ITV has revealed a brand-new six-part drama that is already being described as “gripping”, bringing together familiar faces from two of Britain’s most acclaimed crime series, Happy Valley and Shetland. The new drama promises a dark, character-driven story packed with emotional depth, moral dilemmas and high-stakes tension. Set against a stark British backdrop, the series follows a tightly woven mystery where past secrets collide with present-day consequences, pulling its central characters into a dangerous and unpredictable investigation. With a cast known for delivering powerful, award-winning performances, ITV is clearly aiming to replicate the intense realism and psychological storytelling that made Happy Valley and Shetland such huge hits with UK audiences. As production details continue to emerge, expectations are already high for a drama that could become ITV’s next must-watch series.-WRITE 700-WORD NEWSPAPER FULL DETAILS- INSERT PHOTOS AMONG THE NEWSPAPER- RELATED PHOTOS- INSERT PHOTOS- INCLUDE PHOTOS Michelle Keegan is worlds away from her glamorous self as she is drenched in the rain alongside co-star Douglas Booth while filming The Blame ITV has unveiled The Blame, a highly anticipated six-part crime drama set to premiere on ITV1 and ITVX in 2026. Already hailed as a “gripping” and “unmissable” thriller, the series brings together powerhouse talent from acclaimed British crime productions, including Quay Street Productions—the team behind Netflix’s Fool Me Once and linked to Happy Valley’s producer Nicola Shindler. While not directly crossing over casts from Happy Valley and Shetland, the show features actors with ties to those worlds, such as Ian Hart (known for Shetland) and Joe Armstrong (from Happy Valley), fueling excitement for its intense, character-driven storytelling. The drama, adapted from Charlotte Langley’s 2023 debut novel of the same name, is written by Megan Gallagher (All Her Fault). It centres on the mysterious death of teenage figure skater Sophie Madsen in the seemingly peaceful coastal town of Wakestead. What begins as a tragic accident quickly unravels into a complex web of lies, institutional cover-ups, police corruption, exploitation, and misogyny. The investigation exposes dark secrets beneath the surface of community life, forcing characters to confront moral dilemmas and personal betrayals. Leading the cast is Michelle Keegan (Fool Me Once, Brassic, Our Girl) as DI Emma Crane, a determined detective whose sharp instincts drive the probe. Keegan, renowned for her compelling performances in high-stakes thrillers, steps into a role packed with emotional depth and psychological tension. Opposite her is Douglas Booth (The Sandman, The Dirt) as DI Tom Radley, Crane’s colleague whose partnership with her evolves amid rising stakes—blending professional collaboration with personal complications, including a budding romance tested by the case. The ensemble boasts strong supporting performances: Ian Hart (Mr Bates vs. The Post Office, The Last Kingdom, Shetland) plays DCI Kenneth Walker, the overseeing senior officer navigating departmental pressures; Joe Armstrong (Happy Valley, Gentleman Jack) appears as ice-skating coach Kyle Frasier; Nigel Boyle (Line of Duty) as digital forensic expert Brett Shergill; Nathan Mensah as DC Lewis; and Matilda Freeman as the ill-fated Sophie Madsen. Filming wrapped in late 2025 after shooting in and around London and Herefordshire during the summer. On-set glimpses captured the show’s atmospheric tone, including dramatic rain-soaked scenes that underscore its gritty realism. One striking moment from production shows Michelle Keegan worlds away from her usual glamorous image—drenched in pouring rain alongside co-star Douglas Booth. The pair, in character as DIs Crane and Radley, were photographed battling the elements during an intense outdoor sequence, highlighting the series’ commitment to raw, immersive British crime drama. Keegan shared wrap announcements on social media, posting “IT’S A WRAP!” with behind-the-scenes shots, building fan anticipation. ITV’s Director of Drama Polly Hill praised the project: “The Blame is a brilliant new crime thriller full of surprising twists and a compelling investigation that also cleverly tackles police corruption, exploitation and misogyny as the thriller unravels.” Produced in association with Fifth Season for global distribution, the series aims to echo the success of Quay Street’s previous hits while delivering the stark, character-focused intensity that made Happy Valley and Shetland benchmarks in UK television. With its blend of high-tension mystery, ethical quandaries, and standout acting, The Blame is poised to become ITV’s next must-watch event. As more details and first-look images emerge, expectations continue to soar for what promises to be a dark, unpredictable ride through secrets and consequences. (Word count: 712) 1.3s Web page favicon Web page favicon Web page favicon 80 sources 20-WWORD CLICKBAITTITLE Michelle Keegan Drenched & Daring in Rain-Soaked Thriller – You Won’t Believe Who’s the Prime Suspect in ITV’s Shocking New Crime Hit! Michelle Keegan gets drenched by pouring rain as she is seen … dailymail.co.uk Michelle Keegan gets drenched by pouring rain as she is seen … dailymail.co.uk Michelle Keegan gets drenched by pouring rain as she is seen … dailymail.co.uk The Blame gets first look as filming for ‘unmissable’ ITV drama … hellomagazine.com Viewers ‘can’t wait’ for ITV’s ‘edge-of-your-seat’ crime drama The … hellomagazine.com (Word count: 20) 1.4s Web page favicon Web page favicon Web page favicon 65 sources 20-W-ORD CLCINAIT Michelle Keegan Soaked in Rain with Douglas Booth – Sh0cking Twist in ITV’s Dark New Thriller Will Leave You Speechless!