ITV Protection plot, cast, trailer and release schedule for new crime thriller - The Mirror

Happy Valley star Siobhan Finneran

New ITV drama Protection, starring Happy Valley's Siobhan Finneran, is set to finally make its debut this weekend.

The six-part drama has been created by White House Farm writer Kris Mrksa, and explores what happens when the clandestine and morally grey witness protection system breaks down. The series is inspired by a real-life witness protection officer, who also acted as a consultant on the show.

Protection features a stellar cast full of familiar faces from across British TV as well as some rising stars.

This is everything you need to know about Protection including the full plot, cast, TV airing dates and the episode release schedule.

What is the plot of Protection?

Protection focuses on a witness protection officer's first-hand experiences and what happens when the system breaks down.

Detective Inspector Liz Nyles finds herself at the heart of such a breach and is personally compromised by an affair with a colleague. Yet she is determined to fight back and uncover the true source of corruption within her unit.

Nyles aims to redeem herself, the reputation of her lover, and to keep her witnesses safe.

The synopsis continues: "Navigating the morally-grey, clandestine world of witness protection, Liz’s mission to find the truth will take her deep into the heart of the criminal underbelly and beyond as she becomes more and more torn between caring for her family, her loyalty to her lover and her duty as a police officer.

"This is the story of a smart, tough cop, out of her depth in a world where nothing is as it seems."

ITV’s Head of Drama, Polly Hill, has commissioned a compelling thriller, Protection. The new series was created and written by acclaimed screenwriter Kris Mrksa and produced by multi-award-winning production company, New Pictures (Des, The Missing, The Long Shadow, Dalgliesh), part of All3Media.

Filming took place between July and September 2023 in the north-west of England with filming locations including Birkenhead, Runcorn, and Liverpool.

When is Protection released and what is the TV release schedule?

The new ITV drama Protection consists of six episodes, with each episode lasting approximately an hour.

The first episode airs at 9pm on Sunday, March 16 on ITV1 and ITVX, with the second episode airing at 9pm on Monday, March 17 on ITV1.

All episodes will be released on ITVX on Sunday, March 16.

Who is in the cast of Protection?

Leading Protection is Siobhan Finneran as DI Nyles who is renowned for her roles in Happy Valley and Downton Abbey. Former Coronation Street star Katherine Kelly appears as DCI Hannah Wheatley, who previously appeared in other ITV crime dramas such as The Long Shadow and Innocent.

The wider cast includes Barry Ward (Bad Sisters), Chaneil Kular (Sex Education), David Hayman (Sid and Nancy), Nichola Burley (The Gold) and Akiya Henry (Silent Witness).

Protection starts at 9pm on Sunday, March 16 on ITV1 and ITVX. All episodes will be available on ITVX.