Pierre on Channel 4: Start date confirmed for David Harewood's new legal drama about 'chilling' police corruption
The London duty solicitor "unravels a chilling web of institutional corruption"
Pierre is a brand new legal drama on Channel 4 which sees the always brilliant David Harewood play a charming and conscientious London duty solicitor.
However, when a client is brutally murdered, he begins to investigate. Pierre subsequently unravels “a chilling web of institutional corruption”.
Like the current ITV hit The Blame, and previous dramas such as After the Flood, and Line of Duty, Pierre asks a terrifying question. What happens if you cannot trust the people in power? Those who are paid to protect you.
The major new legal drama Pierre lands on Channel 4 in the coming days, so here’s everything you need to know, including plot, start date, locations, and cast.
What is Pierre on Channel 4 about?
The legal drama will introduce London duty solicitor Pierre, described as “charming and funny”. Like us all, he’s juggling the pressures of his job, a fragile personal life, and keeping his head above water financially.
A “powerhouse” at work, Pierre takes on a complex case when he meets his new client, Michael. Police have arrested the young black man for stealing his aunt’s car. But he claims the police officer who arrested him was bigoted and corrupt.
When Michael later turns up dead, Pierre investigates the suspicious death. And it tests every ounce of his resilience. Channel 4 tells us: “As Pierre challenges the police’s portrayal of his young client as a criminal, he unravels a chilling web of institutional corruption…”
He soon discovers that “when you come at the system, the system comes at you”.
Who is in the cast?
The Channel 4 legal drama will introduce David Harewood, 60, as Pierre. Of course, viewers will know the Birmingham-born actor for both comedy and drama. Some of his meatier roles including David Estes in Homeland, Dalaga in The Agency, and Denis Bottomley in Sherwood.
Talking about the role, David said: “I’m extremely delighted to be taking the title role in Pierre. He’s such a wonderfully well-painted character, beautifully crafted by Roy and John. And I cannot wait to get into his shoes. He is bright, flawed, and passionate about his work and I’m really hoping audiences find him as appealing as I do on the page.”
This Is Going to Hurt’s Michele Austin plays Charlotte Manners, Pierre’s joint managing partner of their solicitors’ firm.
Trigger point’s Jason Flemyng portrays Pierre’s best friend DS Ronnie Miller. The drama series will introduce newcomers Dylan Ennis as Eli Jeffreys, and Ezrae Maye as Michael.
Also joining the ensemble cast is:
- Game of Thrones’ Dean-Charles Chapman as Danny Headman.
- Hijack’s Nikkita Chadha as Alecia Khan.
- Andor’s Christopher Fairbank as Sean Lambert.
- Holby Blue’s Sara Powell as Celeste Jeffreys, Pierre’s wife.
- Hanna’s Cherrelle Skeete as Brenda Dean.
- Tom Rhys Harries as the suspicious copper.
How many episodes is it?
Pierre is a six episode original drama for Channel 4. Each episode will also feature individual legal stories with unexpected twists that push Pierre and his team to their limits.
It is co-written by BAFTA-winning screenwriter Roy Williams OBE (Fallout), and BAFTA-nominated writer John Donnelly (Utopia).
Talking about the series, the co-writers said: “Duty solicitors are the unsung heroes of the legal profession. Overworked, underpaid. They can be called out anytime, never knowing who or what lies in store for them. They are full of stories. It’s a thrill to tell them.”
Where was Pierre filmed?
Pierre is set in London. And that is exactly where cast and crew filmed earlier this year. Specifically West London.
Don’t expect the high society side of Notting Hill, Holland Park, and Kensington, though. This is very much based in the grittier areas.
When is the start date of Channel 4 drama Pierre?
Channel 4’s new legal drama Pierre will start on Monday, October 05, 2026 at 9pm.
It will land as a boxset on Channel4.com that same day.
