The Brief is a British crime drama series first broadcast on ITV on 25 April 2004. The series follows the work of defence barrister Henry Farmer (Alan Davies), whose complicated personal life manages to overlap into his work. Other stars in the series include Linda Bassett, Christopher Fulford and Cherie Lunghi. After critical acclaim and strong viewing figures for the first series of four episodes, a second series was commissioned, which began transmission on 7 October 2005.

However, the second series did not achieve the same viewing figures as the first; and following rumblings of the possible return of Jonathan Creek, Davies quit the role and a third series was not commissioned. However, both series were subsequently released in a double DVD box set on 27 April 2009, and were digitally released via the ITV store on 14 February 2016.