Shaun Evans stars as a troubled MI5 operative trying to save national security

Set in the clandestine world of MI5, new espionage thriller Betrayal looks set to be our next TV obsession.

Starring Endeavour and Vigil‘s Shaun Evans as a troubled MI5 operative, attempting to avert a serious threat to national security while at the same time making sense of his own place in the world, Betrayal is promised to be “emotionally intelligent, thrilling and darkly funny,” according to ITV.

Set between London and Manchester, filming started earlier this year, with show writer David Eldridge commenting: “I’m thrilled be working with ITV and Mammoth Screen on Betrayal, an espionage drama rooted as much in the trials and betrayals of family life as in the bloody, dangerous business of spying. It’s also a pleasure to be collaborating again with Shaun Evans for whom I have created the show’s leading role – out-of-favour intelligence officer John Hughes.”

Huw Kennair-Jones, ITV Drama Commissioner, also commented: “David has created a fascinating character in John Hughes, a complex man trying to navigate his way through the evolving world of espionage as he also tries to save his marriage. We’re thrilled that Shaun Evans will be bringing John to life as he reunites with the brilliant team at Mammoth to make what is sure to be an exciting and compelling drama.”

Mammoth’s founder and Chief Creative Officer, Damien Timmer, also shared: “As a long-standing fan of David Eldridge’s work, and having collaborated with Shaun Evans on many hours of Endeavour, it’s a pleasure to be working with them on the story of John Hughes, a likable but flawed man struggling to find his place in the modern world and a character I hope ITV audiences will take to their heart. David’s scripts examine the fragile psychology of a middle-aged man caught between family and work, but in John’s case his work is protecting the security of our country, and the stakes could not be higher.”

Betrayal: Plot

This is a high-stakes spy thriller, set in motion by threats to national security. The ITV show description reads: “John Hughes joined MI5 during the war on terror and was at the forefront of averting the biggest terrorist plots on UK soil. Now in his mid 40s and married with two children he’s struggling to adapt to the new MI5, where threats to national security have changed and he’s forced to adapt to the values of a progressive work environment.

“On a hunch John meets Ehsan, a British Iranian man with links to the Manchester gangland who claims he has intelligence about a plot on UK soil. Before he can share intel, Ehsan is executed by a lone gunman, and John impulsively kills the assassin in retaliation. This triggers a chain of events which puts John in direct collision with his superiors who are furious that he appears to have got involved in a Manchester gang turf war. John thinks there’s more to it than that and starts digging into Ehsan’s past. He knows he’ll have to redeem himself if he’s to save his career and reputation, all the while struggling with his own mental health after having killed a man.”

This definitely sounds like a dark drama, but it’s not just struggles with his career that John has to deal with. His marriage is also tested by Mehreen, an intelligence operative brought in to take over John’s duties on the Iran desk. ITV describe their connection as “electric,” adding that “John must wrestle with temptations his younger self would readily have surrendered to. Struggling with his own demons, his love for his family and his complicated loyalty to the institution he’s been part of for over 20 years, John sets out to find the truth of the explosive security threat to the UK before it’s too late.”

Betrayal: Cast

The team behind Betrayal are keeping their cards close to their chest with this series. The only confirmed cast member so far is Shaun Evans (Endeavour, Vigil), who will take on the lead role, a character written especially for him.

With a plot that revolves around MI5, we’re expecting some big hitters from the world of TV crime.

Speaking about his role in the show, Evans said: “I’m delighted to be returning to ITV with this exceptionally well written and timely project. It’s a great privilege to reunite with David Eldridge and bring to life his insightful take on the world of espionage.”

Betrayal: Trailer

As excited as we are for Betrayal, we’ll have to wait a little while for a trailer for the espionage thriller. Until then, we’ll keep our eyes peeled and update you as soon as it drops.

Betrayal: Release date

We’re sorry to say that there’s no confirmed release date for Betrayal just yet, but we’re hoping that it’ll be in 2025. We do know it’ll be on ITV and ITVX. As always, you’ll be the first to know when we get any news by checking back here.