Beyond Paradise Star Embraces Darker Role in New ITV Drama Betrayal
Actress Zahra Ahmadi, best known for her role as DS Esther Williams in the popular BBC series Beyond Paradise, has opened up about her intense new part in the upcoming ITV drama Betrayal. The star described the transition as moving to "a very different beast" compared to her previous work.
From Light-Hearted Spin-Off to Gritty Intelligence Drama
Speaking during an appearance on This Morning with hosts Ben Shephard and Cat Deeley, Ahmadi contrasted her new role with her character in the Death in Paradise spin-off. "There's a real lightness about Beyond Paradise, even if we sometimes deal with quite serious issues, there is a lightness about it, a lightness of touch," she explained. "This is much darker. It's really different, and it's nice to do different things."
In Betrayal, Ahmadi plays intelligence operative Mehreen Askari-Evans, a significant departure from the police procedural world of Beyond Paradise. The drama stars Shaun Evans as John Hughes, a mid-career MI5 officer navigating a transformed intelligence landscape while confronting personal demons.
Physical Demands and On-Set Challenges
The actress revealed the physical toll of filming certain scenes, particularly one sequence that required multiple takes. "In one particular scene, we did a minimum of 10 takes, and by the end of it, I was so exhausted," Ahmadi confessed. "Genuinely, it took me about a month for my hamstrings to recover because I was running in Doc Martins with heels."
She humorously noted that only on the penultimate take did their stunt coordinator suggest switching to trainers. While Ahmadi admitted she didn't perform all the stunts herself, she thoroughly enjoyed the "tamer" action sequences. "It's really fun, it's really high adrenaline and you know you're in a safe environment so you can enjoy the fun side of that," she said, though she added she couldn't match co-star Evans's sprinting pace.
Plot Details and Character Dynamics
Betrayal follows Evans's character John Hughes, an MI5 officer who joined during the war on terror and once helped thwart significant terrorist plots. Now in his mid-40s with a family, he faces a rapidly evolving security landscape and progressive work environment. The drama's synopsis reveals a complex narrative involving:
- John's impulsive killing of an assassin after a British Iranian informant is executed
- Collision with superiors who believe he's involved in Manchester gang conflicts
- His investigation into the informant's past to redeem his career and reputation
- Struggles with mental health following his lethal actions
- Temptations presented by Ahmadi's character Mehreen, who takes over his duties
The series explores John's battle with personal demons, his love for family, and his loyalty to the institution he's served for over two decades as he races to uncover a security threat to the UK.
Broadcast Details and Anticipation
Betrayal premieres on Sunday 8 February at 9pm on ITV1 and streaming platform ITVX. The drama represents a significant genre shift for Ahmadi, whose performance in Beyond Paradise alongside Kris Marshall has earned her recognition in lighter television fare.
The actress's comments highlight the contrasting tones between the two series, with Betrayal offering viewers a grittier, more intense viewing experience compared to the sun-soaked mysteries of her previous show. As Ahmadi embraces this "different beast" of a role, audiences can anticipate seeing the actress in a dramatically new light when the series airs.
