Showtrial ending explained: Did Justin kill Marcus and what else happened in series 2?

Showtrial is currently airing on One as viewers determine whether a police officer murdered a climate change activist. The new five-part legal drama - which first aired in 2021 - features Sherwood star Akheel Aktar and is made by the producers of Line of Duty.

Showtrial’s second series begins with a high-profile activist, who’s left for dead after a violent hit-and-run, using his dying moments to identify a serving copper as his killer. When cocky officer Justin Mitchell (played by ) is arrested for the crime, anxious lawyer Sam takes on the headline-making case – and his long-time legal rival, prosecutor Leila Hassoun-Kenny (Nathalie Armin).

But what really happened in the series ending and was Justin found guilty of killing Marcus? This is what happened in the ending to series two of Showtrial.

Major spoilers to follow.

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Did Justin kill Marcus?

Justin did kill Marcus and ran him down with his car. He explained to Sam that he hated Marcus because his campaign group, Stop Climate Genocide, had previously blocked the motorway and Justin had attended a crash which occurred at the same time.

He watched a pregnant woman die and believed she was only on that road because of Marcus's actions. Justin also blamed his own mental health problems following his partner Sandra's miscarriage.

Justin was also encouraged to kill Marcus by his neighbour Patrick Norris. Justin revealed to Sam after the court case how Patrick hated Marcus because he was fined £1,000 for ignoring a tree preservation order.

Patrick loaned Justin money from gambling debts and told him the debt would be wiped out if he killed Marcus - but Justin feared what would happen to him and his partner had he failed.

After Justin knocked Marcus off his bike, he took the bike and his helmet and gave them to Patrick to deal with, while Sandra took the car to be repaired. Elena repaired the bike in case it was ever found.

What happened to Justin and was he convicted?

Sam sought to change Justin's charge to a lesser charge of manslaughter by way of diminished responsibility. His defence added the police knew Justin was mentally unwell, and failed to act after he missed multiple psychiatric appraisals.

As the jury was sent home for two weeks, Justin underwent multiple appraisals. Journalist Felix Owusu found that Elena Norris had purchased a new set of bike pedals which matched the one found in the lake.

The court heard this evidence, which swayed the jury's verdict to Justin being guilty of murder via 10-2 verdict. Justin was sentenced to a minimum term of 35 years in prison.

In a dark turn, Justin however told Sam he didn't intend to serve a single year of his sentence and may take his own life.

"A day, a week, a month tops. Justin Mitchell sets his own tariff."

What happened to Patrick Norris and is he in trouble?

After being implicated in the case, Patrick and Elena Norris fled the country before the police could get to them. They flew to Ecuador, with help from a known cocaine smuggler.

Justin refused to implicate him in Marcus's murder in any way, but DI Southgate said he would pursue Patrick. It is unclear if this plotline could be picked up at a third series .

Are Sam and their son now speaking again? What happened to Felix and other characters?

Journalist and blogger Felix was charged with contempt of court for his continued reporting around the trial and accusations and he will appear at a later date. Helen revealed to Leila she was Felix's source.

Leila started to rebuild her relationship with Tamara, after understanding that the grievance was not about refusing to house-sit, but instead about her repeated insistence they were half-sisters, not sisters.

She added to Sam their mother's health improved and she was planning to move to Canada for a teaching role.

The season ended with Sam's son Mani coming to visit him, and the pair heading off together to have a beer and discuss things - suggesting that they could mend their relationship and head towards a brighter future.