ITV’s new six-part thriller, Protection, explodes onto screens on Sunday, March 16th at 9 PM, airing on ITV1 and ITVX. The series throws viewers into the high-stakes, murky world of witness protection.
Here’s the Lowdown: Protection, from the writer of White House Farm and No Escape, Kris Mrksa, centers on DI Liz Nyles (Siobhan Finneran, known for Happy Valley). Nyles, a single mother and dedicated officer, is already dealing with a difficult divorce and her father’s illness. But when a security breach endangers her entire witness protection unit, and her secret affair with a colleague is revealed, things go from bad to worse. Nyles becomes a target, suspected of wrongdoing.
What This Means Now: This is a show about a system breaking down, and the people caught in the fallout. The cast is packed with talent, including Finneran, Nadine Marshall (Sherwood), and Katherine Kelly (Mr Bates vs The Post Office), plus Barry Ward (Bad Sisters) and Chaneil Kular (Sex Education). Expect powerful acting and a fast-paced story.
The Bigger Picture: The series is grounded in reality, drawing on the real experiences of a witness protection officer who served as a consultant. It tackles big questions: Who can you trust when the people meant to protect you become a threat? How far will someone go to protect themselves and those in their care? The core story – a cop fighting corruption from within – is both gripping and relevant. Catch the first episode on Sunday, March 16th.
