BBC Scotland has commenced production on “The Brief,” a six-part legal thriller set against the backdrop of Glasgow’s criminal defence community. Filming began this week in the Merchant City, with production crews transforming Brunswick Street into the fictional setting for what BBC executives are calling their most ambitious Scottish drama since “Shetland.”
The series stars Karen Gillan, returning to Scottish television for the first time since her Doctor Who breakthrough, as a brilliant but troubled defence solicitor navigating moral ambiguity and institutional corruption. Supporting cast includes Peter Mullan, Ashley Jensen, and rising Scottish talent Ncuti Gatwa in what promises to be a showcase for Scottish acting excellence.
I visited the set yesterday and witnessed the scale of the production firsthand. Dozens of crew members worked to set up complex lighting rigs and camera equipment, whilst costume and makeup departments prepared extras for crowd scenes. The attention to period detail is meticulous, with the show set in 2024 requiring careful management to avoid anachronistic elements creeping into frame.
Show creator Moira Buffini, known for her work on “Harlots” and “The Dig,” spent six months researching Glasgow’s legal community to ensure authenticity. She shadowed defence solicitors, interviewed former criminals, and observed court proceedings to capture the rhythm and language of Scottish criminal law. The result, she promises, will be “gritty realism married to compelling storytelling.”
The economic impact of the production is significant for Glasgow. BBC Scotland estimates the six-month shoot will inject approximately £4.5 million into the local economy through employment, accommodation, catering, and location fees. Local businesses in the Merchant City have reported increased trade from crew members, whilst several Glasgow-based production companies have won contracts to supply services.
Scottish screen industry advocates view “The Brief” as evidence that high-quality drama can be produced entirely in Scotland without defaulting to London-based production. Screen Scotland, the national screen agency, provided development funding for the series and has championed it as proof of Scotland’s production capacity and creative talent pool.
However, the production has not been without controversy. Some residents of the Merchant City have complained about disruption from filming, including street closures, parking restrictions, and noise from generators running through the night. Glasgow City Council has received 34 formal complaints since filming began, though this represents a small fraction of the area’s population.
The decision to set the drama in Glasgow rather than Edinburgh is deliberate. Buffini felt that Glasgow’s grittier reputation and stronger working-class cultural identity better served the show’s themes of economic inequality and institutional failure. Edinburgh, with its associations with establishment power and legal tradition, would have created a very different tonal atmosphere.
Filming will continue through June, with studio work at BBC Scotland’s Pacific Quay facilities scheduled for July and August. Post-production will take approximately four months, meaning the series is unlikely to air before early 2027. However, BBC executives are sufficiently confident in the material that they’ve already greenlit development on a potential second series.
For Karen Gillan, the role represents a homecoming both professionally and personally. She grew up in Inverness but has been based in Los Angeles for over a decade pursuing Hollywood work. “The Brief” allowed her to return to Scotland, work with a Scottish crew, and tell a distinctly Scottish story. In interviews, she’s described it as one of the most fulfilling projects of her career.
Whether “The Brief” can achieve the cultural penetration of previous BBC Scotland dramas like “Shetland” or “Guilt” remains to be seen. What’s certain is that Scottish television drama is experiencing a creative renaissance, with increased investment, better writing, and world-class talent combining to produce work that can compete on the international stage.