The shocking real life crimes that inspired BBC drama Showtrial

After a long three year wait, Showtrial is finally set to return for a second series on BBC One this Sunday. 

Telling a brand new original story, the hit drama will see climate activist Marcus Calderwood (Barney Fishwick) left for dead in a violent hit and run as viewers can look forward to another gripping season. 

The first series saw fans hooked by the trial of arrogant student Talitha Campbell (Céline Buckens) after the death of her friend Hannah Ellis (Abra Thompson) with the plot inspired by compelling real life crimes. 

Viewers were left shocked when Talitha was found 'not guilty' after she displayed such unlikeable characteristics as the series explored what it means to have a right to a fair trial. 

While the show wasn't based on a true story or any singular case, the show's creator Ben Richards and director Zara Hayes revealed to the BBC they were both influenced by real court cases. 

Fascinated with true crime cases that catch the public's interest, Zara revealed she was inspired by one particular case in America when a 12-year-old boy killed his friend's stepfather.

During the case there was footage of the child being taken from the crime scene in handcuffs and he didn't appear to show any emotion. 

Zara explained: 'This was sort of used by the media to show what a cold killer he was, aged 12.'

While experts later said his reaction was a result of trauma, rather than him not showing any remorse, the public already had an opinion on him. 

This helped inspire Talitha's character in the show as it becomes clearer as the trial progresses that there is more to her underneath her arrogant persona and blunt responses. 

Meanwhile Ben took inspiration from the Shrien Dewani trial in South Africa. 

Shrien Dewani, from Bristol, was accused of arranging a hit on his new wife Anni, who was murdered during their honeymoon in South Africa.

The couple were held at gunpoint while being driven in a taxi through Cape Town, however prior to the trial there was press speculation about Shrien sexuality.

'His homosexuality was widely reported as a motive for why he might have killed his wife. It was dug up by the press that he used male prostitutes and stuff like that,' Ben explained.

The case collapsed due to the credibility of evidence, but it made Ben think about the way sexuality can be weaponised by the media during some trials. 

They then applied this to Talitha's character as she funds her studied through sex work after becoming estranged from her wealthy father. 

In the series Talitha is called a 'Lady Tease' by the press as Zara added: 'You see that in the way that Talitha and Hannah are pitted against each other at the beginning and that contrast in which women are labelled the 'angel' or 'whore'.

'The focus by the media is all on Talitha, not Dhillon. It's kind of been happening for centuries but it still continues to happen. It's something that's really being talked about recently and people are coming to understand.'

Zara was also inspired by the power imbalances and the treatment of women depicted in the BBC series Impeachment: American Crime Story. 

The true-crime dramatisation was based on the affair that almost cost Bill Clinton his presidency.

She added: 'I think it's very interesting what's been done with the show and the fact that it was known as the Monica Lewinsky scandal for so long, not the Clinton affair. Why did everyone accept that label?'

The new series will star BAFTA award-winner Adeel Akhtar, Nathalie Armin and Michael Socha. 

The premise will once again focus on a gripping trial occurring in the media spotlight after a high-profile climate activist is left for dead in a violent hit and run. 

Marcus Calderwood identifies his killer in his final moments as he recognises it is a serving policeman.

Speaking about the upcoming series, the show's 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.' 

The drama will unfold as Michael, known for This Is England and The Gallows Pole, plays the cocky officer Justin Mitchell as he battles against Adeel, known for The Dictator and Utopia, who plays the anxious defence solicitor Sam Gill. 

Natalie Armin, known for Home and Unforgotten, will lead the case against the accused as strong CPS lawyer Leila Hassoun-Kenny.

Just as it did in season one, Showtrial will explore whether the truth is ever clear cut and if it's possible to have a fair trial when tensions are riding so high. 

Showtrial will be available on BBC iPlayer from 6am on Sunday 6 October and will air on BBC One on Sunday nights at 9pm.