Showtrial returned to the BBC, delivering a new standalone series starring Michael Socha and Adeel Akhtar that has dazzled viewers with its first episode.

In the new season a high-profile climate activist is fatally injured a hit and run, and in his dying moments identifies his killer as serving policeman Justin Mitchell (Socha). As the case goes to trial Mitchell is defended by anxious solicitor Sam Malik (Akhtar) while lawyer Leila Hassoun-Kenny (Nathalie Armin) is handling the case against the accused.

Viewers were particularly impressed with Socha's performance as the cocky Justin Mitchell, remarking how the series finally gives the This is England star the "time to shine". Many people shared their thoughts on social media, namely the platform X.

One person hailed Socha, and wrote: "I know more high profile names get banded about & that Stephen Graham is generally considered our best actor but Michael Socha has great charisma, a good look & is always brilliant. Next James Bond."

Another also said: "Michael Socha is great in this -- between his performance and the always brilliant Adeel Akhtar it's more than enough to keep me watching". While one person wrote: "Michael Socha has been a top actor ever since he appeared in This is England all those years ago."

There was one person who was particularly impressed by Socha, as they added: "Glad Michael Socha gets his chance as a leading actor in this, he's a great actor and it's his time to shine."

Other viewers were delighted by what they had seen so far, with one sharing how much more impressive it was: "S2 EP1 of #Showtrial is so well written and so much better than S1 (so far) It really evokes thoughts and empathy on both sides of the argument! Nobody does drama like the British!"

While one viewer lamented how the series was being made available immediately on BBC iPlayer as well as airing weekly, as they wrote: "I wish the series wasn't available to stream I miss a great tv show that you have to wait for until next week to see #ShowTrial".

Socha found playing Justin an intriguing proposition, saying before the show came out: "The joy of playing Justin comes with his ambiguity, and you never really know what he's thinking. There's a lot of behind-the-lines intentions with Justin, and reasons behind his bravado.

"Ultimately Justin is a damaged character who is really struggling. He sees Sam, Adeel's character, as going through a similar sort of thing, but handling it in a very truthful, raw and vulnerable manner -- which Justin isn't capable of."

He added: "Because our director Julia Ford comes from an acting background, she let me run riot with Justin, and I felt in real safe hands with her. I've got to say this is one of my favourite jobs I've done so far, and the cast that I worked with are top notch."