Accused
This anthology series written by Jimmy McGovern follows various characters as they await a verdict on their trial and reflect on how they came to be accused. Each of the episodes follows a different central character, with Christopher Eccleston, Benjamin Smith, Juliet Stevenson, Olivia Colman, Sean Bean, Sheridan Smith and Anne-Marie Duff among the actors to step into the dock.
- 2010-2012
- 2 seasons
- Suspense, Drama
- TV-14
This anthology series written by Jimmy McGovern follows various characters as they await a verdict on their trial and reflect on how they came to be accused. Each of the episodes follows a different central character, with Christopher Eccleston, Benjamin Smith, Juliet Stevenson, Olivia Colman, Sean Bean, Sheridan Smith and Anne-Marie Duff among the actors to step into the dock.
Season 2 Episode Guide
4 Episodes 2012
Episode 1
Tracie's Story
59 mins
After a row with a drunken bigot, transvestite Simon gets into a taxi with Tony Baines. Tony is fascinated by Simon's alter ego, Tracie, and the two men begin an affair. Simon has feelings for Tony and is shocked to learn that he has lied about being married. Following a confrontation between the two men, Tony confesses all to his wife before telling Simon that he has left her and the pair set off to make a new life together. However Tony makes a terrifying admission as a result of which Tracie must come to the aid of Simon in court.
Episode 2
Mo's Story
59 mins
Mo Murray runs her hair salon with her friend Sue on an estate riven by gang violence. When Sue's son Sean is shot dead Mo spearheads a local group, Women Against Guns, advocating informing on drug dealers in the area. She is appalled to discover that her own son Jake shot Sean on behalf of the gang to which he belonged, but is dissuaded from giving him up by her mother, who helps her hide the gun. They plan to leave for Portsmouth but are arrested and appear in court, Mo's sentence being made the harsher by Sue's reaction.
Episode 3
Stephen's Story
59 mins
Peter Cartwright engages Charlotte, a nurse, to tend his dying wife Katherine. Several months after Katherine's death, he begins to date Charlotte, finally marrying her. His elder son, Stephen, 17, becomes obsessed with the idea that Charlotte killed his mother and is now trying to poison him. He hears voices from the television warning him, but he refuses to accept that he needs psychiatric help. Indeed when he goes on trial for trying to kill Charlotte, he clings to his story that it was self defence to prevent her from killing him and his younger brother.
Episode 4
Tina's Story
60 mins
Stephen Cartwright begins his sentence at an under-staffed young offender unit where his wing officer is Tina Dakin. She is concerned at his withdrawn attitude and unsuccessfully attempts to prevent him from killing himself. When his father comes to visit his son Tina is instructed to tell him that everything is alright until the cause of death is confirmed. She had relayed her anxiety about Stephen to senior officer Frank who, being under pressure, did nothing, and now she regrets being involved in what will be a cover-up. Peter, however, sees her as the principal person who lied to him. Feeling disgusted with a system which causes such misery she allows another inmate, Jake Murray, to escape - which leads to her own appearance as the accused.
