All is not well on the good ship Broadchurch it would seem. Aside from shedding 1.5 million viewers from the opening episode of the second series, the ITV drama is now getting a cross examination from the legal profession. The Times reports that lawyers have taken to Twitter to raise objections about things such as improbable gaps between not guilty pleas and trials starting (should be months, not weeks, they reckon), free parking outside courts and unrealistic courtroom scenes where legal arguments take place in front of the jury and whatnot.
A QC tweeted: “Broadchurch ruined for me by totally unrealistic courtroom scenes. Very annoying for lawyers watching such twaddle.” Another questioned the demographics, saying it was unlikely there would be two female barristers as well as a female judge. Sad, but probably true.
ITV, however, is pleading not guilty. A spokeswoman said: “The scripts for Broadchurch are thoroughly researched and we take legal advice. However, as happens with television drama, creative decisions are taken to heighten the dramatic effect.” The defence rests, M’lud.
