Protection ITV: who is in the cast and what time does it start? Full details

• Protection is ITV’s newest crime drama starting in 2025.
• The show revolves around the ‘high-stakes’ world of witness protection.
• But what time does it start and who is in the cast?

ITV’s new crime drama set in the ‘high-stakes’ world of witness protection is set to start in a few hours. It boasts a cast with plenty of familiar faces to regular watchers of British TV.

Protection follows DI Liz Nyles (Siobhan Finneran) after a devastating day at work which raises questions about the integrity of her unit. It comes following the conclusion of The Bay’s latest season this week.

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But who else is in the cast and what time does it start? Here’s all you need to know:

What time is Protection ITV?

The new crime drama will start on the broadcaster today (March 16) and the second episode will follow the following night (March 17). Unlike The Bay it will only air two episodes a week and will run for three weeks in total.

Each episode of Protection is due to start at 9pm, including tonight’s first instalment. They will run for around an hour and finish at approximately 10pm.

The full boxset is also available on ITVX, if you want to binge watch it right now. The app can be downloaded on Smart TVs, tablets, phones and more.

What to expect from Protection tonight?

The preview for the first episode, via Radio Times, reads: “Police officer DI Liz Nyles works in the secretive and high-stakes world of Witness Protection. One morning, a devastating incident at work raises grave questions about the integrity of Liz's unit, which is rocked with accusations of corruption.”

Who is in the cast of Protection?

The cast features a number of recognisable names and faces from British TV. Including a former Happy Valley star and a Coronation Street icon.

• Siobhan Finneran as DI Liz Nyles
• Katherine Kelly as DCI Hannah Wheatley
• Nadine Marshall as DCI Amanda Kelman
• Barry Ward as DS Paul Brandice
• Chaneil Kular as DS Raj Kholi
• David Hayman as Sid Nyles
• Nichola Burley as Gemma Brandice
• Akiya Henry as DS Sue Beardsley
• Alec Newman as Edward Crowther
• Tom Christian as DI Tommy Jardine
• Jodie Price as Jasmine Nyles
• Andrew Knott as DI Richard Bewley
• Ace Bhatti as DCI Arun Kapoor
• Tilly Kaye as Amy McLennan
• Charlotte Mills as DS Rachel Gordon
• Jonathan Cake as John Gibson
• Ian Pirie as Assistant Chief Inspector Rory Davenport
• Zora Bishop as Rezan Crowther
• Syrus Lowe as DC Noel Taylor
• Nick Moss as Freddie Howard
• Joseph Millson as Elliot Hughes
• Reuven Walker as Arlo Crowther
• Louise Lee as Nurse
• Naomi Yang as Irene Kim
• Kris Hitchen as Jimmy McLennan
• Adam Long as Patrick Ellis
• Waj Ali as Soran Ahmadi
• Anthony Flanagan as DCI Amos Wilson

Where do you know the actors from?

Protection’s main star Siobhan Finneran has had a long career in TV, including a stint on Coronation Street from 1989 to 1990. She played Janice Garvey in the first seven series of Benidorm and later played Clare Cartwright in Happy Valley - the sister of Sgt Catherine Cawood.

Coronation Street fans will spot another familiar face in the form of Katherine Kelly, who played Becky McDonald from 2006 to 2012. She also played Lady Mae in Mr Selfridge - and also appeared in the second series of Happy Valley.

The cast also includes Nadine Marshall who has had roles in shows such as Champion, Sherwood and Trigger Point. As well as other actors such as Barry Ward (Bad Sisters), Chaneil Kular (Sex Education), David Hayman (Sid and Nancy), Nichola Burley (The Gold) and Akiya Henry (Silent Witness).

Remind yourself of how The Bay’s latest series ended - including who was the killer. See the latest update on if it will return.