Brief

SBS’s ‘The Jury’ casts musician Tim in season two experiment

Tim, a 29‑year‑old former advertiser, became one of twelve jurors on SBS’s second season of The Jury, a scripted recreation of a real criminal trial.

By Felo News Desk · Published Sun, 04 Oct 2026 06:59:01 GMT

Tim, a 29‑year‑old musician who previously worked in advertising, agreed to join the second season of SBS’s reality‑court series The Jury after a friend at the broadcaster suggested he apply. He said he was "gobsmacked" by the experience, noting that he had just left rehab and was looking for something to fill his time.

The show follows a real, anonymised criminal case. A 1,700‑page transcript of the original trial was trimmed to a 500‑page script that mirrors the testimony closely. Twelve everyday Australians, including Tim, deliberate on the case and deliver a verdict, while a cast of sixteen actors reenacts the courtroom scenes.

Season two was shot over two weeks at Sydney’s 172‑year‑old Justice and Police Museum. Tim described the set as "as it would be if you were experiencing it in real life," adding that the presence of a court officer helped maintain authenticity. Legal consultant Simone Quinn, a solicitor with nearly three decades of practice, said the series offers a rare glimpse into the "completely secret and closeted" jury room, stressing the importance of confidentiality for proper justice.

The case this season centres on the disappearance of a woman whose remains were uncovered when a defendant’s former backyard was excavated for construction a decade later. Quinn called the case "particularly challenging" because the evidence was largely circumstantial, with no direct proof of a killing.

Tim reflected on how his own background shaped his deliberations. Having struggled with substance addiction, he said it heightened his empathy, though he admitted it also introduced bias. "My sense of empathy is almost the biggest bias that I brought into it," he told SBS.

Overall, Tim says the experiment has altered his view of juries. He now favours the European model where a judge or panel of judges decides guilt, contrasting it with the Australian jury system he experienced on the show.

Key facts

Tim, a 29‑year‑old former advertiser turned musician, joined SBS’s The Jury season two as one of twelve jurors. (smh.com.au)
The real trial transcript of 1,700 pages was condensed to a 500‑page script for the series. (smh.com.au)
Filming took place over two weeks at the 172‑year‑old Justice and Police Museum in Sydney. (smh.com.au)
Legal consultant Simone Quinn, a solicitor with nearly 30 years experience, said the series provides a unique insight into the secret jury room. (smh.com.au)
The season’s case involves a woman’s remains found during backyard construction a decade after her disappearance, with only circumstantial evidence. (smh.com.au)