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A critically acclaimed programme that has unexpectedly returned for a second series has left viewers questioning the authenticity of what they're watching.

Jury Duty originally premiered in 2023, featuring an unusual concept. The initial description suggested it would offer audiences insight into what serving on a jury during an American trial entails.

It promised to chronicle the entire journey from juror selection through to their final deliberations on the case at hand.

Yet there was a substantial twist. Both critics and audiences responded favourably at the time, and now it's back with a fresh series titled Company Retreat , reports the Mirror.

On this occasion, it purportedly follows staff members of a small family-run enterprise as they participate in their yearly retreat during a crucial period for the company's trajectory.

The programme holds an overall score on website Rotten Tomatoes of 88%. This impressive figure stems partly from its strong first series achieving 84% and its second series rating even more favourably at 93%.

Circumstances in both series become progressively stranger as they unfold, prompting certain audience members to wonder whether it's genuine? Here's everything you need to understand.

Is Jury Duty series real?

Both series of Jury Duty can be classified as reality television, though only partially. Nevertheless, it might equally be described as part mockumentary, workplace comedy and even hidden camera programme.

The concept is outlined at the beginning of every episode. In the first series, it presents itself as a courtroom trial, while the second establishes a small firm's corporate retreat.

Yet nearly everyone participating is an actor. The legal proceedings are fabricated. The company featured in the retreat doesn't actually exist.

Consequently, the programme is predominantly fictional. Nevertheless, one individual in each instalment believes everything is entirely authentic. In the first series that person is juror Ronald Gladden. In the most recent version, that is Anthony Norman, who thinks he's been employed as a temporary assistant to the head of HR.

Neither of these participants are actors and are described by the production team as their 'hero'. While they remain unaware, each series positions them as the protagonist for its particular narrative.

Jury Duty was developed by Lee Eisenberg and Gene Stupnitsky. Eisenberg additionally created the programmes Lessons In Chemistry and Hello Ladies with Stephen Merchant. He also served as a writer for The Office and co-wrote the film Good Boys with Stupnitsky.

They've maintained a writing partnership throughout most of their professional lives, with Stupnitsky also scripting comedy film No Hard Feelings that featured Jennifer Lawrence.

The duo collaborated with a dozen additional writers, numerous whom feature in minor parts, alongside director Jake Szymanski to guarantee that every occurrence is written and carefully orchestrated.

While performers must improvise occasionally, they're conscious of narrative moments they must achieve regardless of the non-actor's involvement. Occasionally, they attempt to guide him into scenarios and decisions without his awareness, but whatever unfolds is fundamentally staged. Despite this, critics and the cast maintain that emotions become genuinely real.

As one reviewer expressed it: "You'll laugh, you'll cry, and you'll want to tightly hug all your colleagues by the time the season's through. Just make sure you clear it with HR first."

Alex Bonifer, who portrays Dougie Jr, in an exclusive conversation, maintained that despite the fabricated scenario, something can be gleaned from Anthony's actions he believed was authentic. He stated: "Every single person can learn from Anthony Norman and what he does [in the finale]. I felt so - and I will for the rest of my life - so honoured to be there at the end. Witnessing what he did, without giving anything away."

Jury Duty and Jury Duty Presents: Company Retreat is streaming on Prime Video.