Michelle Keegan and Douglas Booth cast in new ITV drama The Blame
Entertainment News: Michelle Keegan and Douglas Booth have been cast in new ITV crime drama The Blame.
ITV has confirmed a brand-new crime thriller, The Blame, which will see Michelle Keegan and Douglas Booth take leading roles. The six-part series has been commissioned by ITV’s Director of Drama, Polly Hill, and is being produced by Quay Street Productions, part of ITV Studios. Written and executive produced by Megan Gallagher (All Her Fault, Wolf), the drama will explore hidden secrets, suspicion, and systemic corruption lurking beneath the surface of a small town.
Filming is currently underway in and around London, with the series set to air on ITV1 and STV, and stream on ITVX and STV Player. FIFTH SEASON is attached to the project in association and will manage worldwide distribution.
Keegan (Fool Me Once, Brassic) stars as Detective Inspector Emma Crane, with Booth (The Sandman, The Dirt) playing Detective Inspector Tom Radley. Ian Hart (Mr Bates vs The Post Office, The Last Kingdom) joins the cast as Detective Chief Inspector Kenneth Walker.
The ensemble also includes Nathan Mensah as DC Lewis, Nigel Boyle (Line of Duty, Peaky Blinders) as digital forensic expert Brett Shergill, Joe Armstrong (Gentleman Jack, Black Mirror) as skating coach Kyle Frasier, and Matilda Freeman (How to get to heaven from Belfast, Passenger) as teenager Sophie Madsen. Gavin Spokes (House of the Dragon, Slow Horses), Josh Bolt (Masters of the Air, Last Tango in Halifax), and Ceallach Spellman (Cheaters, White Lines) play members of the Wakestead Police team — DC Joel Stevens, DC Douglas James and PC Callum Drummond — with Vikash Bhai (Virdee, Men Up) as Kapil.
The story begins when the body of teenage figure skater Sophie Madsen is discovered, shaking the community of Wakestead. As DI Crane (Keegan) and DI Radley (Booth) investigate, what appears to be a tragic death quickly unravels into a dark web of lies, cover-ups, and corruption. With time running out and loyalties fracturing, Crane finds herself caught between solving the case and navigating dangerous politics within her own department.
Polly Hill, ITV’s Director of Drama, said:
“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.”
Executive producers Nicola Shindler and Richard Fee of Quay Street Productions added:
“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.”
Lead writer and executive producer Megan Gallagher commented:
“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.”
Filming on The Blame will continue throughout the summer in London.
Words: Simon Baines
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