Series synopsis
Kavanagh Q.C. is a British crime drama television series that premiered on ITV1 on January 3, 1995. It ended on March 29, 1999. It was created by Ted Childs, Susan Rogers. It stars John Thaw, Dougray Scott, Richard Johnson and Peter Firth.
John Thaw dons the silks as barrister James Kavanagh Q.C., one of the most highly respected criminal advocates in London, commanding admiration from colleagues and opponents alike. However, all this has come at a price as his dedication to work has taken its toll on his private life…
Going beyond traditional courtroom dramas, “Kavanagh Q.C.” uncovers the pressures of legal battles and the problems of defining the truth, providing a compelling representation of the euphoric ups and costly downs ...
Premise
John Thaw dons the silks as barrister James Kavanagh Q.C., one of the most highly respected criminal advocates in London, commanding admiration from colleagues and opponents alike. However, all this has come at a price as his dedication to work has taken its toll on his private life…
Going beyond traditional courtroom dramas, “Kavanagh Q.C.” uncovers the pressures of legal battles and the problems of defining the truth, providing a compelling representation of the euphoric ups and costly downs of success and failure in the legal world.
Cast and characters
Leading cast
- John Thaw as James Kavanagh Q.C.
- Dougray Scott as Terry Fisher
- Richard Johnson as Lord Justice Fenwick
- Peter Firth as Charlie Beck
- Lena Headey as Natasha Jackson
- Jon Glover as Quizmaster
- Haydn Gwynne as Mary Armstrong QC
- Annabel Mullion as Martha Miller
Supporting cast
- Jonathan Adams as Karol Somper
- Oz Clarke as Sommelier
- Angela Down as Angela Beddoes
- Sarah Howe as Sarah
- Jenny Jules as Alex Wilson
- Rebecca Front as Cathy Winslow
- Teresa Churcher as Fern Lambert
- Mark Strong as Randall
- Julian Wadham as Giles Glazebrook QC
- John Shrapnel as Mr. Justice Griffin
- Jesse Birdsall as Des Carter
- Paul Brooke as Richard Dynevor
Guest cast
- Dougray Scott as Terry Fisher
- Richard Johnson as Lord Justice Fenwick
- Peter Firth as Charlie Beck
- Lena Headey as Natasha Jackson
- Jon Glover as Quizmaster
- Haydn Gwynne as Mary Armstrong QC
- Annabel Mullion as Martha Miller
- Jonathan Adams as Karol Somper
- Oz Clarke as Sommelier
- Angela Down as Angela Beddoes
- Sarah Howe as Sarah
- Jenny Jules as Alex Wilson
Episodes
This series spans 6 seasons with 27 episodes.
| Season | Episodes | First aired | Last aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 0 | 1 | April 25, 2001 | April 25, 2001 |
| Season 1 | 4 | January 3, 1995 | January 24, 1995 |
| Season 2 | 6 | February 26, 1996 | April 2, 1996 |
| Season 3 | 6 | March 3, 1997 | April 14, 1997 |
| Season 4 | 6 | March 17, 1998 | April 21, 1998 |
| Season 5 | 4 | March 8, 1999 | March 29, 1999 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
The End of Law Kavanagh gets the once-in-a-lifetime chance to become a High Court judge - but there are strings attached. |
April 25, 2001 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Nothing But the Truth Kavanagh is called upon to defend an alleged rapist, David Armstrong, a young labourer accused of attacking the housewife he works for in her home. |
January 3, 1995 |
| 2 |
Heartland Kavanagh is asked to prosecute an ex-police officer turned vigilante when he is the driver of a car which hits a teenager. |
January 10, 1995 |
| 3 |
A Family Affair Kavanagh represents a determined father in a bitter custody battle, but finds himself having to persuade the eager dad not to take matters into his own hands after learning of his previous kidnappings. |
January 17, 1995 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
True Commitment The daughter of a wealthy Jewish businessman and her boyfriend plan to murder a member of the neo-Nazi opposition. They are successful in killing a 17-year-old skinhead at a demonstration, yet when Mark, the boyfriend, is arrested, he claims the killing was an accident. Meanwhile, the Kavanagh's home life is abruptly ruffled by the news that Kate, an undergraduate at Cambridge, is having an affair with her married tutor. |
February 26, 1996 |
| 2 |
Men of Substance Kavanagh is forced to replace the prosecutor who suffers a heart attack while on a Customs case involving the importation of drugs from Holland. |
March 4, 1996 |
| 3 |
The Burning Deck Kavanagh represents the son of a Vice Admiral charged with arson. Despite his best efforts, the court finds Kavanagh's client guilty. The truth of the matter, however, turns out to be more complex. Meanwhile, the Kavanagh children organize a surprise anniversary party for their parents |
March 11, 1996 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Mute of Malice Kavanagh defends a client who has become mute after announcing that he has killed his brother. |
March 3, 1997 |
| 2 |
Blood Money When surgeon Hilary Jameson successfully operates on a computer tycoon involved in a car accident, she has every reason to suppose he'll survive. Within a matter of minutes, however, the patient's wife learns that he is dead. What happened in that brief period? This is the problem Kavanagh must solve when he prosecutes on behalf of the widow. |
March 10, 1997 |
| 3 |
Ancient History Kavanagh prosecutes an apparently blameless family doctor in an unprecedented war crime trial. The court hears devastating testimony as victims of Nazi atrocities re-live their experiences in concentration camps, but it's left to a witness for the defence to reveal the final truth. |
March 17, 1997 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Memento Mori Kavanagh defends a doctor accused of murdering his wife. Although the prosecution has several witnesses who provide evidence, the accused maintains his innocence. After the verdict, however, Kavanagh learns of an ironic twist. |
March 17, 1998 |
| 2 |
Care in the Community Kavanagh heads to his hometown of Bolton to defend a man who, together with his partner, is accused of murdering their 14-month-old daughter. Kavanagh's tactics have to change however when it becomes clear that the young couple are telling quite different stories. |
March 24, 1998 |
| 3 |
Briefs Trooping Gaily Kavanagh defends a woman accused of killing her husband. Although she admits to killing him for repeatedly beating her, Kavanagh urges her not to admit it in court. Meanwhile,a colleague of Kavanagh's asks him to represent him before the Conduct Committee when he's accused of looking at the wrong brief. |
March 31, 1998 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Previous Convictions Twenty-two bystanders at a motor-cross race are killed when an RAF plane crashes into the crowd, and Kavanagh defends the radicalized young woman responsible. |
March 8, 1999 |
| 2 |
The More Loving One Kavanagh defends a convicted arsonist and former heroin junkie for blowing up his apartment and killing his addicted, pregnant girlfriend. |
March 15, 1999 |
| 3 |
Time of Need A junior minister at the Home Office decides to bring a case of malicious prosecution after she is cleared of indecent assault on a juvenile. But Kavanagh discovers that the truth is more extraordinary than he could ever have imagined and we will find out what really happen. |
March 22, 1999 |
Production
Release
| Original network/platform | ITV1 |
|---|---|
| First aired | January 3, 1995 |
| Last aired | March 29, 1999 |
| Runtime | 75 minutes |
| Status | ended |
| Schedule | Monday |