The Trial airs on Channel 5 soon and the network has described the hour-long drama as a "thought-provoking" and "chillingly plausible" special. Set in the near-future, there is a new law called Milligans Law which sees parents held legally responsible for the crimes of their children.
Raising unsettling questions about justice and exploring the limits of state control, the drama sees a mother and father held to account for their daughter's actions. As they appear in court, they could face incarceration for emotional and physical neglect.
The synopsis reads: "Set in the United Kingdom in the not too near future, The Trial follows Dione and David Sinclair, a couple thrust into a nightmarish legal battle when their teenage daughter, Teah, commits a serious crime. Under a radical new law, parents are no longer just bystanders in their children's actions they are directly accountable.
"They now face relentless interrogation as every aspect of their parenting, lifestyle, and past decisions are scrutinised. If found guilty, they could face life behind bars."
Paul Testar, commissioning editor for drama at the network, said: "This marks an exciting new direction in our drama slate, embracing one-off, high-impact storytelling that sparks conversation. We're excited to work with Adorable Media who have put together an exceptional team to tell this fascinating story."
When does The Trial start?
The Trial airs on Thursday, May 8 at 9pm on Channel 5 and it will also be available to stream on My5.
There is only one hour-long episode, as the drama is considered a one-off special.
Set in Britain in 2035, teenager Teah commits a grave crime and her parents Dione and David Sinclair find themselves at the centre of a harrowing legal ordeal.
Thrown into the clutches of the Office of Judicial Inquisition, a powerful new branch of the Ministry of Justice, they face prosecution as accessories to juvenile crimes.
Interrogated by Judicial Inquisitor Sarah Willis, a relentless enforcer of the law, no detail of their past is off-limits.
With no legal counsel Dione and David are left to defend themselves.
Who is in the cast of The Trial?
Claire Skinner and Ben Miles lead as Dione and David Sinclair, with Claire known for playing Sue Brockman in Outnumbered.
Ben has previously starred in Coupling as Patrick Maitland, and he played Montague Dartie in The Forsyte Saga.
The relentless and unyielding Sarah Willis is played by Saoirse-Monica Jackson, best known for her role as Erin Quinn in Derry Girls.
Jaz Hutchins (Canary Black, The Return) portrays Lieutenant Simons, while India Fowler (The Agency, Insomnia) plays troubled teenage daughter Teah Sinclair.
The Trial airs on Channel 5 on May 8
