ITV1’s gripping drama Protection has Siobhan Finneran portraying DI Liz Nyles, who delves into the chilling murder of a family under witness protection. The brutal crime sends shockwaves through the unit and casts a shadow of doubt over its credibility, with whispers of corruption and ties to the criminal underworld.
DI Liz Nyles is haunted by the possibility that she may have inadvertently implicated herself, facing intense scrutiny from the force’s anti-corruption squad. Audiences have witnessed her entanglement in an affair, while the two individuals she was protecting in witness protection are slain before the trial of narcotics kingpin Eddie Crowther (Alec Newman).
As the series reaches its climax, Liz finds herself cornered, with her illicit relationship with Brandice exposed and DI Wheatley (Katherine Kelly) convinced of her corruption.
But what unfolded in the series finale?
What happened in the ending to Protection?
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Crowther, the drug lord who was going to confess what happened to Liz, is discovered dead in his cell.
Liz, alongside Raj, breaks into DS Brandice’s homein search of the “insurance policy” the deceased detective had secured from McLennan, and they also stumble upon evidence implicating Intelligence officer Nigel Frankton, a comrade of Brandice from their Special Forces days, as the mastermind.
Brandice had concealed a USB stick behind a photograph on the wall, leaving it for Liz.
She takes her concerns to Soran Ahmadi (Waj Ali), a key player in Crowther’s drug operation in Turkey, who directs her to a former member of the Kurdish independence movement.
Upon leaving, she spots a BMW and suspects she’s being followed. She attempts to contact Kohli, unaware that her phone calls are being intercepted.
Liz (Siobhan Finneran) is feared to be corrupt ahead of the Protection finale (Image: ITV)
When he arrives to collect her, she is confronted at gunpoint by a man she recognises as Paul Brandice’s killer. The henchman takes her to a secluded woodland area, demanding the USB stick.
Raj intervenes but is shot by the henchman, allowing Liz to escape into the woods where she flags down a lorry driver.
Liz receives a threatening call from Frankton, warning her that he will harm her father and daughter unless they reach “an arrangement”. They arrange to meet at the McLennans’ safe house.
Frankton had been using Crowther’s drug operation as a cover for British foreign policy missions in the Middle East. When McLennan turned against Crowther, Frankton knew their ‘arrangement’ was over.
He tasked his old army friend, DS Brandice, with locating McLennan. However, once Brandice realised Frankton intended to kill the McLennans, he tried to protect them.
With the USB drive implicating him in the conspiracy, Frankton demands the device and is prepared to kill Liz to obtain it. A struggle ensues between Liz and Frankton just as armed police and DCI Wheatley storm the property to rescue Liz.
Who was DCI Amanda Kelman really working for?
Nadine Marshall appears as Detective Chief Inspector Amanda Kelman (Image: ITV)
DCI Kelman later confesses to Liz in the car park that she was the one who leaked Amy’s interview location due to national security concerns.
She also admits to sharing information requested by a senior British Intelligence officer, but claims she was unaware of the full extent of what was happening. Kelman suggests that Brandice was likely recruited by his old Army mate Frankton under the pretence of aiding Intelligence.
Liz is keen to disclose what transpired as she believes it’s in the interest of national security, but Kelman disagrees. Liz attends Brandice’s funeral alongside Kohli, who reveals he’s accepted six months’ leave and a promotion in return for his silence.
Barry Ward as DS Paul Brandice in new ITV drama Protection (Image: ITV)
Did Brandice really love Liz?
While rummaging through Brandice’s home, Liz discovers he had signed divorce papers, but his wife and widow Gemma hadn’t. This hints at the possibility that he intended to leave Gemma for Liz.
Later in the finale, DI Rick Bewley informs Liz that Brandice had all the necessary information before they began their affair.
This insinuates that their love story wasn’t fabricated after all, providing her with some comfort at his funeral. She bids him a final farewell at his graveside.