Stars of The Crown and Downton Abbey to make Welsh courtroom drama

The Crown's Erin Richards and Downton Abbey actor Tom Cullen are set to take the lead in a new legal crime series centred around life at Newport's magistrates court. Written by Hannah Daniel, a star of Keeping Faith and Holby City, alongside Georgia Lee, the new six-part series will be shot in both English and Welsh.

Called Mudtown, the courtoom drama will air on Alibi in 2025, and will follow experienced magistrate Claire Lewis Jones as she faces personal turmoil while presiding over cases at Newport Magistrates Court. A synopsis reads: "When Ned Humphries, a childhood friend of Beca, Claire's daughter, faces arson charges, Claire's loyalty to her community is put to the test.

"Matters are made worse when local criminal kingpin Saint Pete appears on the scene. Claire and Saint Pete go back a long way - will her past come back to threaten her present? As she delves deeper into the case, and suspicions grow around her daughter's new bad-boy boyfriend, Sonny Higgins, Claire uncovers a web of criminal activity that could put her and her family at risk.

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"As the truth emerges and consequences unfold, Claire must confront her own biases and decisions. The lines between right and wrong become blurred, leaving Claire in muddy waters as her maternal instincts clash with her commitment to uphold the law."

Also starring in the drama alongside Erin and Tom is Matthew Gravelle (Broadchurch, Steeltown Murders) as Alun Lewis Jones, Lauren Morais (The Red King) as Beca Lewis Jones, Lloyd Meredith (The Red King, Gran Turismo) as Sonny Higgins, Kimberley Nixon (The Salisbury Poisonings, Life and Death in the Warehouse) as Sara Humphries, Sion Pritchard (Pila Pala, The Indian Doctor) as Davey Johns and Ifan Huw Dafydd (The Light in the Hall, Requiem) as Owen Williams.

Writers Hannah and Georgia said: "We are thrilled at the opportunity to represent the untold world of the magistrate's court, shot through with an authentic South Walian spirit. We couldn't be more excited about bringing the characters and this thrilling story to the screen with such strong partners." You can keep up to date with the latest TV and showbiz news by signing up to the newsletter here.