The Jury: Murder Trial review – reality TV so gobsmacking it beat The Traitors to a Bafta

This reconstruction of a real-life case – with participants role-playing jurors – is truly illuminatingEver since The Traitors proved Britain still has a raging appetite for the kind of middlebrow social experiment-style reality shows that fuse irresistibly bananas interpersonal drama with compelling psychological insight – the Medjool date to Love Island and co’s Haribo Starmix, if you will – the TV industry has been pumping out fun yet relatively classy formats. Some have been fine (The Fortune Hotel), some mystifying (The Genius Game; Destination X), some too derivative (Million Dollar Secret) and some are yet to disappoint: persuasion-based gameshow The Inheritance, featuring Elizabeth Hurley, arrives imminently on Channel 4.Really, though, the only show currently holding a candle to The Traitors is The Jury: Murder Trial (indeed, in May, they competed for the best reality Bafta; the latter won). Following two groups of 12 strangers as they play jury during a word-for-word reconstruction of a real criminal trial, the 2024 series shone a light on the enigma at the heart of the justice system. Jury deliberations are top secret, meaning lawyers, judges and academics have little understanding of how jurors digest evidence, draw individual conclusions or – crucially – arrive at a unanimous decision. Continue reading...

Comments

Culture

The Repair Shop viewers left tearful as couple discover secret message from late son

Independent

Comments

Culture

The Repair Shop viewers left tearful as couple discover secret message from late son

Angela Scanlon says ‘creepy’ guest asked her inappropriate question seconds before live interview

EastEnders star returns to BBC series 22 years after official exit

‘I am devastated and furious’: 12 actors controversially recast in films

SNL’s Devon Walker calls show ‘sometimes toxic as hell’ as he announces exit

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are ‘crazy about each other’ – NFL star’s father

Billie Eilish launches signature Uno deck with Mattel

Blind date takes shocking filthy turn minutes in: ‘Is he being creepy?’

David Mitchell says the term ‘mansplaining’ is unfair

‘I found my daughter’s body after she was murdered – I couldn’t let her killer get away with it’

This ‘unreleasable’ new horror film is a kitsch bloodbath for the sickos

With Love, Meghan season 2 review – Watching this is like being gaslit by a multimillionaire

Lightyear should have been a dire warning to Disney – and no, Snoop Dogg, not because of its gay kiss

Meghan Markle reacts to awkward Suits moment on her new Netflix show

Woody Allen responds after Ukraine slams director for appearing at Russian film festival: ‘Disgrace and insult’

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce engaged – live: Meghan, William and Kate, and Trump lead reactions to engagement news

King & Conqueror review – Battle of Hastings drama is almost unwatchably dark

The Roses review – Olivia Colman and Benedict Cumberbatch are relentlessly entertaining

I’m a film critic at Venice 2025 – I can’t wait for these 10 movies

Trump, a vocal Taylor Swift critic, reacts to her engagement with Travis Kelce

Kpop Demon Hunters becomes Netflix's most viewed film ever

'I immediately freaked out' - Taylor Swift's engagement sends fans into frenzy

Former Weeki Wachee Mermaids return to the springs as seniors

‘Alien: Earth’ Season 1, Episode 4 Recap: In Sheep’s Clothing

This Couple Predicted Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s Relationship 5 Years Ago

The Repair Shop viewers left ‘in tears’ after heartbreaking episode

Channel 4 viewers ‘driven bonkers’ over biased social experiment show

Some young people ditching dating apps and opting for old-fashioned alternatives

Jenny Slate shares a memory she'd like to relive

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s Relationship Timeline and Big Moments

Passage to India is a surprisingly moving Yorkshire Vet special

The Jury: Murder Trial could change our legal system forever

Perrie Edwards proudly shows off scar in new single teaser video

Taylor and Travis are engaged. Congrats, America.

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce: Timeline of events leading to couple’s engagement

Artwork looted by Nazis 80 years ago spotted in estate agent ad

Teen avoids jail over plot to attack Taylor Swift Vienna concert

NEA cancels decades-long creative writing fellowship

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are in their engagement era

Stream These 8 Movies and TV Shows Before They Leave Netflix in September

Ousted Maestro Charged in Child Sex Abuse Imagery Case

Trump, who has not been shy about his dislike of Taylor Swift, reacts to Travis Kelce engagement

Meghan Markle’s shameless PR stunt with David Chang is disgusting

It’s a Love Story: Taylor Swift announces engagement to NFL star Travis Kelce

Elton John says Steve Wright helped him get first solo UK number one single

AI "deadbots" are persuasive — and researchers say, they're primed for monetization

A Soundtrack for the End of Summer (Cruel or Not)

Yes, Meghan Markle is naff and neurotic – but at least she knows it

Lil Nas X breaks silence after naked police altercation and jail stint

Taylor Swift announces engagement to NFL star Travis Kelce

Caught Stealing review: even Bad Bunny can’t save Darren Aronofsky’s crime caper dud

Teenager convicted for supporting Taylor Swift terror plot

Taylor Swift announces engagement to boyfriend Travis Kelce

Strictly Come Dancing star arrested on suspicion of rape

Bruce Willis' wife Emma says he is in 'great health' but 'brain is failing'

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce announce engagement

TV Actor abused two girls at party, trial told

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce Are Engaged, Singer Announces

Lil Nas X Pleads Not Guilty to Four Felony Charges

Meghan Markle reacts to Netflix show guest’s subtle Suits shade