Everything We Know About Channel 4’s New Legal Crime Drama Pierre
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38 minutes ago
Here's how to stream the new show
Legal drama fans, ’tis the season for you. From Sky’s new buzzy divorce battle WAR to BBC’s similarly spicy divorce drama The Split Up, there’s no shortage of bickering barristers gracing our screens. But where these shows follow city-slicking solicitors handling hefty divorce cases, this latest legal drama from Channel 4 offers a much less glamorous look inside a life in the law.
Helmed by Homeland and Sherwood star David Harewood, Channel 4’s new crime drama Pierre centres around its titular lawyer (Pierre Jeffreys) – a duty solicitor based in West London. Trapped in a poorly-paid job, one day he discovers that one of his clients, a young, black man named Michael, has died under suspicious circumstances.
David Harewood as Pierre © Channel 4
Balancing his career ambitions with his moral compass and strained personal life, he commits himself to seeking out the truth, and achieving justice for the young man. But as he challenges the police’s portrayal of Michael as a criminal, he begins to unravel a web of institutional corruption. ‘When you come at the system,’ reads the synopsis, ‘the system comes at you.’
Written by show creators Roy Williams and John Donnelly, the gritty six-part series promises a microscopic look at the racism embedded in the police force. Ollie Madden, the director of Film4 and Channel 4 drama, said of the new gripping thriller: ‘When we read Roy and John’s pilot for Pierre, we were immediately taken with its wit, humanity, and gripping, authentic storytelling. The nuanced characterisation jumped off the page, and we think the show heralds an iconic new character in Pierre. With David Harewood set to play that role, the deal was sealed. We couldn’t be more excited to be backing Roy, John, Hilary and David on this unique show.’
David Harewood as Pierre © Channel 4
As his character takes on the racism in the police force, Harewood shared that this corruption is something that he’s sadly all too familiar with. ‘I’ve got friends of mine who, when I spoke to them about the show, would say, “Oh, yeah, standard. Arrested, cells, a couple of digs, and then you’re released three or four hours later.” But it was endemic and systemic,’ he recalled to NME.
He added that this new lead role is the first time he has ever been given a black character which enabled him to ‘open his wings’. He told Radio Times: ‘The script allowed me to play a full human being. He’s a husband, he’s funny and he’s a best mate. In the early stages of my career you just weren’t allowed the chance to play all facets of a character […] And that huge thanks to both Roy and John for bringing this character. I’ve finally got to play such a rich character.’
Pierre © Channel 4
In order to help get into the role, David spent time with duty solicitors, who are often on call all hours and dealing with people at police stations who otherwise wouldn’t get legal help. Harewood said: ‘They’re protecting people and trying to make sure the law works for everyone, rather than just those who can afford expensive lawyers. That’s something that is important to Pierre. He’s become successful, but he hasn’t forgotten where he came from.’
Watch The Trailer
Who Stars?
Alongside David Harewood, the series also stars The Bill’s Michele Austin as joint managing partner, Boiling Point’s Jason Flemyng as Pierre’s best friend DS Ronnie Miller, London’s Burning‘s Sara Powell as his wife Celeste played alongside Game of Thrones‘ Dean-Charles Chapman, What’s Love Got to Do With It?’s Nikkita Chadha, EastEnders‘ Christopher Fairbank, and The Midwich Cuckoos‘ Cherrelle Skeech.
How To Watch
Pierre premieres on Monday, October 5, at 9pm on Channel 4. The full series will be available to binge after the first episode ends.
