'Brilliant' courtroom drama The Twelve starring the late Sam Neill is currently available to stream for free now: 'You won't guess who's guilty'
The award-winning drama sees Sam Neill at his finest
Sam Neill fans will be feeling pretty heartbroken right now, so it’s a good time to indulge in his most recent TV drama The Twelve.
The award-winning actor has died at the age of 78. His family announced the tragic loss today with a shared statement. It read: “It is with immense sadness that the whānau [extended family] of Sam Neill share the news of his passing on Monday 13th July, in Sydney, Australia. Sam was surrounded by family and passed with the dignity that has characterised his whole life.”
His death was “sudden and unexpected” just three years after being diagnosed with “a ferocious type of aggressive” non-Hodgkin lymphoma. However, at the time of his death, he was cancer free. His family has not shared his cause of death.
Sam Neill is known as one of New-Zealand’s best known actors. But he was actually born in Omagh, County Tyrone in Northern Ireland. Famous for his roles in Jurassic Park, The Piano, and Peaky Blinders, his acclaimed courtroom drama is currently available to stream for free right now.
Sam Neill courtroom drama The Twelve on ITV
Actor Sam Neill made his name in blockbuster films including Dead Calm, The Hunt for Red October, and the Jurassic Park franchise. He was also famed for his roles in art film The Piano, comedy drama Hunt for the Wilderpeople, and even Marvel’s Thor: Ragnarok.
His versatile career also saw him appear in some acclaimed TV series. While most people will remember his vicious Belfast copper Inspector Chester Campbell in Peaky Blinders, there may be some who haven’t yet watch the Australian award-winning courtroom drama The Twelve.
The Twelve first landed in 2022, and was quickly recommissioned for another two series. This is undoubtedly due to Sam Neill’s brilliant performance as Brett Colby QC. It’s a role he ended up portraying for three years until 2025.
Similarly to the UK’s excellent Julie Walters drama The Jury, The Twelve focuses on the “twelve ordinary people” who must make a crucial life-changing decision during a courtroom trial.
They bringing with them their own histories and lives that are “as complex as the trial, full of fractured dreams, shameful secrets, hope, fears, personal trauma and prejudice”.
The Twelve is based on the Belgian series De Twaalf, created by Bert Van Dael and Sanne Nuyens.
How many series of The Twelve are there?
There are three series of The Twelve. The first season aired in 2023 and focused on Kate Lawson’s lengthy trial. The chosen jury follows the sensational case of Kate’s missing 14-year-old niece, Claire Spears, who is presumed murdered. When the jurors meet for the first time, it’s clear this is a diverse group, who bring their own problems to the table…
Series 2 arrived in 2024. This time, The Twelve took place in Western Australia, to the rural township of Tunkwell – a world away from the urban city landscapes of season one. The jury hear the evidence surrounding the death of landowner, Bernice Price. She was found dead at the bottom of her farm well, and her two ex-lovers stand accused of her murder…
Series 3, entitled The Twelve: Cape Rock Killer, followed in 2025. In the eight-parter, Sam Neill returned as Brett Colby SC for a new murder mystery with links to a decades-old cold case.
Viewers see Colby pulled into a deeply personal case when he is asked to defend the husband of a lifelong friend, who has been accused of a shocking murder.
How to watch The Twelve?
The Twelve series 1 to 3 are currently available to watch on ITVX. Series 1 is 10 episodes long and available to stream here.
Viewers can watch series 2, which is eight episodes, here.
Meanwhile, the third and final series of the Sam Neill courtroom drama, which is also eight episodes, can be seen here.
Reviews for The Twelve
While critics were a bit snobby about The Twelve, that didn’t stop fans loving it. Many reviews, such as those on Decider, praise how the series turns courtroom tropes inside out by showing the messy, human side of the jury.
The Guardian noted the strong ensemble cast, but suggested the pacing can sometimes feel laboured or overly sensational.
Meanwhile, The Telegraph accused the Aussie courtroom drama of being “guilty of cliché” although praised Sam Neill for being “characteristically great”.
Fans loved the character-driven drama, however, with some comparing it to the Mare of Eastown. One said: “This show is brilliant and riveting, honestly the best Australian drama limited series I’ve ever seen. Each episode brings up an OMG moment. Fantastic acting too, not just by the brilliant Sam Neill but absolutely everyone in the cast.”
Another said: “This show was super interesting, always something going on and never boring! It’s interesting to see everyone’s lives. You won’t guess who’s guilty.”
As for awards, it received six wins and 31 nominations total. In 2025, Sam Neill won a well-deserved
