Siobhan Finneran, known for her powerful roles across British television, has returned to the small screen with ITV's gripping new thriller, "Protection." The six-part series, which aired its first episode on March 16, 2025, at 9 PM, delves deep behind the curtain of the witness protection system and the chaos when it fails. Finneran plays DI Liz Nyles, portraying both the pressures of her job and personal challenges as she navigates her role as a protector alongside dealing with family crises.
Finneran, who has become synonymous with high-drama series like "Happy Valley," "The Reckoning," and "Downton Abbey," now takes the lead as Nyles, who is not only tasked with protecting a family from sinister threats but also managing her complicated personal life. Juggling both her role as a detective and as caretaker for her ill father, she faces the added strain of her past decisions, including her secret affair with married colleague DS Paul Brandice, played by Barry Ward.
The opening episode sets the tone for the series, as viewers witness the stark failure of the protective system. Captions inform us there are around 3,000 people living under witness protection at any time, raising questions about the efficacy and security of the system. Unfortunately for the family Nyles is assigned to protect, their safety is compromised almost immediately. The parents fall victim to gunmen before the first ad break, leaving their young daughter Amy, played by Tilly Kaye, to hide for her life.
"Protection" introduces this high-stakes situation with Finneran's character immediately at the center, tasked with making sense of the chaos. Her character’s performance has drawn criticism for being unsympathetic due to her questionable decisions throughout the episode, particularly her handling of sensitive situations involving Amy, and her management of her affair with Brandice.
“Something must have gone wrong with our security protocols,” states another protection officer, Raj, emphasizing the failure of their duties. And it appears plausible as Nyles puts more trust in someone she should effectively be watching.
Before her role on "Protection," Siobhan was married to actor Mark Jordon, best known for his stint on "Heartbeat" as PC Phil Bellamy. The couple was married for 17 years and shares two children, Poppy and Joseph, both now young adults. Jordon has spoken fondly of their time together, recalling their proposal, saying, "I took her down to London for a romantic weekend." Nonetheless, the marriage ended amicably with their divorce finalized in 2014.
After her split, Finneran has been linked to actor Don Gilet, who recently joined the cast of “Death in Paradise.” They first worked together on "The Loch" in 2017 and were rumored to be dating since they were spotted together at the TV Choice Awards two years ago, where Finneran affectionately referred to Gilet as “my fella.”
Despite the chaos of her character's life, Finneran’s portrayal of Nyles is emblematic of her ability to mesmerize audiences with her performances. Critics have noted her ability to blend vulnerability with tenacity, making her one of the most compelling figures on television. She remarked, “I was so gripped by Protection I was shouting at the screen,” highlighting the script's engaging plot twists and compelling character narratives.
While the initial reception to "Protection" has revealed flaws—particularly surrounding logical consistency and exaggeration—one thing remains undisputed: Finneran shines as the leading lady, commanding attention and displaying formidable talent. With the series intended to explore the dark underbelly of witness protection, viewers are left eager to know how far Nyles will go to unearth the internal corruption within her agency and whether she can redeem herself, not only in her professional life but also personally.
Protection stands as yet another feather in Finneran’s cap, uniting her past narratives with her present challenges, reflecting on how our personal lives can impact our decisions and moral compass when faced with extraordinary circumstances. The series promises to maintain tension and excitement, exploring the depths of trust and betrayal.
Protection also encourages discussions about the witness protection system itself, with Finneran’s character at the helm of this morally complex narrative. With each episode, viewers will be eager to see how her storyline evolves—whether she learns from her past choices or whether those choices will seal her fate.
The tightly woven narrative, coupled with high stakes and rich character development, guarantees to keep audiences on the edge of their seats.