''The Brief'' is a British crime drama series first broadcast on

ITV ITV or iTV may refer to: ITV *Independent Television (ITV), a British television network, consisting of: ** ITV (TV network), a free-to-air national commercial television network covering the United Kingdom, the Isle of Man, and the Channel Islan ...

on 24 April 2004. The series follows the work of defence barrister Henry Farmer ( Alan Davies), whose complicated personal life manages to overlap into his work. Other stars in the series include

Linda Bassett Linda Bassett (born 4 February 1950) is an English actress. Her television credits include Victoria Wood's ''Dinnerladies (TV series), dinnerladies'' (1999), ''Lark Rise to Candleford (TV series), Lark Rise to Candleford'' (2008–11), ''Grandma' ...

, Christopher Fulford and Cherie Lunghi. After critical acclaim and strong viewing figures for the first series of four episodes, a second series was commissioned, which began transmission on 7 October 2005. However, the second series did not achieve the same viewing figures as the first; and following rumblings of the possible return of '' Jonathan Creek'', Davies quit the role and a third series was not commissioned. However, both series were subsequently released in a double DVD box set on 27 April 2009, and were digitally released via the ITV store on 14 February 2016.

Plot

''The Brief'' follows the work of defence barrister Henry Farmer ( Alan Davies), whose complicated personal life manages to overlap into his work. With an overbearing workload, debt and alimony payments to meet, as well as being in love with the wife of a prominent politician who won't leave her husband for him, Henry is forced to set his own demons to one side to tackle cases that only he can win. The show was described by the

Radio Times ''Radio Times'' (currently styled as ''RadioTimes'') is a British weekly listings magazine devoted to television and radio programme schedules, with other features such as interviews, film reviews and lifestyle items. Founded in May 1923 by J ...

as an "engaging blend of courtroom drama, suspense, intrigue and humour".

Cast

* Alan Davies as Henry Farmer QC * Steven Alvey as Paul Bracewell *

as Maureen Tyler * Christopher Fulford as Ray Scanlon * Cherie Lunghi as Cleo Steyn * Edward Petherbridge as Gillespie * Robert Whitelock as Ben Halliwell

Episode list

Series 1 (2004)

Series 2 (2005)

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Brief, The (2004 Tv series) 2000s British crime drama television series 2000s British legal television series 2004 British television series debuts 2005 British television series endings English-language television shows ITV television dramas Serial drama television series Television shows set in London