The BBC is being sued by a former Harley Street dentist turned scriptwriter over claims her ideas were used in Silent Witness plots.
The crime drama follows a team of talented forensic pathologists, led by Dr Nikki Alexander (Emilia Fox), who beat offices to solve grisly murders.
The long-running series, which started in 1996 and boasts more than 200 episodes, has become the subject of a court case.
Dr Donna Molavi, from Kensington, London, has launched proceedings against the Line of Duty broadcaster after alleging it stole her storylines for a double episode of Silent Witness.
The episodes in question were titled Betrayal and first aired in 2018, with Dr Molavi telling London’s High Court last week she felt ‘sick’ after watching them, according to the Mail Online.
Judge Mr Justice Marcus Smith heard that Dr Molavi developed a script between 2016 and 2018 titled London Dark Web about a forensic pathologist investigating a covered-up killing.
Documents, including one detailing the storyline and draft screenplays, were penned by Dr Molavi, who pitched the idea to ITV.
The Triggerpoint broadcaster did commission London Dark Web although it did not make it to screen, her barrister Martin Howe, said.
Howe said the plot was ‘distinctive and unusual in the context of forensic pathology series’ as it features ‘element of political intrigue and conspiracy.’
‘I immediately recognised plot elements and features that derived from my work,’ said Dr Molavi in her witness statement, claiming the similarities were ‘beyond coincidence.’
She has sued both the BBC and Silent Witness season 22 writer Virginia Gilbert, but both deny the accusations.
The broadcaster’s barrister Andrew Norris argued the case shouldn’t go to trial as there was no ‘possible route of access’ between the programme makers and Dr Molavi.
Norris said: ‘It’s a guess, she doesn’t know.’
Mr Justice Marcus Smith reserved his ruling on the application for a summary judgement until a later date.
Metro.co.uk has contacted the BBC and reps for Virginia Gilbert for comment
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