristers
© BBC Drama
Photograph shows Rupert Penry-
30/03/2011: The BBC announces that a second series has been commissioned.