ITV is set to launch its latest high-octane drama, Betrayal, this Sunday, February 8, at 9pm—a series that promises to immerse viewers in the shadowy world of MI5 while laying bare the emotional toll espionage takes on personal lives. With a four-part structure, the show will air its first two episodes on consecutive nights, and, for those who prefer a binge-watch, the entire box set will be available immediately on ITVX following the premiere.
At the heart of Betrayal is John Hughes, portrayed by Shaun Evans, a seasoned MI5 officer whose career is as complicated as his home life. According to Liverpool Echo, the story blends the intense, high-stakes operations of Britain’s domestic intelligence agency with the raw, unraveling threads of a marriage under strain. John, a man who feels increasingly out of step in a modern, "progressive" intelligence service, finds himself at a crossroads both professionally and personally.
Written by acclaimed playwright David Eldridge and directed by BAFTA and Emmy nominee Julian Jarrold, Betrayal explores themes of trust, honesty, and the personal cost of secrecy. The show’s narrative kicks off with John acting on a hunch: he arranges a meeting with a British Iranian informant, a man with ties to the Stockport criminal underworld who claims to possess crucial intelligence about a terrorist plot on UK soil. But things go south, fast. As reported by Radio Times, before the informant can share his information, he is assassinated. In a split-second decision, John kills the gunman in self-defense. Rather than being celebrated as a hero, John finds himself under internal investigation, facing scrutiny from his superior, Simone Grant, played by Nikki Amuka-Bird.
The fallout from this deadly encounter ripples through John’s personal life. His wife, Claire (Romola Garai), is reaching her breaking point with the web of secrecy that defines John’s world. The emotional toll of his career is laid bare as Claire struggles to reconcile her love for John with the mental strain his work inflicts on their family. As the investigation deepens, John’s inability to let go of the case only complicates his efforts to salvage his marriage.
But the plot thickens. John soon meets Mehreen Askari-Evans (Zahra Ahmadi), an intelligence operative assigned to take over his duties. As the two work together, John becomes convinced that a hardline faction of the Iranian regime is involved in the plot. Yet, he can’t shake the suspicion that the real threat may be closer to home. The question that lingers: can John identify the target and prevent a catastrophic attack before it’s too late?
The ensemble cast is a veritable who’s who of British television, featuring not just Evans, Garai, Amuka-Bird, and Ahmadi, but also Gamba Cole, Omid Djalili, Matthew Tennyson, Hayley Tamaddon, Anthony Flanagan, Paddy Rowan, and a host of others. Notably, two of the cast—Shaun Evans and Paddy Rowan—are Liverpool natives, adding a local flavor to the production.
While Betrayal is set primarily in Manchester, much of the filming took place in Liverpool. According to Liverpool Echo, camera crews were spotted on Rumford Street in June 2025, and a pivotal scene was shot in Bootle Strand. Shaun Evans, reflecting on his time filming in his hometown, remarked, "I spend a lot of time in Liverpool because my family are all there, so 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."
His co-star Zahra Ahmadi echoed the sentiment, sharing her newfound appreciation for the city: "I'd worked in Manchester before for quite a considerable amount of time and I'm a big fan, but I had only ever been to Liverpool once. I'd never realised what a beautiful city it was. The architecture is stunning, and then of course there's the musical history and the food scene too, which is incredible."
The show’s broadcast schedule is designed to hook viewers quickly. Episodes one and two will air back-to-back on Sunday and Monday nights, taking over the slots previously occupied by After the Flood. For those who can’t wait, ITVX will release the full four-episode box set as soon as the first episode airs, allowing audiences to unravel the mystery at their own pace.
What sets Betrayal apart from other thrillers is its willingness to delve into the psychological and emotional costs of intelligence work. As John Hughes navigates the labyrinth of MI5 bureaucracy, he finds himself increasingly isolated—not just from his colleagues, who view him with suspicion, but from his own family. The show asks difficult questions: How much of oneself can be sacrificed in the name of national security before everything else unravels? And when trust is the rarest commodity, who can truly be trusted?
The supporting cast brings additional depth and nuance to the story. Romola Garai’s portrayal of Claire captures the anguish of a spouse left in the dark, while Nikki Amuka-Bird’s Simone Grant embodies the pressures and politics of leadership within MI5. Zahra Ahmadi’s Mehreen provides a fresh perspective, challenging John’s assumptions and offering a potential lifeline as he tries to piece together the conspiracy.
Production-wise, the series is a showcase for Liverpool and Manchester, two cities with rich histories and striking backdrops. The decision to film in these locations was not just practical but also thematic, grounding the high-stakes drama in real, lived-in environments. The architecture, the bustling streets, and the local color all contribute to the show’s authentic atmosphere, as highlighted by the cast’s own experiences during filming.
With its potent mix of suspense, emotional depth, and sharp social commentary, Betrayal is poised to become ITV’s next must-watch drama. Whether you’re drawn by the promise of a gripping spy story, the stellar cast, or the chance to spot familiar Liverpool landmarks on screen, this series has something for everyone. The question remains: in a world built on secrets, who will be left standing when the truth finally comes out?
For those tuning in, Betrayal offers not just a thrilling ride, but a window into the personal and professional sacrifices demanded by life in the shadows—a story as timely as it is timeless.