The Talented Mr Bungay

Mike Bungay QC represented many of this country's highest profile criminals with an enthusiam and flamboyance that earned him a reputation - and enemies. His turbulent personal and professional life are the subject of a new five- part TVNZ drama series, Dear Murderer. Bungay believed everyone accused of a crime deserved a defence - well, almost everyone - and took on cases no one else wanted to touch. Lynn Freeman talks to star Mark Mitchinson, who plays Mike Bungay, and to crack screenwriter John Banas, who adapted the book written by Mike Bungay's last wife, Ronda.