ITV's Betrayal: A Stellar Cast Unveiled for New Spy Thriller
ITV's highly anticipated new drama Betrayal is set to premiere on Sunday, February 8, taking over the primetime slot from After the Flood. This gripping four-part thriller delves into the shadowy world of modern intelligence, exploring themes of trust, truth, and the personal cost of secrecy within MI5. The series promises a tangled web of human relationships where loyalty and deception violently collide.
The Core Plot and Central Characters
At the heart of Betrayal is John Hughes, portrayed by Shaun Evans, a mid-career MI5 officer navigating a rapidly evolving intelligence landscape while struggling to maintain his personal life. The story kicks off when John, acting on a hunch, meets a British Iranian man with links to Stockport gangland who claims to possess intelligence about a plot on UK soil. Before this informant can share crucial details, he is executed, and John kills the assassin in self-defence.
This incident plunges John into an internal investigation, facing intense scrutiny from his superiors, including Simone Grant, played by Nikki Amuka-Bird. Meanwhile, his partner Claire, portrayed by Romola Garai, grapples with the pervasive secrecy that defines his world. John's efforts to salvage his marriage are complicated by his obsession with the case. His path crosses with Mehreen Askari-Evans, an intelligence operative played by Zahra Ahmadi, who is tasked with taking over John's duties, becoming an unlikely ally.
As John becomes increasingly convinced of the involvement of a hardline faction of the Iranian regime, he also starts to suspect enemies closer to home. The central question looms: can he identify the target and avert the attack before it's too late?
Meet the Extensive Cast of Betrayal
The ensemble cast features a blend of established stars and promising newcomers, bringing depth to this complex narrative.
Shaun Evans as John Hughes: Evans, best known for playing a young Endeavour Morse in the ITV drama Endeavour and Coxswain Elliot Glover in Vigil, portrays an MI5 agent who rose from a working-class background to become a key player in the war on terror during the 1990s. His role explores the isolating reality of living a double life.
Romola Garai as Claire Wardley: Garai plays John's wife, a hardworking and resilient GP managing a stressful job and family demands. Initially excited by the prospect of being married to a spy, she faces the harsh reality of deception and secrecy. Garai's notable roles include The Hour, Becoming Elizabeth, and the film Atonement, with a BAFTA nomination for The Crimson Petal and the White.
Zahra Ahmadi as Mehreen Askari-Evans: Ahmadi portrays a fearless British-Iranian intelligence operative born in Cornwall to liberal parents. Her character's confidence and dedication have led her into dangerous situations, including a kidnapping on the Iranian border. Viewers may recognise Ahmadi from her role as DS Esther Williams in Beyond Paradise and Shabnam Masood in EastEnders.
Nikki Amuka-Bird as Simone Grant: Amuka-Bird plays MI5's Head of State Threats, a role with immense responsibility covering security for the state, royal family, and threats from terrorism to cybersecurity. Known for roles in Luther, Citadel, and Jupiter Ascending, she brings authority to this pivotal character.
Supporting Cast and Additional Stars
The drama also features a robust supporting cast, including:
- Gamba Cole as Rudy Kember: A member of MI5's Technical Solutions team, known for his calm and efficient demeanour, fostering an unlikely comradeship with John. Cole is recognised for his role in The Outlaws.
- Omid Djalili as Qasem Asadi: A suave and direct high-ranking Iranian General suspected of masterminding the attack on UK soil. Djalili, a comedian and actor, has appeared in His Dark Materials and The Change.
- Hayley Tamaddon: Known for roles in Unforgotten and Coronation Street.
- Ben Lambert: Featured in Outlander and The Crown.
- Julia Watson: Appeared in Doctor Who and Doctors.
Additional cast members include Matthew Tennyson, Anthony Flanagan, Paddy Rowan, Waj Ali, Karim Kadjar, Emma Cunniffe, Georgina Rylance, Julian Wadham, and Raphael Zari. The series also introduces newcomers Elham Karimpour, Aidan Rivers, Corin Silva, and Eliza Agrosoaie.
Broadcast Details and Anticipation
Betrayal promises to be a standout addition to ITV's drama lineup, with its intricate plot and stellar cast. The series will air on ITV1 and be available on ITVX at 9pm on Sunday, February 8. Fans of spy thrillers and character-driven narratives have much to anticipate as this story of loyalty, betrayal, and high-stakes intelligence unfolds on screen.
