91Èȱ¬

Robert Pugh (Doctor Who, West Is West) and Gary Mavers (Casualty, Peak Practice) are to star in a new 91Èȱ¬ One Daytime drama, Justice, which begins filming in Liverpool this week.

They are joined by Gillian Kearney (Casualty, Shameless) and Jake Abraham (Holby City, Lock Stock), in this compelling series which transmits in Spring 2011.

Justice also stars Christine Tremarco (Moving On), Jodie Comer (Holby City), Ellie Paskell (Waterloo Road), Carolin Stoltz (Emmerdale), Tom Georgeson (Bleak House), and Derek Barr (Casualty).

The drama follows the story of a fictional local community justice centre and its mysterious judge, Patrick Coburn (Robert Pugh), seen by the community as either a liberal lefty or a power-crazed despot. Established senior probation officer Joe Gateacre (Gary Mavers) is his right-hand man. With his connections and tough reputation, he is instrumental in getting the local community to trust the Judge.

Gillian Kearney plays Louise Scanlon, a bright, local reporter, keen to make a name for herself and uncover the truth behind the Judge's secret past. Jake Abraham plays Jake Little, a small-time, well-connected career criminal.

Each episode of the five-part drama follows a changing line-up of guest stories at the centre, tackling issues from kerb crawling to shoplifting. But the Judge and his revolutionary centre are also under threat from within. The judicial establishment see the centre as a money drain and want their power back – will the Judge and his team be able to keep the wolves at bay?

Liam Keelan, Controller of 91Èȱ¬ Daytime, says: "Our new fictional drama, which is part of our week-long focus on the UK criminal justice system, reinforces 91Èȱ¬ Daytime's ambition to bring more unique homegrown drama to the schedules following on from recent successes such as Moving On and The Indian Doctor."

Justice (5x45) is due to broadcast in Spring 2011 and is made by LA Productions for the 91Èȱ¬. Liam Keelan is the executive producer for the 91Èȱ¬, and Colin McKeown is executive producer for LA Productions.

The drama, which takes inspiration from the work of the North Liverpool Community Justice Centre, is written by up-and-coming writing talent.

Alongside Justice, 91Èȱ¬ Daytime will show Neighbourhood Blues, a new observational documentary series following the work of a new taskforce tasked with tackling the enduring problem of housing estate crime.

Neighbourhood Blues is also due for transmission in Spring 2011 and is a Raw Cut Television production for the 91Èȱ¬. The executive producer for the 91Èȱ¬ is Pam Cavannagh and Steve Warr is executive producer for Raw Cut.

CM4