Highly anticipated new ITV drama Protection, featuring Happy Valley’s Siobhan Finneran, is set to premiere this weekend. The six-part series, penned by White House Farm writer Kris Mrksa, delves into the murky world of witness protection and what transpires when the system fails.
The show draws inspiration from a real-life witness protection officer who also served as a consultant during its production. Protection boasts an impressive cast comprising familiar faces from British television and emerging talents.
Here’s everything you need to know about Protection, including the full plot, cast, TV airing dates and episode release schedule.
What is the plot of ITV’s Protection?
New ITV show focuses on a witness protection officer’s first-hand experiences and what happens when the system breaks down. (Image: ITV)
Protection centres on the first-hand experiences of a witness protection officer and the fallout when the system collapses. Detective Inspector Liz Nyles finds herself embroiled in such a breach, her personal life compromised due to an affair with a colleague.
Despite this, she remains resolute in her quest to expose the corruption within her unit. Nyles is driven to vindicate herself, salvage her lover’s reputation, and ensure the safety of her witnesses.
The synopsis from ITV adds: “Navigating the morally-grey, clandestine world of witness protection, Liz’s mission to find the truth will take her deep into the heart of the criminal underbelly and beyond as she becomes more and more torn between caring for her family, her loyalty to her lover and her duty as a police officer.
“This is the story of a smart, tough cop, out of her depth in a world where nothing is as it seems.”
Upcoming new ITV drama Protection is led by Happy Valley actress Siobhan Finneran who plays Detective Inspector Liz Nyles (Image: ITV)
Protection, created and penned by renowned screenwriter Kris Mrksa, was produced by the award-winning production company, New Pictures (Des, The Missing, The Long Shadow, Dalgliesh), part of All3Media.
Filming took place between July and September 2023 in the north-west of England, with locations including Birkenhead, Runcorn, and Liverpool.
When is Protection released on ITV1 and ITVX?
New six-part drama Protection airs on ITV1 on Sunday, March 16. (Image: ITV)
The six-part drama, each episode running for approximately an hour, will premiere at 9pm on Sunday, March 16 on ITV1 and ITVX. The second episode will air at 9pm on Monday, March 17 on ITV1.
All episodes will be available on ITVX from Sunday, March 16.
Who is in the cast of Protection?
Siobhan Finneran, known for her roles in Happy Valley and Downton Abbey, leads the cast as DI Nyles. Former actress Katherine Kelly plays DCI Hannah Wheatley, having previously appeared in other ITV crime dramas such as The Long Shadow and Innocent.
The ensemble cast also includes Barry Ward (Bad Sisters), Chaneil Kular (Sex Education), David Hayman (Sid and Nancy), Nichola Burley (The Gold) and Akiya Henry (Silent Witness).