ITV's Betrayal: A New Thriller Premiering This Weekend
ITV is set to launch its gripping new drama Betrayal, a high-stakes thriller that delves into the shadowy world of modern intelligence. The series will occupy the coveted Sunday and Monday night slot, succeeding After the Flood following its second season finale. With a premiere scheduled for Sunday, February 8 at 9pm on ITV1 and ITVX, viewers can anticipate a tense narrative centered on trust, truth, and the personal toll of secrecy.
Plot Synopsis and Central Characters
At the core of Betrayal is John Hughes, portrayed by Shaun Evans, a mid-career MI5 officer navigating a rapidly evolving intelligence landscape while his personal life unravels. The story kicks off when John meets a British Iranian informant with connections to Stockport's gangland, who claims to possess intelligence about a plot on UK soil. Before the informant can divulge details, he is executed, and John kills the assassin in self-defence.
This incident plunges John into an internal investigation, with his superiors, including Simone Grant played by Nikki Amuka-Bird, scrutinising his actions. Meanwhile, his partner Claire, portrayed by Romola Garai, struggles with the secrecy that defines John's profession. As John becomes obsessed with the case, his marriage deteriorates, and he finds an unlikely ally in Mehreen Askari-Evans, an intelligence operative played by Zahra Ahmadi.
The narrative thickens as John suspects the involvement of a hardline faction of the Iranian regime and fears enemies within his own ranks. The central question looms: can he identify the target and prevent the attack before it is too late?
Star-Studded Cast and Production Team
Betrayal boasts an impressive ensemble cast led by Shaun Evans, known for his roles in Until I Kill You, Endeavour, and Vigil. Romola Garai, acclaimed for The Years and The Hour, joins as Claire, while Zahra Ahmadi from Beyond Paradise and Nikki Amuka-Bird of Avenue 5 fame round out the primary roles.
Supporting cast members include Gamba Cole (The Outlaws, Three Little Birds), Omid Djalili (The Letter for the King, His Dark Materials), and a host of other talented actors such as Matthew Tennyson, Hayley Tamaddon, and Anthony Flanagan. The series also features newcomers Elham Karimpour, Aidan Rivers, Corin Silva, and Eliza Agrosoaie, adding fresh faces to the drama.
The creative team behind Betrayal is equally noteworthy. The series is written by award-winning playwright and screenwriter David Eldridge and directed by BAFTA and Emmy nominee Julian Jarrold, ensuring a compelling and visually striking production.
Filming Locations in Northern England
Filming for Betrayal took place in and around Liverpool and Manchester, leveraging the distinctive urban landscapes of these northern cities. Shaun Evans, who hails from the region, expressed his enthusiasm for filming on home turf. He remarked, "I spend a lot of time in Liverpool because my family are all there, so to be up north was brilliant. They were a really funny, hard-working crew, and to be seeing parts of Liverpool in a way that I hadn’t seen them, having access to certain parts of the city, that was just amazing. A very special time in my life."
Zahra Ahmadi also shared her appreciation for the locations, stating, "I'd worked in Manchester before for quite a considerable amount of time and I’m a big fan, but I had only ever been to Liverpool once. I'd never realised what a beautiful city it was. The architecture is stunning, and then of course there’s the musical history and the food scene too, which is incredible."
Episode Details and Broadcast Schedule
Betrayal comprises four hour-long episodes, airing over two weeks on Sunday and Monday nights. The premiere episode, titled with a synopsis that reads, "When a meeting with an informant turns fatal, MI5 agent John believes there’s a deadly conspiracy. Faced with sceptical colleagues and troubles at home, can John get to the truth?" sets the stage for a suspenseful journey.
Subsequent episodes will continue to explore the intricate web of loyalty and deception, with the final instalment airing on Monday, February 15. This compact series format promises a tightly woven narrative without unnecessary filler, keeping audiences on the edge of their seats throughout its run.
As ITV's latest offering in the thriller genre, Betrayal aims to captivate viewers with its blend of personal drama and high-stakes espionage, set against the backdrop of Britain's intelligence community.
