On February 8, 2026, British television viewers are set for a gripping new ride through the shadowy world of espionage as ITV launches its much-anticipated four-part drama series, Betrayal. Airing at 9pm on both ITV1 and ITVX, the modern thriller promises to deliver not only high-stakes intrigue but also a deeply human story about trust, secrecy, and the personal costs of living a double life. With a star-studded cast led by Shaun Evans, Romola Garai, Zahra Ahmadi, and Nikki Amuka-Bird, the series is already generating buzz as the next must-see drama to fill the Sunday night primetime slot after the conclusion of After the Flood.
Set against the evocative backdrop of Liverpool and Manchester, Betrayal plunges viewers into the life of John Hughes, a mid-career MI5 officer whose world is upended when a routine operation goes tragically wrong. John, played by Shaun Evans—famed for his roles in Endeavour, Vigil, and Until I Kill You—finds himself at the center of an internal investigation after a case involving a British Iranian informant with links to the Stockport gangland ends in the deaths of two people. The informant is executed before he can reveal crucial intelligence about a plot on UK soil, and John kills the assassin in self-defense—a move that sends shockwaves through his professional and personal life.
The official synopsis, as reported by ITV, sums up the heart of the series: "At the heart of the story is John Hughes (Shaun Evans), a mid-career MI5 officer navigating a rapidly evolving intelligence landscape while struggling to keep his personal life intact." John’s relentless pursuit of the truth doesn’t just jeopardize his standing at MI5; it also threatens to unravel his already fragile marriage to Claire Wardly, portrayed by Romola Garai. Claire, a hardworking GP, is left to hold down the fort at home while grappling with the secrecy and emotional distance that John’s job demands. As the investigation drags on, Claire begins to question whether the excitement of being married to a spy is worth the price she’s paying in trust and truth.
Romola Garai, known for standout performances in Emma, Becoming Elizabeth, The Miniaturist, and Atonement, brings depth and nuance to Claire’s struggle. As she confided in interviews, the role was an opportunity to explore the real, unglamorous side of life with someone whose profession is built on secrets. "She has been hurt and cheated on – but worst of all she has been denied the truth," Garai noted, highlighting the emotional stakes that run parallel to the show’s spycraft.
As John’s professional troubles mount, he meets Mehreen Askari-Evans, played by Zahra Ahmadi, who is tasked with taking over his duties during the investigation. Mehreen quickly becomes more than just a replacement; she turns into an unlikely ally as John becomes convinced that a hardline faction of the Iranian regime may be orchestrating the attack he’s trying to prevent. Ahmadi, recognized for her roles in Beyond Paradise and EastEnders, described her character as "supremely confident, very comfortable in herself and her abilities. She knows what she's capable of and what her limitations are. She's a real grafter, passionate about what she believes in and things that are dear to her."
Rounding out the principal cast is Nikki Amuka-Bird as Simone Grant, the formidable Head of State Threats at MI5 and John’s boss. Simone’s role, as Amuka-Bird explained, involves "a huge responsibility. She's in charge of security for the state, for the royal family, she's covering terrorist threats to assassination plots to cybersecurity threats. She has to stay clear headed, have excellent judgment and be able to analyse complex situations at the drop of a hat, every day." The supporting cast includes Gamba Cole as Rudy Kember, a tech expert and John’s confidant at MI5, and Omid Djalili as Qasem Asadi, the suspected mastermind behind the possible attack—a role that adds yet another layer of tension and uncertainty to the unfolding drama.
Filming in Liverpool and Manchester provided the series with a distinctive visual identity and a palpable sense of place. Shaun Evans, who has deep family ties to Liverpool, expressed his excitement about shooting on home turf: "To be up north was brilliant. They were a really funny, hard-working crew, and to be seeing parts of Liverpool in a way that I hadn’t seen them, having access to certain parts of the city, that was just amazing. A very special time in my life." Romola Garai echoed the sentiment, sharing that she enjoyed exploring the city’s museums, galleries, and food scene during production: "It was a real treat to explore the food scene and galleries." Zahra Ahmadi, meanwhile, was struck by the city’s architecture and musical history, recalling, "The architecture is stunning, and then of course there’s the musical history and the food scene too, which is incredible."
The show’s creators have woven together a narrative that is as much about the fragile, tangled web of human relationships as it is about the high-octane world of international espionage. The tension between loyalty and deception, the personal and the professional, is at the core of every episode. As John Hughes becomes increasingly convinced that the threat may be closer to home than anyone realizes, the question looms: can he identify the real target and avert disaster before it’s too late?
Viewers can expect a series that doesn’t just trade in plot twists and action sequences, but also asks difficult questions about the cost of secrecy and the true meaning of loyalty. With its strong ensemble cast, atmospheric locations, and timely themes, Betrayal looks poised to become ITV’s next watercooler drama. Whether you’re a fan of spy thrillers, character-driven stories, or simply looking for something new to obsess over on Sunday nights, this series is set to deliver.
As the credits roll on the premiere, one thing is clear: Betrayal isn’t just another espionage drama—it’s a sharp, emotionally charged exploration of the lines we cross and the truths we hide, both in the service of country and in the name of love.