Episodes
| Episode | Title | First Broadcast | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Birkett And The Blind Soldier | 20120103 | By Caroline and David Stafford. 1 of 4 A blind WW1 veteran, accused of murdering his wife, is defended by Norman Birkett, the most celebrated advocate of the inter-war years. 1 of 4 Norman Birkett.....Neil Dudgeon Billie.....Bonnie Engstrom Edgar.....Alun Raglan Lady Pearson.....Adjoa Andoh Arthur.....Carl Prekopp MacCormac.....Paul Moriarty Frazer/Warder.....Adam Billington Humphreys.....James Lailey Sgt Waller.....Gerard McDermott Randall/Clerk..... Rikki Lawton Grace/Margaret.....Alex Rivers Woman.....Victoria Inez Hardy The casebook of Norman Birkett KC (1883-1962) covers pretty much every story that entertained the readers of News of the World between the wars. Birkett was a busy man who, in those days before legal specialisation, could at any one time be dealing simultaneously with a juicy murder, a society divorce or a livid libel action. The four stories in this series cover some of Birkett's most famous cases, including the dramatic trial of Buck Ruxton, the doctor accused of murdering and dismembering his wife and maid; the scandalous Dennistoun affair; and the very peculiar events surrounding the mysterious cyclist Ronald Light. In many ways, these stories represent an abridged history of those inter-war years and reflect, in their parade of moral confusions, hypocrisies, panics and vanities, our own not dissimilar age. A blind WWI veteran is accused of murdering his wife. |
| 02 | Birkett And The Green Bicycle | 20120110 | By Caroline and David Stafford. 2/ 4 A story of murder, pacifism and chocolate taken from the casebook of Norman Birkett, the most celebrated advocate of the inter-war years. Norman Birkett...Neil Dudgeon Billie...Bonnie Engstrom Edgar...Alun Raglan Sir Edward...Nicholas Jones Cadbury...James Lailey Cox/Enoch...Adam Billington Judge...Gerard McDermott Lily/Muriel...Francine Chamberlain Ronald...Christopher Webster Graham...Simon Bubb. A story of murder, pacifism and chocolate taken from the casebook of Norman Birkett. |
| 03 | Birkett And The Red Stains On The Carpet | 20120117 | By Caroline and David Stafford. 3/4 Norman Birkett, the most celebrated advocate of the inter-war years, defends a doctor accused of murdering and dismembering his wife and maid. Norman Birkett.....Neil Dudgeon Billie.....Bonnie Engstrom Edgar.....Alun Raglan Jackson.....Adam Billington Buck Ruxton.....Sagar Arya Shaw.....Gerard McDermott Glaister.....James Lailey Bennett.....Rikki Lawton Alfred.....Christopher Webster Susan/Gracie.....Victoria Inez Hardy Mary.....Alex Rivers. Birkett defends a doctor accused of murdering and dismembering his wife and maid. |
| 04 | Birkett And The Naked Toreador | 20120124 | By Caroline and David Stafford. 4/4 Blackmail, snobbery, scandal and bullfighting. Norman Birkett, the most celebrated advocate of the inter-war years, takes on his most famous case. 4/4 Norman Birkett.....Neil Dudgeon Billie.....Bonnie Engstrom Edgar.....Alun Raglan Lady Caernarvon.....Joanna Monro Sir Edward.....Nicholas Jones Dennistoun.....Carl Prekopp Mlle Cina.....Victoria Inez Hardy Dorothy.....Adjoa Andoh. Blackmail, snobbery, scandal and bullfighting. Birkett takes on his most famous case. |