The Twelve (2022)

What is The Twelve About?

The Twelve is structured as an anthology series but with a unique twist: there’s a new trial, a new set of jurors, and a new set of characters in every season. However, the show’s core concept remains the same—the lives, biases, and secrets of twelve jurors as they deliberate over a serious criminal case. The only character present in every season is defence barrister Brett Colby, played by Sam Neill.

The Twelve Season 1 (2022)

The first season revolves around a high-profile murder case of a woman accused of killing her niece. The story dives into the lives of the jurors as much as the accused.

The Twelve Season 2 (2024)

The second season follows a First Nations artist accused of killing a fellow community member. The Twelve’s second instalment has themes tied to land, heritage, and rural identity.

The Twelve Season 3 (2025)

In the third season titled “The Twelve: Cape Rock Killer”, Brett Colby’s already complicated professional and personal life will encounter another turmoil when the husband of a life-long friend is accused of murder. Deepening the mystery, “a 1968 cold case murder of two teens is re-opened”, radically changing the lives of the twelve jurors sworn in for the trial.

Crew Spotlights

• Sharon Johal played the first Khalsa female lead on Australian television in The Twelve Season 2. Prior to this, she was known for her groundbreaking role in the long-running soap opera Neighbours.
• The Twelve Season 2, Episode 1 is dedicated in memory of actor Keith Robinson. Series 2 was his final screen credit before his death in early 2024.
• Lead star Sam Neill also serves as an executive producer on the show.
• The Twelve writer and executive producer Sarah Walker was a writer in the long-running soap opera Home and Away, from 2000 to 2018.

Fun Facts

• The Twelve is based on the Belgian series De twaalf, created by by Sanne Nuyens and Bert Van Dael.
• Filmed in the Wheatbelt, The Twelve Season 2 was the highest budget production ever to be filmed entirely in Western Australia. It was also the first series to start the WA Production Attraction Incentive.
• The Twelve Season 3 continues this partnership, so it will be expected to deliver $10 million to the local economy. This also means 21 weeks of continuous employment for production crews and 14 weeks for on-set crews.
• The Australian series has been sold to multiple territories around the world, including the UK.
• The original Belgian series centred on a schoolteacher being tried for the murders of her best friend and her own daughter.

Awards and Nominations

The Twelve Season 1 was highly acclaimed in Australia, receiving 10 nominations and winning three AACTA Awards in 2022, including Best Miniseries. It was also the most nominated drama series at the 63rd TV Week Logie Awards winning three TV Week Logie Awards, including Most Outstanding Drama. Meanwhile, Sam Neill was nominated for Best Lead Actor in a Drama at the 2025 AACTA Awards. He instead won Best Lead Actor in a Drama at the 2025 Logie Awards.