Protection
DI Liz Nyles dons many hats; she’s a detective, a caretaker, a mother and a mistress. Trouble ensues when all these different parts of herself collide in a case that rattles her world. Protection follows witness protection agent, Liz, tasked with keeping the McLennan family and their daughter, Amy, safe from criminal Eddie Crowther. A breach in security at the safehouse in which the family reside throws a spanner in the works, leaving two people dead and one injured, including fellow officer and Liz’s married lover, Paul Brandice. DCI Hannah Wheatley heads the investigation into the murders, and tensions rise between the two women. Hannah’s suspicion of Liz leads the latter to gather evidence and investigate secretly, which subjects her to further scrutiny. The ITVX release is an interesting peer behind the curtain of witness-protection programs and the suffocating environment these can create, and an exploration into the cold-hearted and corrupt world of criminal work.
Siobhan Finneran perfectly fits the role of Liz. She’s soft, caring and full of empathy. But she’s also persistent and strong in her convictions, often challenging authority, especially when people’s lives are at stake. Still, there’s an innate selfishness to her character. Her tired weariness of her situation – rebellious daughter, an estranged relationship with her father whom she’s the caretaker for – leads her vulnerable self into the affair with Paul. It’s one she will go to great lengths to protect. Katherine Kelly’s performance as Hannah, whose clinical and assertive approach to her investigations leaves no room for sympathy. She’s the perfect foil to Liz. Beyond Hannah’s suspicion of Liz, there’s a competitive undercurrent to the two women’s dynamic that’s fascinating to witness.
But the highlight of the series are Tilly Kaye and her standout performance as Amy McLennan, and Alec Newman as the intimidating criminal, Edward. Tilly embodies well the suffocation and claustrophobia a child would feel in her situation. There’s a certain impatience and naivete to the character that will both endear and frustrate the audience. On the opposite end, Newman is a menacing and calculated antagonist that’s easy to hate.
The plot is high-stakes and thrilling, with several scenes of violence and chase sequences sprinkled throughout. However, Protection focuses less on the action and the physical thrill of police and investigation work and more on building character connections. These connections keep the series intriguing, exploring how a relationship between two people links to the crimes committed and how these minute and varied dynamics connect to form one big picture. Every character is suspicious, and the series frames it in a way that will leave the audience untrusting of everyone on-screen. This is best reflected in Paul and Liz’s relationship. The flashbacks to their affair are tinted in soft blurs and a brightening filter, implying Liz’s false perception of Paul and the deceit in their relationship. This echoes the theme of lying for the greater good versus sticking to honesty for self-integrity.
Protection boasts an interesting premise and an excellent cast. However, parts of it lull and meander, losing the audience’s attention. The gradual unfolding of the corrupt mystery surrounding Liz is supported and kept interesting by end-of-the-episode cliffhangers, making Protection a fine addition to the genre.
Mae Trumata
Protection is released on ITVX on 16th March 2025.
Watch the trailer for Protection here:
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