The much-anticipated ITV1 drama Protection has finally hit the screens – but is the drama based on a real story?
The series revolves around DI Liz Nyles (Siobhan Finneran), a witness protection officer investigating a family murder within the witness protection programme.
This shocking event shakes the entire team and casts doubt on the integrity of the unit, with allegations of corruption and ties to organised crime surfacing. DI Liz Nyles is left questioning whether she inadvertently compromised herself, all while under immense pressure from the force’s anti-corruption unit.
Released in its entirety on ITVX on Sunday, March 16, the series has been met with high praise from both critics and viewers alike. Filming for Protection took place between July and September 2023 across various locations in the north-west of England, including Childwall Wirral, Liverpool, Birkenhead, Southport, Knowsley, Sefton and Halton.
But is Protection based on real events?
Is Protection based on a true story?
Katherine Kelly as DCI Hannah Wheatley in ITV drama Protection (Image: ITV)
While Protection is a work of fiction, it was inspired by the experiences of a witness protection specialist who served in the Metropolitan Police for three decades. Their identity remains confidential, but it is known that they were involved in several high-profile cases and informants, including war criminals and terrorists.
their experiences and stories proved invaluable to the screenwriters, enabling them to create a series that is as accurate as possible.
Kris Mrksa, the screenwriter, spoke about the genesis of his police drama, revealing: “When the team at New Pictures first introduced me to a former witness protection officer with some incredible stories to tell, it was immediately obvious that his experiences would provide the basis of an exciting police drama.
“But as I learned more about the day-to-day realities of witness protection, it became evident that this is an area of policing that has more in common with the world of espionage and spying, than the operations of a traditional police unit.”
Protection sees witness protection officer DI Liz Nyles (Siobhan Finneran) investigate the murder of a family in witness protection. (Image: ITV)
Lead star Siobhan Finneran shared her thoughts on playing a character involved in witness protection, saying: “I don’t think anybody really knows about it, because it’s all hidden away as it should be.
“I read a really great article and the gentleman whose experiences inspired the series, he even came on set one day. However, even if you do talk to someone from the world you’re portraying, you’re never going to be fully immersed in it – ultimately, we’re dependent on the scripts.”
Siobhan Finneran as Liz Nyles and Andrew Knott as DCI Richard Bewley in ITV drama Protection (Image: ITV)
“Understanding you have switch off emotion is something I understand, in that I can be having a really awful day then go to work and be doing scenes where I’m having to be having fun.
“But not to the extent these people have to, where it has to be a complete shutdown. To go home and take that back with you must be incredibly difficult.”
Protection airs on ITV1 on Sunday and Mondays at 9pm, with all episodes available on ITVX