Home TV News ITV Announces Spring Line Up Including Noel Clarke & John Simm Dramas, ‘Vera’, ‘The Masked Dancer’ & More

ITV Announces Spring Line Up Including Noel Clarke & John Simm Dramas, ‘Vera’, ‘The Masked Dancer’ & More

by Dave Elliott

ITV Announces Spring Line Up Including Noel Clarke & John Simm Dramas, ‘The Masked Dancer’ & More

ITV has announced a string of new shows which are set to land over Spring 2021 on the UK broadcaster, including new dramas starring Noel Clarke, Emily Watson and John Simm, returning dramas ‘Vera’ and ‘Innocent’, along with new entertainment shows such as ‘The Masked Dancer’… and the return of ‘Love Island’… Here is a rundown.

New Dramas

Grace – ITV – Sunday 14th March 2021 at 8pm

Acclaimed screenwriter and ‘Endeavour’ creator, Russell Lewis has adapted two of international bestseller Peter James’ award-winning novels which introduce the audience to Brighton based Detective Superintendent Roy Grace, a hardworking police officer who has given his life to the job.

John Simm stars as tenacious detective Roy Grace alongside Richie Campbell, who takes the role of DS Glenn Branson and Rakie Ayola as ACC Vosper. Joining the lead cast are Craig Parkinson as Norman Pottings, Laura Elphinstone is DS Bella Moy, Amaka plays DC Emma Jane Boutwood, and Brad Morrison takes the role of DC Nicholl.

Viewpoint – ITV – Spring 2021

Based on an idea by Fleabag and Emmy award-winning director, Harry Bradbeer (Killing Eve, No Offence) and co-created and written by Edgar award-winner Ed Whitmore (Safe House, Manhunt), the gripping five-part drama follows a tense police surveillance investigation into a tight-knit Manchester community and explores whether it is ever possible to observe the lives of others with true objectivity and zero effect.

Noel Clarke plays surveillance detective DC Martin Young, who sets up his observation post in the home of single mum and secret voyeur, Zoe Sterling, played by Alexandra Roach (No Offence, Black Mirror). Zoe’s windows command a panoramic view of Westbury Square, and more importantly provides a direct sightline into the home of missing primary school teacher, Gemma Hillman, played by Amy Wren (Tutankhamun, The Last Kingdom); the home she shares with boyfriend and prime suspect in her disappearance, Greg Sullivan, played by Fehinti Balogun (Informer, January 22nd).

Joining the cast are Catherine Tyldesley (Scarborough, Coronation Street), Bronagh Waugh (The Fall, Unforgotten), Sarah Niles (Trust Me, Catastrophe), Shannon Murray (Get Even, EastEnders), Phil Davis (Whitechapel, Poldark) Ian Puleston-Davies (Tin Star, Pennyworth), Dominic Allburn (Jack Irish: Dead Point, Between Two Worlds), Marcus Garvey (Broadchurch, Last Tango in Halifax), Carlyss Peer (The Feed) and Erin Shanagher (The Bay).

Too Close – ITV – Spring 2021

Too Close focuses on the compelling and dangerous relationship between forensic psychiatrist Dr Emma Robertson (Emily Watson) who is assigned to work with Connie Mortensen (Denise Gough) a woman accused of a heinous crime but who claims she can’t remember a thing.

Dr Robertson is not easily shocked. She’s worked with her fair share of high-security patients. However, when she’s sent to assess Connie for trial the two women become dangerously close. Connie has a searing insight into Emma’s deepest insecurities and starts to brutally exploit them. Their sessions become a complex psychological game with confusing undercurrents.

Emma tries to understand Connie and her complicated relationship with her beautiful best friend, Ness Jones (Thalissa Teixeira), which seems to have made her snap. But as Emma tries to uncover the truth and learn what triggered Connie’s despicable behaviour, it seems that her attempts to see justice done may destroy her instead.

Emily, Denise and Thalissa will be joined by James Sives, Risteárd Cooper, Chizzy Akudolu, Karl Johnson, Eileen Davies, Nina Wadia and Paul Chahidi.

Returning Drama

Innocent, Season 2 – ITV – Spring 2021

Following the critical acclaim of the first series in 2018, ‘Innocent’ returns with a completely new story starring Katherine Kelly in the lead role of Sally Wright who is fighting, against all odds, to prove her innocence.

When Matty is found dead, brutally stabbed with a broken cider bottle, suspicion falls upon Sally, who had admitted to taking special interest in the boy. In spite of having no criminal record, no history of violence and vehemently protesting her innocence and the fact she couldn’t be placed at the remote beauty spot on the day Matty was found murdered, Sally was convicted by a majority verdict and sentenced to a minimum of 15 years in jail.

Kelly will be joined by Jamie Bamber playing Sally’s husband Sam, as well as Priyanga Burford, Shaun Dooley, Amy-Leigh Hickman, Lucy Black, Michael Yare, Andrew Tiernan, Nadia Albina, Poppy Miller, Janine Wood, Laura Rollins and Michael Stevenson.

Vera, Season 11 – ITV – Spring 2021

Brenda Blethyn returns to the role of DCI Vera Stanhope for two emotionally compelling feature-length episodes set against the backdrop of the North East.

The eleventh series opens when the body of well-respected local builder, Jim Tullman, is found beaten to death on the steps of the Collingwood Monument. DCI Vera Stanhope questions how such a seemingly beloved and imposing figure could be attacked so viciously. The mystery deepens when she discovers that Tullman was due to testify in court as the key witness in a violent assault. Could these two crimes be connected?

The strong ensemble cast reunited with Blethyn includes Kenny Doughty who returns as Detective Sergeant Aiden Healy, Jon Morrison who plays DC Kenny Lockhart, Riley Jones who plays DC Mark Edwards, Ibinabo Jack who plays DC Jacqueline Williams and Paul Kaye as Pathologist Malcolm Donahue. Guest stars include Lorraine Ashbourne, Mark Benton and Louis Emerick.

Factual – ITV – Spring 2021

Factual shows include the previously announced two-part documentary ‘Britain’s Tiger Kings – On the Trail with Ross Kemp’ (W/T); ‘Extraordinary Twins’, which explores the amazing world of conjoined twins, discovering how families cope with the extraordinary circumstance of being parents to these rarest of babies; ‘Long Lost Family: Born Without Trace’, which sees experts combine the latest DNA technology with painstaking detective work to enable foundlings to finally uncover their identities; ‘The Queen’, looking back at her life and sharing unique footage, stories and memories from those who have been by her side throughout her time as the monarch as she celebrates her 95th birthday; ‘Kate Garraway: Finding Derek’, a special one-off film, which sees Garraway offer an intimate insight into coping with the impact of Covid-19 as her husband Derek Draper remains seriously ill a year on from contracting the virus; And a new season of ‘Paul O’Grady: For the Love of Dogs’.

Entertainment – Spring 2021

‘DNA Journey’ (ITV) returns as sporting legends Freddie Flintoff & Jamie Redknapp, TV personalities Amanda Holden & Alan Carr, and father/son duo Martin & Roman Kemp delve into their past and present using their individual DNA.

‘The Masked Dancer’ (ITV) – Hot on the heels of RTS nominated hit show The Masked Singer, this new format will see celebrity contestants perform unique dances, whilst covered from head to toe in extravagant and colourful costumes and face masks, leaving the viewers and star panel to guess their identities. Oti Mabuse, Jonathan Ross, Mo Gilligan and Davina McCall serve as the panel, with Joel Dommett as host.

‘All Star Musicals’ (ITV) returns for a one-off show. John Barrowman returns as host alongside a panel of three critics compiled of some of the West End and Broadway’s most distinguished talent led by theatre legend, Elaine Paige. Six celebrities will be flexing their theatrical muscles as they embark on the ultimate musical theatre masterclass in a one-night spectacular.

‘In For a Penny’ (ITV) – Stephen Mulhern is back with a brand-new series of his hugely popular on-the-street game show.

‘Game of Talents’ (ITV) – Vernon Kay host a new series that sees contestants try to uncover the secret talents of the public for a chance to win big money prizes.

‘Moneyball’ (ITV) – Hosted by football legend, Ian Wright, Moneyball is an exciting primetime game show where the difference between winning life-changing money and going home with nothing rests entirely on the bounce of a ball.

‘Beat The Chasers’ (ITV) – The primetime smash hit and RTS nominated quiz returns for a third series. Plus, for the first time, there will be two celebrity specials.

‘Celebrity Juice’ (ITV2) returns with Keith Lemon and team captains Laura Whitmore and Emily Atack.

‘Apocalypse Wow’ (ITV2) – From the makers of Lego Masters, Killer Camp and Release the Hounds comes an epic and hilarious new physical game show. Imagine The Chase meets Gladiators via Mad Max and Burning Man. Welcome to Apocalypse Wow! Five famous faces will enter the Torture Dome… a secret underground club, part BDSM dungeon part super club, part Fight Club…

‘Celebrity Karaoke Club’ (ITV2) – Get ready for epic performances and naughty night out antics as a new batch of celebrities make their way into the karaoke club to unleash their inner Lady Gaga.

‘Secret Crush’ (ITV2) – A new dating series following lovestruck singletons who’ve been harbouring feelings from afar who finally reveal their hidden passion to their unknowing crush.

‘Love Island’ (ITV2) returns for a 7th Season…

All the shows listed above are set to land on ITV (or ITV2) in Spring 2021.

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