该剧是英剧《摩斯探长》的续篇,于2006-2015年在ITV播出,共九季33集,每集约90分钟,其中从2013年的第七季开始每集在ITV1首播时被拆分为上下两部分连续两周播出,然而在重播时以及在美国PBS电视台播出时依旧作为整集播出。该剧将背景设置在学术气息浓郁的牛津,剧中很多含有隐喻的诙谐对白在外国文学爱好者看来会别有趣味,同时延续摩斯系列侧重通过案件展示各色人生和命运悲剧的特色,凶手被揭露后通常会有一幕对手戏将矛盾推至高潮,尘埃落定后缓和而带有希望的片尾曲又形成鲜明映衬,让人感叹命运无常及人的渺小,同时又看到光明的希望。该剧多位编剧也曾参与ITV版大侦探波洛和马普尔小姐系列剧的改编。
分别讲述纽约市警察局局曼哈顿区第27警署警探破案和曼哈顿检察官起诉罪犯的故事。跟别的探案剧不同的是,法律与秩序很少有枪战追击火爆场面,也很少有高科技,更没有超人的英雄。警探们靠排查摸底一条街一条街的跑查案,检察官们靠在法庭内外一次一次的辩论谈判将坏人绳之于法。
James Purefoy stars as William Travers, a criminal barrister who is recovering from a traumatic series of events that have shaken his belief in the legal system. On the surface, Travers is a picture of success; an accomplished criminal barrister happily living with his wife (played by Dervla Kirwan) in rural Suffolk. However, Travers is still recovering from events in his past when he is drawn into a case that involves his old friend Martin Newall (Nathaniel Parker), who faces conspiracy and murder charges while at the same time being investigated by a vicious and vengeful detective DS Mark Wenborn (Creed Miles). The five-part series from acclaimed writer Anthony Horowitz (Collision, Foyle's War) is a story of friendship, conspiracy, betrayal and murder as well as a critical look at the way the legal system operates.