ITV announces the production of a new espionage drama series titled ‘Betrayal’.
- Shaun Evans stars as John Hughes, a spy facing internal and external conflicts.
- The narrative unfolds between London and Manchester, involving high-stakes espionage.
- Production is handled by Mammoth Screen with collaboration from Navarino Pictures.
- Filming begins in early 2025, with oversight by ITV’s drama team.
ITV has declared the commissioning of an intriguing new espionage thriller series known as ‘Betrayal’, headlined by Shaun Evans, famed for his role in ‘Vigil’. The drama, orchestrated by the esteemed playwright and screenwriter David Eldridge, is intricately set against the bustling backdrops of Manchester and London. At the heart of the narrative is John Hughes, portrayed by Evans, who is entangled in a perilous mission to thwart a menacing threat looming over national security.
The plot thickens as Hughes, driven by intuition, engages with Ehsan, a British Iranian individual entwined with the Manchester underworld. Ehsan’s character, who purports to possess crucial intelligence on a looming homeland threat, meets a gruesome fate at the hands of an enigmatic assassin. Acting on impulse, Hughes eliminates the assassin, consequently igniting a cascade of events that embroil him in contentious disputes with his superiors, who are incensed by his entanglement in what appears to be a grim Manchester gang rivalry.
Shaun Evans expressed his enthusiasm for reprising his collaboration with ITV, commending the remarkable script and its relevance. He highlighted the privilege of working once more with David Eldridge and the proficient team at Mammoth Screen, signalling his eagerness to impart this project to ITV’s audience in the foreseeable future.
Filming of ‘Betrayal’ is slated to commence in early 2025, with esteemed production from ITV Studios’ distinctive Mammoth Screen division, working alongside Navarino Pictures. Integral to the production are Mammoth’s influential figures including founder and Chief Creative Officer Damien Timmer, alongside executive producers Tom Leggett, David Eldridge, and Shaun Evans himself. Rebecca Keane, as Mammoth’s Creative Director, has been pivotal in steering the series’ development.
David Eldridge voiced his excitement in co-creating ‘Betrayal’, which intricately intertwines familial strife with the perilous world of espionage, while also cherishing the opportunity to craft a bespoke role for Evans. This new series has garnered commissioning support from ITV’s Head of Drama Polly Hill and Drama Commissioner Huw Kennair-Jones, indicating a strong backing for the production.
‘Betrayal’ is set to captivate audiences with its intense narrative and high-stakes espionage intrigue, as production gears up for its 2025 debut.
