The Escape Artist

2014 • PBS
4.7
61 reviews
TV-14
Rating
Eligible
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Season 1 episodes (4)

1 Episode One
6/15/14
Season-only
From PBS and Masterpiece - Will Burton, a talented junior barrister of peerless intellect and winning charm, specialises in spiriting people out of tight legal corners, hence his nickname -- The Escape Artist. Much to the aggravation of his courtroom rival, Maggie Gardner, Will is in high demand, as he has never lost a case. But when Will's talents acquit Liam Foyle, who is standing trial for an horrific and high-profile murder, that courtroom brilliance comes back to bite him. Foyle walks free, but he is a serial killer. His next victim is only a matter of time. And, sure enough, he kills again
2 Episode Two
6/22/14
Season-only
From PBS and Masterpiece - Liam Foyle is back in the dock and Will Burton's courtroom nemesis, Maggie Gardner, is leading his defense. After years in Will's shadow, Maggie is out to prove a point and will stop at nothing to win. With no meaningful physical evidence, Will's chambers need all the help they can get to guarantee Foyle's prosecution. But their most brilliant legal brain is unable to help, as Will is the key witness in the trial. Will must find a way to bolster the prosecution's case without jeopardising the veracity of the trial, as Foyle continues to terrorise those close to Will.
3 Episode Three
6/22/14
Season-only
From PBS and Masterpiece - Maggie and Will go to even greater lengths to win the case, finding themselves ever closer to the dangerous and cunning Liam Foyle. Will is faced with the sickening prospect that Foyle may walk free. The bloody and thrilling conclusion to The Escape Artist asks the question what happens when law has been practiced but no justice served? We see Will reject the profession that has sustained him all his adult life and seek the ultimate justice. But can he get away with it?
101 Interview with David Tennant
6/14/14
Season-only
From PBS and Masterpiece - Actor David Tennant speaks about his role as Will Burton in The Escape Artist.

About this show

From PBS and Masterpiece - David Tennant (Doctor Who) stars as Will Burton, a talented junior barrister of peerless intellect and winning charm, who specializes in spiriting people out of tight legal corners, hence his nickname--The Escape Artist. Ashley Jensen (Ugly Betty) portrays Will's wife Kate, mother to his son Jamie and the rock of his world. Much to the aggravation of his courtroom rival, Maggie Gardner (Sophie Okonedo, Hotel Rwanda), Will is in high demand, as he has never lost a case. But when Will's talents acquit Liam Foyle (Toby Kebbell, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes), who is standing trial for a horrific and high-profile murder, that courtroom brilliance comes back to bite him. Foyle walks free on a technicality, but he is a serial killer and it is only a matter of time until he kills again. Will must confront his primal instincts as this thriller pushes his legal world far beyond an intellectual exercise.

Ratings and reviews

4.7
61 reviews
Patrick Calfee
July 16, 2014
Over the top at times, in many ways I am sorry I watched it. I like Tennant and he did a good job, but there were too many times I was called upon to suspend disbelief. Oh yeah - and the captions do not work
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deborah elliott
December 16, 2021
Very interesting and it holds your interest. The acting is very good with excellent performances. I really like the way that the slippery aspect of jurisprudence is emphasized. I detest defense attorneys who defend reprehensible people. I liked the ending.
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Laura Stahl
June 25, 2014
I can't imagine anyone being disappointed with this show. It's another fabulous crime drama...engrossing and emotional!
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