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Entertainment • TV Show

Accused

Accused is the title of several television anthology drama series, most notably a 2023 American crime drama on Fox and a 2010 British BBC One series created by Jimmy McGovern.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Accused is the title of several television anthology drama series, most notably a 2023 American crime drama on Fox and a 2010 British BBC One series created by Jimmy McGovern. Each version centers on a defendant’s point of view and reveals the events leading to a court trial through flashbacks.

Overview

Accused is a television anthology concept used for multiple legal and crime dramas. The title most commonly refers to the British 2010 series and its 2023 American adaptation, both of which focus on defendants and the circumstances that led to trial.

British series

The 2010 British Accused aired on BBC One beginning 15 November 2010 and ran for two series. Created by Jimmy McGovern, it featured different central characters in each episode as their stories unfolded in court.

American series

The 2023 American Accused was developed by Howard Gordon and premiered on Fox on 22 January 2023. It is an anthology crime drama that presents each episode from the defendant’s viewpoint and is based on the British series.

Format and themes

Across versions, the series use flashbacks and courtroom framing to show how ordinary people become defendants. Episodes typically begin with the accused person already on trial, with the details of the alleged crime revealed gradually.

Key facts

  • Accused is a television anthology concept with multiple versions, notably a 2010 British series and a 2023 American series.
  • The British series was created by Jimmy McGovern and aired on BBC One from 2010 to 2012.
  • The American series, developed by Howard Gordon, premiered on Fox in January 2023.
  • Both series focus on the defendant’s perspective, using courtroom framing and flashbacks.
  • The American series is based on the British series of the same name and was renewed for a second season.
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Canadian context

The title has been available to Canadian viewers through international distribution and streaming platforms, but the series are primarily British and American productions rather than Canadian ones.

Frequently asked questions

What is Accused?
Accused is the title of several anthology television dramas, most notably a 2010 British series and a 2023 American series.
Who created the British version of Accused?
The British Accused was created by Jimmy McGovern.
Who developed the American version of Accused?
The American Accused was developed by Howard Gordon.
When did the American Accused premiere?
It premiered on Fox on 22 January 2023.
What is the basic format of Accused?
Each episode typically begins with a person in court and then reveals, through flashbacks, how that person ended up accused.
Is the American Accused based on another series?
Yes. It is based on the 2010 British series of the same name.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Accused_(2023_TV_series)
    Supports: American series development by Howard Gordon, Fox premiere date, premise, and renewal for a second season.
  2. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Accused_(2010_TV_series)
    Supports: British series creation by Jimmy McGovern, BBC One premiere date, two-series run, and episode format.
  3. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/accused_2022
    Supports: American series synopsis, genre, and premiere date.
  4. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/accused
    Supports: British series synopsis, creator, network, genre, and release date.