ITV calls in Protection

FIRST LOOK: Siobhan Finneran (Happy Valley), Nadine Marshall (Champion) and Katherine Kelly (Mr Bates vs The Post Office) star in Protection, a new six-part thriller coming to ITV and STV this spring.

A story about what happens when the clandestine and morally grey witness protection system breaks down, it introduces Detective Inspector Liz Nyles (Finneran) – a single mum, juggling a difficult divorce and a sick father, who finds herself at the heart of a security breach within her witness protection unit.

Professionally compromised by a secret affair with a colleague, she is determined to uncover the true source of corruption within the police. Liz will stop at nothing to redeem herself, the reputation of her lover, and to keep her witnesses and her own family safe. Even if it means breaking all the rules.

Additional casting includes Barry Ward (Bad Sisters) and Chaneil Kular (Sex Education).

Created by Kris Mrksa (White House Far, No Escape), the series is inspired by a real-life witness protection officer who also acted as a series consultant. It is produced by New Pictures (Des, White House Farm), with Willow Grylls, Charlie Hampton, Elaine Pyke and Mrksa among the executive producers.

The series is produced by Rebecca Davies (Cobra) and line-produced by Tracy Chapman (Cobra). All3Media International has exclusive worldwide distribution rights for the series.

Protection is directed by Simen Alsvik (Fenris) and Sasha Ransome (Cobra). The writers include Mrksa (episodes 1, 3, and 6), Polly Buckle (episodes 2 and 4)and Giula Sandler (episode 5).

tagged in: All3Media International, ITV, New Pictures, Protection, Siobhan Finneran, STV