New Pictures has started filming a new thriller starring Siobhan Finneran, Nadine Marshall and Katherine Kelly, in Liverpool.
Protection is written by acclaimed screenwriter Kris Mrksa and will premiere on ITV1, as well as being available for streaming on ITVX.
The 6-part series will look at the “dark, murky and complex” world of witness protection. Based on first-hand experiences of a long-serving witness protection officer, it’s about what happens when the system breaks down and there’s a breach.
“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,” said Kris Mrksa.
“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. I’m incredibly excited to be working with the team at New Pictures again, in bringing this complex world to life.”
Finneran plays Detective Inspector Liz Nyles, who finds herself at the heart of a breach; personally compromised by an affair with a colleague, but determined to fight back, and uncover the true source of corruption within her unit.
New Pictures co-founder and Chief Executive Officer, Willow Grylls (Des, The Missing, The Long Shadow) and Charlie Hampton (The Spanish Princess, The Deceived) will executive produce Protection alongside Elaine Pyke and Kris Mrksa.
The series will be produced by Rebecca Davies (Cobra) and line produced by Tracy Chapman (Cobra).
“The clandestine world of witness protection creates a thrilling backdrop for this intriguing crime thriller written brilliantly by Kris Mrska,” added ITV’s Head of Drama Polly Hill.
“We’ve attracted an amazing cast including Siobhan Finneran, Nadine Marshall and Katherine Kelly and I’m delighted to commission the series from Willow Grylls and her team at New Pictures.”
It will be directed by Simen Alsvik (Fenris, The Nest, Neste sommer) and Sasha Ransome (Cobra, McDonald & Dodds).
Mrksa writes episodes 1, 3 and 6), Polly Buckle 2 and 4 and Giula Sandler Episode 5.
