What began as a one-off adaptation of the UK thriller Criminal Justice has evolved into a successful franchise for JioHotstar (formerly Disney+ Hotstar). Although the original British series ran for only two seasons, the Indian production arm of BBC Studios, Applause Entertainment, has developed original stories centered around Pankaj Tripathi’s character, Madhav Mishra.
In this installment, Mishra defends a surgeon accused of murdering his girlfriend and must go up against not one, but two determined lawyers to prove his client’s innocence.
The story’s construction is relatively simple, but the way the screenplay is written constantly keeps you second-guessing who the actual killer might be and what their true motives are. While the series isn’t technically a whodunnit, it plays out like one, which helps maintain engagement throughout. The emotional beats the writers aimed for land effectively, and the audience is likely to feel empathy for all the main characters. Though the pacing dips in places, the series never feels sluggish and finds a good rhythm in its second half.
Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub and Surveen Chawla are excellent as the lead couple, delivering strong performances in their respective roles. Pankaj Tripathi continues to impress as Madhav Mishra, bringing depth and consistency to the character. The rest of the ensemble cast performs well in their supporting roles, contributing to a well-rounded narrative that leaves viewers feeling connected to the characters and their motivations.
Overall, Criminal Justice: A Family Matter is an engaging family drama infused with elements of thriller and courtroom drama, and it works quite well. The series premieres on JioHotstar on May 29, 2025.
Rating: 3.25/5
2 replies
Loading new replies...
Join the full discussion at the OnlyTech Forums →