The new ITV drama Protection features Line of Duty stars and Happy Valley icon Siobhan Finneran. The series, which will be released in full on ITVX on Sunday, March 16, follows DI Liz Nyles (Siobhan Finneran) as she investigates a family murder within the witness protection programme.
The crime sends shockwaves through the witness protection unit and casts doubt over its integrity, with allegations of corruption and ties to organised crime surfacing.
DI Liz Nyles finds herself questioning whether she has inadvertently compromised her position and faces immense pressure from the force’s anti-corruption unit.
Promising to be another top-notch drama on ITV 1, the first episode of Protection will air at 9pm on Sunday. show boasts a star-studded cast featuring familiar faces from , Mr Bates vs The Post Office, Trigger Point and more.
But who makes up this stellar cast?
Katherine Kelly as DCI Hannah Wheatley. (Image: ITV)
Who is in the cast of Protection?
Siobhan Finneran as DI Liz Nyles
DI Liz Nyles is a committed police officer working in witness protection, going above and beyond to ensure their safety. However, her affair with her married colleague DS Paul Brandice threatens to derail her career.
Siobhan Finneran is best known for her roles in Happy Valley, Benidorm, Rita, Sue and Bob Too, and The Reckoning.
Upcoming new ITV drama Protection is led by Happy Valley actress Siobhan Finneran who plays Detective Inspector Liz Nyles (Image: ITV)
Katherine Kelly as DCI Hannah Wheatley
DCI Hannah Wheatley, the head of the Major Investigations Team, is a well-known ambitious detective with a keen eye for detail. She harbours suspicions about Liz and is relentless in her pursuit – but what exactly is her motive?
Katherine Kelly, who portrays Wheatley, is most recognised for her role as Becky Granger in ITV’s , but she has also featured in Happy Valley, Inside No 9, Bloods and Mr Bates vs The Post Office.
Nadine Marshall as DCI Amanda Kelman
Nadine Marshall takes on the role of DCI Amanda Kelman, a senior officer in the Professional Standards Department that investigates police corruption. She has quickly climbed the ranks and established herself as a strict and intimidating figure.
Marshall is best known for her role in the sitcom The Smoking Room, as well as parts in Waterloo Road, Plebs, Small Axe, Death in Paradise and Vera.
Barry Ward as DS Paul Brandice
Barry Ward plays DS Paul Brandice, the latest addition to the witness protection unit. He is a dependable and principled detective, who is secretly involved in a forbidden romance with Liz, which started shortly after he joined the unit.
Ward recently starred in Bad Sisters, The Capture, Save Me, Silent Witness and Britannia.
David Hayman as Sid Nyles
David Hayman portrays Sid Nyles, Liz’s father and a former DCI in both Lancashire and Liverpool. He is somewhat of a legend in the police force.
However, following his wife’s death, Sid devoted himself to his work, becoming a somewhat absent father in the process.
Hayman, known for his roles in The Nest, Andor, The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, Sid and Nancy, and Flood, will be part of the cast.
DCI Aurn Kapoor is the head of the witness protection unit in ITV drama Protection (Image: ITV)
Nichola Burley as Gemma Brandice
Nichola Burley will play Gemma Brandice, Paul’s wife and a former army member. She has previously starred in Born Equal, Drop Dead Gorgeous, Goldplated, Death Comes to Pemberley, Donkey Punch, and StreetDance 3D.
Ace Bhatti as DCI Arun Kapoor
Ace Bhatti will portray DCI Arun Kapoor, the head of the witness protection unit who staunchly defends Liz and his team. Line of Duty enthusiasts may recognise him as Police and Crime Commissioner Rohan Sindwhani, while fans may remember him as the villainous Dr Yusef Khan.
Barry Ward as DS Paul Brandice in new ITV drama Protection (Image: ITV)
Who else is in the cast of Protection?
The wider cast includes:
- Chaneil Kular as DS Raj Kholi
- Akiya Henry as DS Sue Beardsley
- Jodie Price as Jasmine Nyles
- Andrew Knott as DI Richard Bewley
- Tom Christian as DI Tommy Jardine
- Alec Newman as Edward Crowther
- Tilly Kaye as Amy McLennan
- Charlotte Mills as DS Rachel Gordon
- Jonathan Cake as John Gibson
- Ian Pirie as Assistant Chief Inspector Rory Davenport
- Zora Bishop as Rezan Crowther
- Syrus Lowe as DC Noel Taylor
- Nick Moss as Freddie Howard
- Joseph Millson as Elliot Hughes
- Reuven Walker as Arlo Crowther
- Louise Lee as Nurse
- Naomi Yang as Irene Kim
- Kris Hitchen as Jimmy McLennan
- Adam Long as Patrick Ellis
- Waj Ali as Soran Ahmadi
- Anthony Flanagan as DCI Amos Wilson
Protection starts at 9pm on Sunday, March 16 on ITV1 and ITVX. All episodes will be available on ITVX.