ITV has delivered a major blow to fans of its acclaimed crime drama Protection, confirming the show will not return for a second series.
Hit Drama Hailed as 'Next Line of Duty'
The six-part series, which first aired in the spring of 2025, quickly garnered a dedicated following. It starred Siobhan Finneran as Detective Inspector Liz Nyles, an officer working in witness protection whose world collapses when a security breach leads to the murder of a family under her care.
Dubbed the 'next Line of Duty' by enthusiasts, the show explored gritty themes of police corruption, organised crime gangs, and institutional mistrust. It featured a strong supporting cast including Katherine Kelly, Ace Bhatti, Andrew Knott, and Catherine Tyldesley.
Critical Acclaim Meets an Abrupt End
Despite the praise and significant audience reach, ITV has decided not to commission more episodes. A spokesperson for the broadcaster stated: "Protection was a great success, reaching over 8 million viewers. While there are no current plans to continue Liz Nyles' story, we're continuing to work closely with New Pictures on developing new drama projects in this area."
This announcement comes after viewers expressed their hope for a continuation on social media, with one calling it a "gripping must-watch drama" and another praising its "great storyline with plenty of twists."
What Drew Stars to the Project
In past interviews, lead actress Siobhan Finneran explained the immediate appeal of the script. She told ITV: "When I read the first episode, within minutes, there's a big event, a major disaster that draws you in immediately... It's a great hook and the story is so complex."
All episodes of the now-single series of Protection remain available for streaming on ITVX.
