Protection is a brand new ITV1 drama, coming soon. Here’s everything we know about the thrilling new series…
Siobhan Finneran (known for Happy Valley, Downton Abbey, and Time) stars as DI Liz Nyles, a police officer navigating the high-pressure world of Witness Protection in this gripping new drama. Liz juggles the life-and-death stakes of her job with the challenges of a demanding family life, balancing the needs of a teenage daughter, a difficult ex, and a father recovering from a stroke. Known for her strong principles and dedication, Liz has always put others first—but her world is about to unravel in dramatic fashion.
At the heart of her professional responsibilities is the protection of high-risk witnesses, including criminal-turned-informant Jimmy McLennan (Kris Hitchen, The Long Shadow, Four Lives, Trigger Point). Jimmy is preparing to testify against his former boss, Eddie Crowther (Alec Newman, Karen Pirie, The Last Kingdom), the head of a notorious organized crime syndicate that has long evaded justice. Liz works tirelessly with her colleague DS Raj Kohli (Chaneil Kular, Sex Education, Bodies) to keep Jimmy and his family hidden and secure.
However, Liz’s personal life is far from straightforward. Despite her usual selflessness, she has embarked on a risky and ill-advised affair with a married, junior colleague, DS Paul Brandice (Barry Ward, Bad Sisters, The Capture). This secret relationship soon casts a shadow over her integrity when a devastating incident at work leads to allegations of corruption within her unit. Rumors swirl that someone has been leaking information to organized crime, and Liz is horrified to suspect that her lover, Brandice, may be manipulating her for sinister purposes.
As a police team led by the formidable DCI Hannah Wheatley (Katherine Kelly, Mr Bates vs The Post Office, Criminal, The Long Shadow) investigates the breach, Liz launches her own unauthorized inquiry. At the same time, she faces scrutiny from the unyielding DCI Amanda Kelma (Nadine Marshall, Champion, Sherwood, Trigger Point) from Professional Standards, tasked with rooting out corruption in her team. The tension within the force escalates as Liz delves deeper into her covert investigation, all while trying to evade the watchful eyes of her colleagues.
The deeper Liz digs, the darker the possibilities she uncovers—not just about Brandice, but about her team and the wider police force. As she chases down leads she shouldn’t have access to, Liz begins to cross ethical boundaries she never thought she would, putting herself and those she loves in increasing danger.
Caught between her role as a single mother, her loyalty to her lover, and her duty to her witnesses, Liz is torn in multiple directions. Her quest for the truth draws her into a shadowy world of competing organizations, secret agendas, and perilous rivalries. With danger inching closer to home, Liz is left questioning who she can truly trust.
This intense series promises a thrilling exploration of duty, betrayal, and the lengths one woman will go to protect what matters most.
Discover more from The Version
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.