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When a man is accused of murdering his partner, his only defence is claiming it was a case of assisted suicide. But was it really an act of love or a cold-blooded murder?

Brand new hard-hitting topical drama for ´óÏó´«Ã½ One Daytime, The Case, explores the high-pressured life in and out of court as barrister Sol Ridley and his junior, Julie Prior, defend Tony Powell against a murder charge.

Commissioned by ´óÏó´«Ã½ Daytime Controller Liam Keelan, the new series has been written by David Allison and is being made by Liverpool-based production company Lime Pictures. It will be filmed across the North West with locations in Liverpool and Manchester.

Speaking about the new commission Liam Keelan says: "A topical legal thriller, The Case promises to be compulsive viewing for our audiences. I hope this new series helps reiterate ´óÏó´«Ã½ Daytime's commitment to bring more unique British drama – in the same vein as The Indian Doctor, Moving On, Missing and Land Girls – to our schedules."

Carolyn Reynolds, Executive Producer at Lime Pictures, comments: "Lime Pictures are delighted to be working with ´óÏó´«Ã½ Daytime on The Case. This series will take a controversial, talked-about subject and create a compelling drama about a barrister fighting for the truth."

Tony admits that he assisted his terminally ill partner, Saskia, to commit suicide, but he vigorously denies murdering her. A letter, apparently from Saskia, confirms this, but a video tape Tony insists they made together has never been found.

Saskia's ex-husband Neil and son Josh are convinced Tony killed Saskia, but daughter Mel is less certain. Tony's love for Saskia seems genuine and heartfelt, as does his anguish at being asked to help her die. But Sol finds him a difficult defendant and is convinced he's holding something back.

Written by David Allison, The Case is a Lime Pictures (5 x 45 minutes) production for the ´óÏó´«Ã½. The executive producer for Lime Pictures is Carolyn Reynolds. For the ´óÏó´«Ã½ the executive producer is Gerard Melling.

The drama will transmit on ´óÏó´«Ã½ One Daytime in autumn 2011.

LG