ITV's New Thriller Betrayal Showcases Northern Filming Locations
The highly anticipated ITV drama Betrayal premiered on Sunday, February 8, taking over the primetime slot from After the Flood. This suspenseful four-part series delves into the intricate world of MI5, exploring themes of trust, truth, and the personal costs of secrecy in modern intelligence operations.
Plot and Cast of the Riveting Drama
Featuring a stellar cast including Shaun Evans, Romola Garai, Zahra Ahmadi, and Nikki Amuka-Bird, Betrayal follows mid-career MI5 officer John Hughes, portrayed by Evans. The storyline revolves around Hughes navigating a rapidly evolving intelligence landscape while struggling to maintain his personal life. A chance encounter with a British Iranian informant linked to Stockport gangland sets off a chain of events, leading to an internal investigation and heightened scrutiny from his superiors.
As Hughes becomes convinced of a hardline faction of the Iranian regime's involvement, he partners with intelligence operative Mehreen Askari-Evans, played by Ahmadi. The drama intensifies as Hughes races to identify the target and avert an attack, all while grappling with enemies closer to home and the secrecy that defines his world.
Filming Locations: Liverpool and Manchester Take Centre Stage
Set against the backdrop of Liverpool, Betrayal was filmed extensively in and around both Liverpool and Manchester. The cast and crew have enthusiastically praised these northern cities for their stunning landscapes and vibrant urban environments, as reported by the Liverpool Echo.
Shaun Evans, who hails from Liverpool, shared his personal connection to the filming locations. "I spend a lot of time in Liverpool because my family are all there, so to be up north was brilliant," he said. "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."
Cast Members Laud the Cities' Charms
Romola Garai, who plays Claire Wardley, expressed her delight in exploring Liverpool during filming. "I had a very nice little apartment right by the docks, so I'd go on walks and go to all the museums, which was great," she remarked. "It was a city I don't know very well, so it was a real treat to explore the food scene and galleries."
Zahra Ahmadi also shared her admiration for the striking architecture and rich cultural heritage she discovered while filming in Liverpool and Manchester. "I loved it. 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 before Betrayal," she explained. "This time round, however, I got more time to explore, and 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."
Ahmadi even highlighted a culinary highlight, mentioning Maray's Disco Cauliflower as a must-try dish that blew her mind.
Premiere Details and Viewing Information
Betrayal made its debut on ITV1 and ITVX at 9pm on Sunday, February 8. The drama promises to captivate audiences with its thrilling narrative and the visually appealing settings of Liverpool and Manchester, adding an authentic northern flavour to the high-stakes world of espionage.
