Sundance Now Acquires Dramas “The Suspect” and “Showtrial” from ITV Studios

AMC Networks streaming platform Sundance Now has acquired two premium dramas from ITV Studios: The Suspect and Showtrial. Both series will premiere exclusively on Sundance Now and AMC+ in the USA later this year. Sundance Now will also be the exclusive home for The Suspect in Canada.

The Suspect is the five-part tense thriller based on the bestselling novel by acclaimed crime writer Michael Robotham, starring Aidan Turner (Poldark, Leonardo, The Hobbit Trilogy). Gripping courtroom drama Showtrial tells the story of a murder trial that captivates the nation, placing victim and accused – as well as their families – at the heart of a media storm.

Last year, the top three most-watched dramas in the UK were all produced by award-winning World Productions, part of ITV Studios. The finale of Line of Duty Series 6 became the most-watched episode of any drama since modern records began in 2002, while submarine thriller Vigil became the BBC’s highest-rated new drama launch since 2018 and The Pembrokeshire Murders was the biggest new drama launch on ITV since 2006.

Rob Kaplan, Senior Vice President Sales, US & Global Accounts, ITV Studios, said: “We are delighted to announce this content deal with our partners at Sundance Now. World Productions has been producing some of the best and most successful British dramas of recent years and it is great to see The Suspect and Showtrial also traveling to wider audiences around the globe.”

Shannon Cooper, Vice President, Programming, Sundance Now, said: “We’re delighted to grow our relationship with ITV Studios with these sought-after titles packed with riveting storylines, breath-taking performances, and top-quality production.”

The Suspect sees Aidan Turner playing Joseph ‘Joe’ O’Loughlin, who appears to have a perfect life – a beautiful wife, a loving daughter, and a successful career as a clinical psychologist. But nothing can be taken for granted. Even the most flawless existence is only a loose thread away from unravelling. All it takes is a murdered girl, a troubled young patient, and the biggest lie of his life. Caught in an increasingly complex web of deceit, Joe risks everything as he embarks upon a search for a killer that will take him into the darkest recesses of the human mind. It is written by Peter Berry (Gangs of London), directed by James Strong (Vanity Fair, Broadchurch), and also stars Bafta nominee Shaun Parkes (Small Axe, Lost in Space), Sian Clifford (Quiz, Fleabag), Camilla Beeput (Save Me (Too), Peep Show) and Adam James (Vigil, Doctor Foster).

Showtrial tells the story of a murder trial that grips the nation. High Street Criminal Solicitor Cleo Roberts is called on to represent Talitha Campbell, the estranged daughter of a wealthy property developer, arrested in connection with the disappearance of fellow student Hannah Ellis. When Talitha is charged with murder, she refuses her father’s help and calls on Cleo to lead her defense against a prosecution weaponizing gender and social privilege against her. From arrest to verdict, Cleo vies with the prosecution to convince us of the truth about Talitha: Damaged scapegoat? Or callous killer?

Written and created by Ben Richards (The Tunnel, Strike, Cobra) and directed by Zara Hayes (Dian Fossey: Secrets in the Mist), the drama stars Tracy Ifeachor (Treadstone, Quantico, The Originals) Celine Buckens (Bridgerton, Warrior, Free Rein) and James Frain (Star Trek: Discovery, True Detective, Gotham).