ITV reveals brand new gripping thriller with Endeavour star leading cast lineup
ITV has just given the green light to a brand new gripping thriller.
The commercial broadcaster has commissioned a new spy drama as one of the actors from Endeavour will lead the cast lineup.
A new series called ‘Betrayal’, will be set in the clandestine world of MI5.
Shaun Evans was known for his role as the young Detective Chief Inspector Endeavour Morse.
He was also played Coxswain Elliot Glover in the hit series Vigil, and his most recent role was as John Sweeney in Until I Kill You.
Now, the actor is set to play the title role as a spy who will set out to prevent a dark and serious threat to the national security of the UK.
This is while he struggles with his personal life and seeks to make sense of his place in the world.
Filming will begin early in 2025 as the drama will be set in both London and Manchester.
ITV released extensive details about the plot as it revealed his character first joined MI5 during the war on terror and he was at the forefront of averting some of the biggest terrorist plots.
Now, he’s married with two children, is in his mid 40’s and is struggling to adapt to the new ways of working and the progressive environment in at MI5.
He will meet Ehsan, a British Iranian man on one of his hunches, and it turns out that he has links to the Manchester gangland.
He also claims that he has intelligence about a potential plot on UK soil.
Unfortunately before he shares any details or intel, Ehsan is assassinated by a lone gunman.
On an impulse he then kills the hitman which triggers a chain of events that put him on a collision course with his superiors.
The bosses at MI5 are furious that he is now involved in a gang turf war in Manchester, although John thinks there is much more to it as he starts to look into Ehsan’s past.
He then embarks on a journey to redeem himself, save his career and maintain his reputation while he struggles with the toll on his mental health knowing that he killed a man.
I’m delighted to be returning to ITV with this exceptionally well written and timely project.
Shaun Evans
However, a twist comes in the form of intelligence operative Mehreen, who was brought in to take over his duties on the Iran desk.
He will feel an instant connection and wrestle with the temptations, whilst feeling the guilt of love for his family.
This is combined with the loyalty he has been over 20 years for the institution he has been a part of.
Will he find out the security threat to the UK before it’s too late?
Crime dramas on ITVX
Crime drama buffs have a wide selection of choices on ITVX - here is a selection of some of the programmes available to binge.
- Professor T: Based on a Belgian TV series of the same name, former Death in Paradise lead Ben Miller plays the title character. Professor Jasper Tempest is a criminologist with OCD who helps the police solve crimes. The cast also includes Emma Naomi, Barney White and Andy Gathergood.
- The Beast Must Die: This series follows a mother’s grief for her son, who was killed in an accident. Nicholas Blake’s novel of the same name has been adapted for the programme. Stars include Cush Jumbo, Jared Harris, Billy Howle and Geraldine James.
- Red Eye: Starring Richard Armitage, Jing Lusi and Lesley Sharp star in this six-part thriller, which mostly takes place during an all-night flight between London and Beijing. With dead bodies piling up and a mystery to unravel, the heroes must work fast to get to the truth.
- The Twelve: This Australian drama originally aired as a miniseries in 2022, with the episodes dropping in the UK in February 2023. Four months later, the show was renewed for a second season. Jurassic Park star Sam Neill stars in the leading role of barrister Brett Colby.
- Manhunt: Martin Clunes stars in this drama based on true murder investigations. Series one focused on the death of Amélie Delagrange, which took place in 2004, while the second depicted the search for serial rapist Delroy Grant.
Shaun couldn’t help but gush about his new role as he exclaimed: “I’m delighted to be returning to ITV with this exceptionally well written and timely project.
“It’s a great privilege to reunite with David Eldridge and bring to life his insightful take on the world of espionage.”
He added: “And it is of course a joy to be collaborating once again with the first-rate team at Mammoth Screen.
“I look forward to sharing it with ITV audiences soon.”