ITV drama Protection is being binged all over again

TV thriller dramas have become incredibly popular over the last decade, with shows such as Line of Duty, Unforgotten and This City Is Ours keeping us all entertained. Back in Spring 2025, ITV/STV bosses dropped a new thriller called Protection, leaving viewers hooked.

Starring Happy Valley actors Katherine Kelly and Siobhan Finneran, viewers loved the show, with many calling for more series to be created.

Whilst it doesn't look a second series will happen, the show is gaining a new wave of fans, as well as original viewers binging the show all over again. Why you may ask? Well, ITV/STV bosses are currently promoting the show as an 'unmissable boxset' on ITVX and STV Player.

What is Protection?

Protection is a thriller series which first aired on ITV/STV in March 2025.

The six-part series stars Siobhan Finneran, Nadine Marshall and Katherine Kelly, and is based on first-hand experiences of a long-serving witness protection officer.

ITV say of the drama: 'Protection is about what happens when the system breaks down. It’s about a police officer; Detective Inspector Liz Nyles (Siobhan Finneran), who finds herself at the heart of such 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. To redeem herself, the reputation of her lover, and to keep her witnesses safe. Even if they don’t always deserve it.

'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.'

When was it on TV?

Episode one hit screens on Sunday 16th March 2025. All six episodes are available to watch on ITVX and STV Player now.

Is there a trailer?

The trailer was released on 15th February 2025, alongside the caption: 'Liz will stop at nothing to protect her witnesses, and her family. Inspired by a real-life witness protection officer. Protection. Coming soon'. (sic)

Check out the trailer below:

READ MORE: Filming wraps for This City Is Ours series two

What channel is it on?

Protection aired on ITV1 and ITX, and STV1 and STV Player for viewers in Scotland.

Who is in the cast?

Actress Siobhan Finneran, famed for her roles in shows such as Happy Valley, Benidorm and The Stranger, played the lead role of Detective Inspector Liz Nyles in the series.

Siobhan was be joined on the show by Katherine Kelly, who has appeared in the likes of Happy Valley, Innocent, Coronation Street, and The Long Shadow.

Actress Nadine Marshall, who starred in Trigger Point, also plays a lead role.

Other cast members include Barry Ward, Chaneil Kular, David Hayman, Nichola Burley, and Akiya Henry.

Check out images from Protection below:

Who created the show?

The thriller was written by acclaimed screenwriter Kris Mrksa and produced by multi-award-winning production company New Pictures, who are responsibility for hit shows such as The Long Shadow, Des, and The Missing.

Writer Kris said: "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.

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

Where was it filmed?

Filming for the series started in Liverpool in September 2023. No exact filming locations have been revealed.

ITV’s Head of Drama, Polly Hill said: “The clandestine world of witness protection creates a thrilling backdrop for this intriguing crime thriller written brilliantly by Kris Mrska. 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.”

How many episodes does it have?

Protection is made-up of six episodes.

Will there be a second series of Protection?

According to TV Zone, bosses have no plans to create a second series of Protection.

An ITV spokesperson told the publication: "Protection was a great success, reaching over 8 million viewers. While there are no current plans to continue Liz Nyles’ story, we're continuing to work closely with New Pictures on developing new drama projects in this area."