Counsel Clip 1 Great Hall

Short extract from Counsel, broadcast 15 April 2019 on BBC One NI.
Full episode available on BBC iPlayer https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m0004bh4/counsel

An alpha female barrister complicates her professional and personal life when she takes on a young client.

Olivia, played by Valene Kane (The Fall, Thirteen, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story), has it all: a powerful career as a senior barrister specialising in family law and a husband in the running for Lord Chief Justice played by Declan Conlon (Any Time Now, Calvary). But Olivia is growing tired of playing second fiddle to her husband Malcolm’s career. When Malcolm’s loyalty and integrity are questioned, Olivia finds herself drawing closer to her 18-year-old client Gareth Fleming, played by newcomer Adam Gillian.

Eighteen year old Gareth’s mother died when he was 15. He finds himself in difficulty when his private school threatens to suspend him as a result of missed fees after his father suffers a stroke. Olivia becomes involved with Gareth’s case to petition the school and insurance company to pay his school fees. As the relationship between Olivia and Gareth deepens - we witness what happens when these two worlds collide.

Counsel is one of two new dramas commissioned for the New Perspectives drama initiative. Written, produced and filmed in Northern Ireland these dramas portray and represent Northern Ireland on screen in new ways, nurture and develop new talent both on screen and behind-the-scenes and continue to support the local creative sector.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9075898/

Writer: David Allen (debut)
Director: Declan Recks
Producer: Julie Gardner
Executive Producers: Justin Binding & Amanda Verlaque

Cast
Olivia: Valene Kane
Sir Malcolm: Declan Conlon
Gareth: Adam Gillian
Kaye: Joanne Crawford
Gavin Simms: Chris Robinson
Ciara Connolly: Ruby Campbell
Judge Gerry: Niall Cusack
Mr Richards: Patrick FitzSymons
Mr McAuley: Mark Asante