Silk (2011 2014) A six-part series about life at the Bar, the dilemmas and problems that modern day barristers have to face, and what it means to become a silk. `Silk' follows the lives of barristers on the front line of criminal law. Martha Costello is a passionate defence barrister who faces challenging cases and surprising clients, which test her faith in the criminal justice system. Gifted Clive Reader, one of Martha's colleagues, is called to the bar with her. Martha and Clive's pupils are Nick Slade and Niamh Cranitch, respectively. But only one of the pupils can eventually be taken on as a member of chambers.