ITV has commissioned ‘The Blame’, a gripping new six-part crime drama from acclaimed Quay Street Productions, starring Michelle Keegan (Fool Me Once, Brassic) and Douglas Booth (The Sandman, The Dirt). Filming begins this summer in and around London, with the series set to air on ITV1 and stream on ITVX.
Based on the debut novel by Charlotte Langley (The Intrusion), ‘The Blame’ dives into secrets, suspicion and systemic corruption beneath the surface of the seemingly quiet town of Wakestead.
Leading the cast, Keegan plays DI Emma Crane, with Booth as DI Tom Radley. They are joined by Ian Hart (Mr Bates vs. The Post Office, The Last Kingdom) as DCI Kenneth Walker. The ensemble also features rising star Nathan Mensah as DC Lewis, Nigel Boyle (Line of Duty, Peaky Blinders) as digital forensic technician Brett Shergill, Joe Armstrong (Gentleman Jack, Black Mirror) as ice-skating coach Kyle Frasier, and Matilda Freeman (How to Get to Heaven from Belfast, Passenger) as Sophie Madsen.
The Wakestead Police team includes Gavin Spokes (House of the Dragon, Slow Horses) as DC Joel Stevens, Josh Bolt (Masters of the Air, Last Tango in Halifax) as DC Douglas James, and Ceallach Spellman (Cheaters, White Lines) as PC Callum Drummond.
The story begins when the body of teenage figure skater Sophie Madsen is discovered, sending shockwaves through the community. As Crane and Radley investigate, what starts as a tragic death spirals into a tangled web of lies, institutional cover-ups and moral compromise. As the clock ticks and trust fractures, Crane must navigate both the murder investigation and the treacherous politics within her own team.
“The Blame is a brilliant new crime thriller full of surprising twists and a compelling investigation that also cleverly tackles police corruption, exploitation and misogyny as the thriller unravels. Megan is such a wonderful and clever writer, and with Michelle Keegan in the lead and Nicola Shindler at the helm, this is going to be an unmissable drama and one I’m very proud to have on ITV.”
Polly Hill, ITV’s Director of Drama
“We are so delighted to be working with Megan again, she is an exceptional writer who has written a compelling series taking viewers on a twisty journey to discover what really happened through the lens of a contemporary police station brimming with secrets, corruption, and betrayal. We are also thrilled at the brilliant cast led by Michelle and Douglas, who will keep viewers on the edge of their seats, wondering who to trust at a time when the themes explored in The Blame are more relevant than ever.”
Nicola Shindler and Richard Fee, executive producers for Quay Street Productions
“The Blame is such an important and urgent story to tell; I’m so grateful to have had the opportunity to bring Charlotte Langley’s world and characters to life on screen. It’s my second collaboration with Quay Street Productions, and it’s great to be working with the team again – I’m truly in the best hands.”
Megan Gallagher, lead writer and executive producer
‘The Blame’ is written and developed for television by Megan Gallagher, who serves as executive producer and lead writer alongside series co-writers Ashley Sanders and Namsi Khan. Episodes 1 to 3 will be directed by Bex Rycroft (The Crow Girl, Screw), with Claire Tailyour (The Wives, Beyond Paradise) directing episodes 4 to 6. Matt Strevens (Capital, Cucumber) is the series producer, with Sara Huxley as co-producer. Executive producers for Quay Street Productions are Nicola Shindler (Nolly, It’s A Sin) and Richard Fee (Fool Me Once, Missing You). Polly Hill is executive producer for ITV. The series is filmed in association with FIFTH SEASON, which will also handle global distribution.
‘The Blame’ does not yet have a premiere date but will air on ITV1 and ITVX in the UK. If you want to keep track of this or any other shows, you can add them via our Never Miss system, and you’ll be notified when it gets a UK premiere date. Visit Never Miss.
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