Behind the facade of jury duty’s anonymity, twelve ordinary people bring with them their histories and lives, which can be as complex as the trial itself.
That’s the premise of The Twelve, the hit courtroom drama starring a trio of talented Kiwis led by national treasure Sir Sam Neill.
The star delivers a seasoned performance as a charismatic criminal defence lawyer in the Australian show, season two of which is streaming now on TVNZ+.
Seven Sharp’s Hilary Barry caught up with Neill to discuss what fans can expect from the show’s second outing.
Where are you at the moment, Sam?
“I’m in Downtown Vancouver working on a series for Netflix called Untamed with Eric Bana. I’m playing a park ranger, so I’ve got one of those Smokey Bear hats. That’s something to look forward to — me in a Smokey Bear hat.”
You seem well suited to the legal regalia you wear in The Twelve and at home in a court drama.
“The great thing about [The Twelve] is that it’s set in Western Australia, and they’ve dispensed with the silly [barrister’s] wig.
“I think in another life, [being a barrister] would have been my job. If I’d had the wherewithal, the brain and the concentration to pass the exams.”
Erroll Shand plays one of the accused. He always comes across as scary on screen. Is he a bit scary off-screen, too?
“I don’t know if Erroll is scary in real life, but at work, he’s quite scary because he’s one of those actors that’s in character all day, and he’s playing a really scary guy.
“There were times I’d go in the prison cell with Erroll, and I was a little apprehensive because [his character is] a guy capable of everything.
“The other terrific Kiwi in the cast is Josh McKenzie. He plays the kid who’s got a truck and his life is unravelling. He has a drug problem. He’s wonderful, too, and someone to keep an eye on.”
Have you ever been summoned to jury duty?
“No, they’ve been wise enough not to call me up. Perhaps I’ve got a bad mark against my name or something [saying] I’m not suitable for jury duty.”
How do you think you’d cope with being on a jury?
“It’s a big ask, and it’s a big responsibility. It’s always supposed to be twelve ordinary men and women, but there’s no such thing as an ordinary person – everyone has their own story and dramas in their own lives.”
“This series follows four or five of those stories. [Being on a jury] is a big responsibility, and I’m not big on responsibilities.
“I think there’s nothing perfect about a jury system, but I think it’s the best that we have.”
If, heaven forbid, you were charged with a serious crime, would you prefer a trial by jury or a trial by judge alone?
“In the very unlikely event that I was up on major charges, I’d probably think what I might have done. But no, that’s never going to happen.
“In the unlikely event that someone made a mistake, then I would have a jury for sure.”
The Twelve Season Two is now available to stream on TVNZ+
