If The Split is your idea of TV heaven, now would be a good time to pay attention. While it seems we're experiencing something of a legal drama drought when it comes to new TV, we've stumbled upon a brilliant series that's up the with the BBC favourite. Enter The Jury, the tension-packed courtroom drama that stars Julie Walters as the feistiest defence barrister we've seen - and when we say it'll hook you in minutes, we really mean it.

Originally released in 2002, the drama takes us to the heart of the judicial system, with the first series following the trial of teenage boy Duvinder Singh, who stands accused of fatally stabbing classmate John Maher using a ceremonial sword. Series 2, which stars Julie, introduces to a completely different case - the retrial of Alan Lane, who was convicted of murdering three women he met online. The question is, can each jury deliver justice?

With the series now available to stream on ITVX, here’s everything you need to know about The Jury, including the plot, cast and how to watch it.

What is The Jury about?

editorial use only mandatory credit: photo by itv/shutterstock (1535535br) julie walters as emma watts qc. the jury tv programme nov 2011 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.
ITV/Shutterstock

The first series of The Jury centres around the brutal murder of 15-year-old boy John Maher, who was stabbed 28 times with a ceremonial sword on his way to school. His Sikh classmate, Duvinder Singh, is charged with the murder, and with the eyes of the entire nation on the case, 12 jurors – each with personal traumas of their own - find themselves having to make a tough decision.

The jurors include recovering alcoholic Johnny (Gerard Butler), former clergyman Charlies (Stuart Bunce), Rose (Helen McCrory), whose husband became paranoid after a car accident, and a dying elderly woman named Elsie (Sylvia Syms). While the trial takes centre stage in the series, it also focuses on the jurors’ personal lives, exploring how their prejudices and life experience influence their decisions.

editorial use only mandatory credit: photo by itv/shutterstock (690127j) the jury 2002 johnnie donne (gerard butler) arrives late at the old bailey after deciding to take on jury service. itv archive
ITV/Shutterstock

A second series was released in 2011 and it was well worth the wait to see Dame Julie Walters' performance as defence barrister Emma Watts. The story revolves around the controversial retrial of Alan Lane after the Court of Appeal overturns his conviction five years prior for the murders of three women he met on a dating site. Like the first series, the show focuses on the personal lives and conflicts of the jury, which includes a teacher having an affair with her 17-year-old student, a Sudanese immigrant waiting for a visa, a devout Christian and others with equally important stories.

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Peter Morgan, who wrote the series, told Digital Spy: “I quite like the idea - just as an abstract idea - of 12 people's collective life experiences and wisdom being this formidable thing. People say juries can be led - I think 12 people from different backgrounds, different races, different genders, different ages, it's hard to hoodwink. So I have great faith in juries and trust that they can see those nuances that lie between tricky legal questions."

Who’s in the cast of The Jury?

editorial use only mandatory credit: photo by itv/shutterstock (1535535bv) julie walters as emma watts qc. the jury tv programme nov 2011 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.
ITV/Shutterstock

The cast The Jury series 1 includes:

  • Gerard Butler (300, Law Abiding Citizen) as Johnnie Donne, Juror #1
  • Helen McCrory (Harry Potter, The Queen) as Rose Davies, Juror #2
  • Michael Maloney (The Trial of Christine Keeler) as Peter Segal, Juror #3
  • Nina Sosanya (Last Tango in Halifax) as Marcia Thomas, Juror #4
  • Nicholas Farrell (Mansfield Park) as Jeremy Crawford, Juror #5
  • Sylvia Syms (My Teenage Daughter) as Elsie Beamish, Juror #6
  • Paul Reynolds (Press Gang) as Warren Murphy, Juror #7
  • Stuart Bunce (The Gospel of John) as Charles Gore, Juror #8
  • Gillian Barge (Charlotte Gray) as Eva Prohaska, Juror #9
  • William Hoyland (For Your Eyes Only) as Hector, Juror #10
  • Connor McIntyre (Outlaws, Murder City) as Derek Batey, Juror #11
  • Sarah-Louise Young (as Jessica Garland, Juror #12
  • Antony Sher (Primo) as Gerald Lewis, Q.C. Counsel for the Prosecution
  • Derek Jacobi (I, Claudius) as George Cording, Q.C. Counsel for the Defence
  • Tim Healy (Benidorm) as Eddie Fannon
  • Jack Shepherd (Bill Brand) as Ron Maher
  • Mark Strong (Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy) as Len Davies
  • Peter Vaughan (Game of Thrones) as Michael Colchester

The cast of series 2 includes:

  • Julie Walters (Harry Potter) as Emma Watts, QC, counsel for the defence.
  • Sarah Alexander (Smack the Pony) as Theresa Vestry, Lucy’s boss
  • Roger Allam (V for Vendetta) as John Mallory, QC, prosecuting counsel
  • Danny Babington as Brian Bundy, Juror #5
  • Lisa Dillon (Cranford) as Tasha Williams
  • Jo Hartley (This Is England) as Ann Skailes, Juror #9
  • Ivanno Jeremiah (Humans) as Tahir Takana, Juror #3
  • Branka Katić (Public Enemies) as Kristina Bamford, Juror #1
  • Aqib Khan (West is West) as Rashid Jarwar, Juror # 7
  • John Lynch (The Fall) as Alan Lane, the accused
  • Steven Mackintosh (Care) as Paul Brierly, Juror #2
  • Jodhi May (The Amazing Mrs Pritchard) as Katherine Bulmore, Juror #8
  • Rory McCann (Game of Thrones) as Derek Hatch, Juror #6
  • Ronald Pickup (Fortunes of War) as Jeffrey Livingstone, Juror #10
  • Natalie Press (Five Daughters) as Lucy Cartwright, Juror #11
  • Anne Reid (Coronation Street) as June Brierly, Paul's ill mother.
  • Meera Syal (The Split) as the headteacher at Katherine’s school.

How can I watch The Jury?

You can watch both series of The Jury now on ITVX.

Is there a trailer for The Jury?

Yes, you can watch the trailer for The Jury below:

Is The Jury any good?

editorial use only mandatory credit: photo by itv/shutterstock (1535535bv) julie walters as emma watts qc. the jury tv programme nov 2011 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.
ITV/Shutterstock

Yes, it’s an absorbing and well-acted legal drama featuring a host of standout stars. Fans have praised the series for its realistic portrayal of the British judicial process and its deep dive into the personal trials of jurors.

What other legal dramas can I watch now?

two individuals in winter coats standing in a urban setting with architectural features
Channel 4

For a series that's stood the test of time, we'd recommend Damages. Glenn Close is superb as ruthless litigator Patty Hewes (Close) whose protégée Ellen Parsons (Rose Byrne) becomes her rival. Damages is available to watch now on ITVX. Another great series is Presumed Innocent. Jake Gyllenhaal plays Rusty Sabich, a Chicago prosecutor accused of murdering his colleague and lover, Carolyn Polhemus (Renate Reinsve). But is he actually guilty? Presumed Innocent is available to watch on Apple TV+. For more legal dramas you can watch now, check out our pick of the very best here.