Judge Romesh

Lore & Background

The show was commissioned by UKTV on 23 January 2018 for ten half-hour episodes. The first series aired between 8 August and 5 September 2018, with 34 cases filmed over three days at Pinewood Studios. Three cases involved celebrities—Shaun Ryder and Bez, Antony Costa and Duncan James, and Stevi Ritchie and Chloe Jasmine—while the rest featured members of the public. The courtroom set was inspired by British courtrooms and Hollywood films, and shooting was done with five cameras in 360 degrees before a live audience.

Reader's Guide

Judge Romesh received mixed critical reception, with comparisons to Judge Rinder, Judge Judy, and The Jeremy Kyle Show. Positive reviews noted Ranganathan's comedic fit as a grumpy, intolerant judge and Tom Davis's strong presence, while negative reviews criticized the short case length and a mean-spirited tone. The show reached 3.7 million viewers in its first series. A second series of twelve episodes began on 22 May 2019, with Jessica Knappett replacing Kerry Howard as clerk. The programme demonstrates a blend of reality television and mockery without exploitation, according to some reviewers.

Did You Know?

• The show is unscripted and features members of the public as claimants and defendants.
• Romesh Ranganathan did no legal research before filming, judging based on instincts.
• Five extra cases titled 'Judge Romesh: Justice Never Sleeps' were released on UKTV Play.
• The courtroom set was inspired by both British courtrooms and Hollywood films.