Jodie Whittaker to Play Media Lawyer in ITV Legal Drama IN CONTEMPT
Jodie Whittaker (Doctor Who, Attack the Block) has signed on to play a hotshot media lawyer in the ITV drama In Contempt. Ahead of her role in the Hulu pilot Chicks and a part in the London-set Only Murders in the Building Season 6, Whittaker will star in the “high-stakes” legal drama as barrister Olivia Savareid.
The character’s top-drawer advocacy skills have built her a career defending people’s reputations and engaging in multi-million pound litigation to prevent their names from being destroyed on social media, but the series will see the tables turned on her.
In Contempt establishes Olivia’s challenging working relationship with veteran news director Greg Dalman, who edits a London daily newspaper prone to pushing the boundaries of what can be published.
With a reputation for taking no prisoners, Greg has the capability of acting recklessly if he believes it’s in the public interest, and and as his legal counsel, Olivia, must summon all her skills and expertise to keep him out of libel court.
She is also the mother of 15-year-old daughter, but when an explosive situation erupts at work, she makes a crucial misjudgement and Olivia’s own reputation is suddenly on the line.
Steve Thompson (Sherlock) is the show’s writer, with Sue Vertue and Steven Moffat the executive producers. Ed Bazalgette (The Last Kingdom) is the director and Lawrence Till (Douglas is Cancelled) the producer. ITV’s Director of Drama, Polly Hill, who commissioned the show is also overseeing production for the broadcaster.
Sherlock and Dracula maker Hartswood Films is producing in association with its parent, ITV Studios (ITVS), with the show airing in the UK on ITV and STV and on streamers ITVX and STV Player.
via: Deadline