A former Bridgerton star has secured a role in a new ITV drama described as a provocative love story. The six-part series, titled Adultery, is expected to air later this year and explores the tumultuous consequences of an affair between two married parents.
Plot Overview
The series follows Tom and Beth, two married individuals who meet while their teenage children, Ollie and Jess, are dating. As they struggle with undeniable desires, they must grapple with guilt and the potential fallout for their families. ITV describes the show as raising questions about class, grief, and the effects of social media, taking viewers on a rollercoaster ride of passion, parenthood, and peril.
Cast and Characters
Shelley Conn, known to Bridgerton fans as Lady Mary Sharma in season two, portrays Hannah, the wife of Tom, played by Dominic Cooper. Conn's character is a key figure in the entangled relationships. The cast also includes Romola Garai as Beth, Matthew McNulty as Beth's husband Neil, Andrew Knott as Dave, and James Murray as Paul. Former Emmerdale actress Charley Webb, who played Debbie Dingle from 2002 to 2021, appears as Leah Kirkman, Tom's sister-in-law.
Shelley Conn's Role
Conn told Digital Spy that the show's structure makes it original: "What makes it even more original is that adultery has been featured in storytelling since marriage was invented, but it’s different because the way it’s structured. You’ve got the couple who are having the affair, but in addition to that, they are also connected because their teenagers are also in a relationship with each other, so there’s lots of these overlapping relationships and it means it goes further and deeper."
Production Details
Adultery is created by Danny Brocklehurst, known for Fool Me Once and Brassic, and produced by Poison Pen Studios. The full synopsis reads: "Adultery introduces us to Tom’s 15-year-old daughter Jess, who has found love with schoolmate Ollie, and they can’t take their hands off one another, as love’s young dream becomes all-consuming. When Tom meets Ollie’s mum Beth in the most unexpected of circumstances, the two families’ lives are potentially turned upside down forever. Will Tom and Beth be able to control their desires unlike their lovestruck teenagers?"
The series is set to premiere later in 2026 on ITV1 and will be available for streaming on ITVX.
