Michelle Keegan is set to return to television screens in a gripping new ITV drama packed with secrets, corruption and unexpected twists.
The actress, best known for her roles in Fool Me Once and Brassic, stars alongside Douglas Booth in The Blame, a six-part thriller arriving on STV and ITV this September. ITV and Quay Street Productions have now released the first trailer for the series, offering viewers a closer look at the mystery at the heart of the new drama.
Murder investigation in Wakestead
Keegan plays DI Emma Crane, while Booth takes on the role of DI Tom Radley as the pair investigate a tragic death that sends shockwaves through the fictional town of Wakestead. What begins as a murder investigation soon becomes much more complicated as the detectives uncover a web of lies, institutional cover-ups and moral compromise.
As Crane digs deeper into the case, she has to deal with growing suspicion and a lack of trust within her own team, while the investigation exposes secrets that threaten to tear the town apart.
Fans react to the trailer
Following the release of the trailer, viewers were quick to take to social media to express their delight at Keegan returning to their TV screens. Taking to X, formally known as Twitter, one fan wrote: "Oooh… I do love a good Michelle Keegan drama… will be watching all the way from Switzerland."
While another stated: "Can’t wait @michkeegan missed you on our screen doing what you do best."
Cast and production details
The six-part series is based on Charlotte Langley's debut novel of the same name and promises a mystery filled with complex characters and unexpected twists. The Blame has a star-studded cast. Alongside Keegan and Booth, the cast includes Ian Hart as DCI Kenneth Walker, Nathan Mensah as DC Lewis Brimah and Nigel Boyle as digital forensic technician Neil Shergill.
Joe Armstrong plays ice skating coach Kyle Frasier, while Matilda Freeman stars as Sophie Madsen. The Wakestead Police team also includes Gavin Spokes as DC Joel Stevens, Josh Bolt as DC Douglas James and Ceallach Spellman as PC Callum Drummond.
The Blame has been written for television and executive produced by Emmy Award nominee Megan Gallagher, who has previously worked on the TV series All Her Fault and the thriller Wolf. The drama is produced by Quay Street Productions, with Matt Strevens serving as series producer and Sara Huxley as co-producer. Bex Rycroft directs the first three episodes, with Claire Tailyour directing episodes four to six.
The series has been filmed in and around London and will air on STV and STV Player in Scotland, with viewers in England also able to watch on ITV1 and ITVX. With a murder investigation at its centre and a police team forced to confront its own secrets, The Blame looks set to be a major new drama to watch this autumn. The Blame arrives on STV this September.
