ITV has confirmed that its crime drama Protection will not return for a second series, despite attracting over 8 million viewers. The six-episode show, which aired in spring 2025, followed DI Liz Nyles (Siobhan Finneran) as she navigated the complexities of witness protection.
The series took a dark turn when a security breach led to the murder of a family under Nyles' care. Praised by some as the 'next Line of Duty', the drama explored themes of corruption, organised crime, and institutional distrust within the police force.
Viewers had called for a second season, with one describing it as a 'gripping must-watch drama' and another praising the 'great storyline with plenty of twists'. However, an ITV spokesperson said: '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.'
The cast also included Katherine Kelly, Ace Bhatti, Andrew Knott, and Catherine Tyldesley. Finneran previously said she was drawn to the role by the 'big event' in the first episode that 'draws you in immediately'.
