ITV unveils new thriller Protection starring Happy Valley and Corrie stars

New ITV drama Protection is led by Happy Valley actress Siobhan Finneran who plays Detective Inspector Liz Nyles (Image: ITV)

ITV has released a first glimpse of its intense new thriller which boasts a talented cast, including Coronation Street and Happy Valley actors.

Protection stars Siobhan Finneran, known for her role in Happy Valley, as Detective Inspector Liz Nyles, alongside Nadine Marshall from Champion.

The six-part drama delves into the world of witness protection, exposing the consequences when the system fails.

At the centre of the story is Detective Inspector Liz Nyles, whose world is turned upside down when a breach occurs, further complicated by her affair with a colleague.

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Undeterred, she sets out to fight back, determined to uncover the root of the corruption within her unit and salvage her reputation, as well as that of her lover, all while ensuring the safety of her witnesses.

New ITV show focuses on a witness protection officer's first-hand experiences and what happens when the system breaks down. (Image: ITV)

Wales Online reports the cast includes notable actors such as Barry Ward from Bad Sisters, Chaneil Kular from Sex Education, David Hayman from Sid and Nancy, Nichola Burley from The Gold, and Akiya Henry from Silent Witness.

Filming locations included Birkenhead, Runcorn, and Liverpool in the north-west of England, where production took place from July to September 2023.

Although the release date is yet to be confirmed, Protection is expected to air later this year on ITV1 and ITVX.

Protection is a new six part series starring Siobhan Finneran and Katherine Kelly. Filming has started in Liverpool and the series will air on ITV and ITVX next year (2024) (Image: ITV) SUBSCRIBE Invalid email

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Regarding the upcoming series, screenwriter Kris Mrksa stated: "Protection is a suspenseful conspiracy thriller, but it also explores some complex moral questions, about how far we should be prepared to go in order to serve the greater good.

"The murky world of witness protection, where hardened criminals are often sheltered, in the hope that they will help bring down other criminals, provides the perfect context for examining these thorny issues.

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"I'm incredibly excited to be working with the team at New Pictures again, in bringing this complex world to life."