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Arts & Culture

Garrow's Law: Season Two

The cast from GARROW'S LAW featuring Andrew Buchan as Garrow (center). Based on actual legal cases from the late 18th century, this series is set in the Old Bailey of Georgian London against a backdrop of corruption and social injustice.
American Public Television
The cast from GARROW'S LAW featuring Andrew Buchan as Garrow (center). Based on actual legal cases from the late 18th century, this series is set in the Old Bailey of Georgian London against a backdrop of corruption and social injustice.

Airs Sunday, October 16, 2011 at 7 p.m. on KPBS TV

Andrew Buchan ("Cranford," "Party Animals"), Alun Armstrong ("New Tricks," "Little Dorrit") and Lyndsey Marshall ("Rome") star in GARROW'S LAW, inspired by the life of pioneering barrister William Garrow. Based on actual legal cases from the late 18th century, GARROW'S LAW is set in the Old Bailey of Georgian London against a backdrop of corruption and social injustice.

Each episode begins with the investigation of a case sourced from the Old Bailey archives — from rape and murder to high treason, and follows Garrow (Buchan) and his associate John Southouse (Armstrong) working to uncover the truth as they fight for justice.

Explore The Cases

Find out more about the real cases that inspired the series in the GARROW'S LAW blog.

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Andrew Buchan stars as pioneering 18th century barrister William Garrow in the series, GARROW'S LAW.
Courtesy of American Public Television
Andrew Buchan stars as pioneering 18th century barrister William Garrow in the series, GARROW'S LAW.

"The cases are fascinating. They are written very honestly and accurately, and are, dramatically speaking, very challenging to perform." - Andrew Buchan

Episode One, Season Two: William Garrow’s reputation for pioneering advocacy has intensified, but so too has his opposition to the legal and political establishment. A year has passed since we last saw him. His friend and mentor, the attorney John Southouse, is grappling with inner demons and Lady Sarah returns unexpectedly to London with her infant son, Samuel.

Southouse is approached by the Liverpool Assurance Company. They wish to prosecute for fraud the owners of a slave ship – the Zong – who have claimed for the value of 133 slaves who were thrown overboard on the grounds of "necessity" as water supplies became exhausted on board. There is a caveat: the Insurers want Southouse to deliver the famous Garrow to represent them in Court.

On the eve of the trial, Sarah is served with a writ for Separation by Bed and Board. It is from Sir Arthur Hill who means to destroy her. He will not grant her a divorce but instead intends to ruin her financially and socially. In turn, Sarah turns to Garrow for support and guidance.

Episode Two: Season Two: Georgian London is both fascinated and repelled by the case of Robert Jones – who is accused of sodomy. His trial at the Old Bailey triggers the most significant public debate of homosexuality until the arrest of Oscar Wilde over a hundred years later.

Meanwhile, Sir Arthur Hill’s writ for Criminal Conversation is already becoming well known in the corridors of the Old Bailey. Hill has employed a most cynical, clever and calculating attorney, James Farmer, to prove Garrow’s adulterous guilt - by any means, and despite its falsity.

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Episode Three: Season Two: Thomas Baillie, Lieutenant Governor of the Royal Hospital at Greenwich, has been charged with criminal libel. In a desperate letter Baillie has exposed a series of corrupt practices — Instead of providing beds for the sick and needy, the hospital has been filled with high officers of the Admiralty on the implied condition that they vote for Lord Sandwich.

In court, Garrow exposes a series of abuses perpetuated by Lord Sandwich and Baillie is found not guilty, but Sarah fears that the profile of the case will expose them to more vitriol and attack from her estranged and increasingly deranged husband.

Episode Four, Season Two: In this episode, Garrow finds himself in the dock defending his honor and his future. Silvester will defend Garrow in Court, suspending the old animosities. Of course, Silvester knows that a high-profile case will bring him into the spotlight. Secrets are unraveled in open court that brings shame on Lord Hill and vindication for Garrow.

Based on actual legal cases from the late 18th century, "Garrow's Law" is set in the Old Bailey of Georgian London against a backdrop of corruption and social injustice. Each episode begins with the investigation of a case sourced from the Old Bailey archives — from rape and murder to high treason, and follows Garrow (Buchan) and his associate John Southouse (Armstrong) working to uncover the truth as they fight for justice.
William Garrow: Fact and Fiction
Garrow’s Law Behind The Scenes