It is law and order with a heavy helping of dry sarcasm in this new comedy series from Cuckoo writer Kieron Quirke, which follows an idealistic trainee barrister as he has his career motives put to the test by his cynical pupil master Caroline (Katherine Parkinson). This week, infidelity is in the air - should Will come clean?

A welcome fresh outing for Will Sharpe, now vouchsafed his own star vehicle. Defending the Guilty is, at first sight, a slightly flimsy paint-by-numbers legal comedy, with all that normally entails - gentle humour, misunderstandings, pious frettings over diversity. Its game is raised by a modicum of sharp writing and some glorious comedy performances, chiefly from Sharpe and Katherine Parkinson, and I'm a reluctant convert thanks to some decent surprises.

Defending the Guilty review

Legal shows tend to be either unbearably earnest or wretchedly cynical, but this sitcom embraces the silliness of a serious world - and really steps up to the bar.

Defending the Guilty, review

Tired jokes and one-dimensional characters don't help this legal comedy win its case.

Katherine Parkinson interview

The IT Crowd and Humans star, who plays a criminal barrister in new BBC2 sitcom Defending The Guilty, talks to Charlotte Cripps about work and home life balance as a mum.

TV review: Defending The Guilty

Given the Supreme Court deliberations are dominating the news today, this is either the best or worst day to launch a comedy about lawyers.

Defending the Guilty: overstuffed with stereotypes

A new adaptation of Alex McBride's memoir is not quite as funny as it thinks it is.

Defending the Guilty review

New legal comedy struggles to get off the ground.

Katherine Parkinson relished playing unlikeable lawyer

Katherine Parkinson has said it was refreshing playing an unlikeable character in legal comedy Defending The Guilty, and that being "utterly horrific" came easily.