The Brief Episode Guide

Episode Guide

The Brief: Season 2

• Season 2 Episode 4: The Architect's Wife

  After the collapse of a high-profile rape trial, Henry takes on a civil action against the defendant. He finds himself crossing swords in court with head of chambers Cleo once more, and to make matters worse she has taken on Millie as her junior - which means Henry has to find somewhere else to live. Last in series, starring Alan Davies and Cherie Lunghi

• Season 2 Episode 3: Forever on the Mind

  Henry puts in the performance of a lifetime in defence of a nurse accused of murdering an elderly patient. Despite damning testimony from an embittered colleague and the revelation that the victim altered his will in the defendant's favour two days before he died, the latterday Florence Nightingale is determined to take the stand. Guest starring Jennifer Ellison, with Alan Davies and Cherie Lunghi

• Season 2 Episode 2: Lack of Affect

  When a boy with Asperger's syndrome is accused of killing his own mother, Henry is called on to defend him. Pleading his innocence and unable to lie due to his condition, the boy's case seems straightforward, but the case is complicated with rumours of an extramarital affair. Meanwhile, Cleo is struggling to come to terms with the breakdown of her own marriage. Courtroom drama, starring Alan Davies and Cherie Lunghi

• Season 2 Episode 1: Blame

  Henry finds himself single and temporarily homeless as he prepares to confront head of chambers Cleo Steyn in court. However, his luck seems to be changing as his new assistant proves to be a treasure and he seems to have backed a winner by calling his father, a Lord Justice of Appeal, to give evidence in the trial of a train driver accused of multiple manslaughter. Legal drama, starring Alan Davies and Cherie Lunghi

The Brief: Season 1 (2004)

• Season 1 Episode 4: A Sort of Love

  In the last programme of the series, Henry takes on the appeal of a convicted murderer involved in a bizarre sex triangle with his girlfriend and a younger man - a case which mirrors the barrister's own tangled love life, as his lover Polly finally leaves her husband. Meanwhile, Henry's father has information which brings him closer to Cleo in an unexpectedly personal way, and senior clerk Ray Scanlon is distraught when his new Ferrari is stolen from outside the chambers. Alan Davies, Cherie Lunghi and Zara Turner star, with guest appearances by Clive Merrison, Denise Black and Kate Buffery

• Season 1 Episode 3: Children

  Henry reluctantly agrees to prosecute a 12-year-old girl accused of murder, but underhand tactics by the devious defence barrister and doubts surrounding the innocence of his own child witnesses soon reveal the case is more complex than it first appeared. Meanwhile, the arrival of his son Zak from Australia threatens to throw his life into turmoil, and Cleo plots to have Senior Clerk Ray Scanlon ousted. Legal drama, starring Alan Davies, Cherie Lunghi and Stephen Moore

• Season 1 Episode 2: So Long, Samantha

  Henry finds himself accused of misconduct when he takes up the cause of a father convinced his daughter was raped and murdered at a party in the Far East, while an unexpected meeting with MP Gerry Graham puts a damper on his affair with the politician's wife Polly. And that is only the start of his troubles, as an unwise investment with a disreputable dealer recommended by his junior Ben threatens to have an adverse effect on his relationship with his father. Starring Alan Davies, Zara Turner and Will Knightley

• Season 1 Episode 1: The Road to Hell

  Four-part legal drama chronicling the career of barrister Henry Farmer, as he juggles work with managing hefty gambling debts and romancing a politician's wife. In the first instalment, Farmer puts his reputation on the line by agreeing to take on a murder trial, theft case and appeal at the same time. Starring Alan Davies, Zara Turner and Cherie Lunghi