Clear your TV schedule immediately - ITV is bringing us an unmissable new crime thriller that's set to be as creepy as it is captivating! Say hello to The Blame, a six-part drama that features a mysterious death, police corruption, exploitation and misogyny. Starring Fool Me Once’s Michelle Keegan and produced by Happy Valley’s Nicola Shindler, we think it's a partnership made in crime thriller heaven.

Based on the 2023 novel of the same name by Charlotte Langley, The Blame follows DI Emma Crane (Michelle Keegan) and her colleague DI Tom Radley (Douglas Booth) who are called to investigate when - mysteriously - the body of a teenage figure skater is found in the quiet town of Wakestead. What follows isn't for the faint-hearted, as the pair uncover a web of lies, cover-ups and eerily dark secrets.

While we wait for the The Blame to arrive on ITV, here’s everything you need to know about the new crime thriller, including the cast, plot and how to watch it.

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What is The Blame about?

As we mentioned, the six-part drama follows DI Emma Crane (played by Michelle Keegan) and her colleague DI Tom Radley (Douglas Booth) who are tasked with investigating a shocking murder that rocks a sleepy town. “When the body of teenage figure skater Sophie Madsen is discovered, [it sends] shockwaves through the town of Wakestead,” the official synopsis reads.

douglas booth, the blame
ITV

“As DI Crane and DI Radley dig deeper, what starts as a tragic death spirals into a tangled web of lies, institutional cover-ups, and moral compromise. As the clock ticks and trust fractures, Crane must navigate both a murder investigation and the treacherous politics inside her own team.”

ITV’s Director of Drama, Polly Hill, says: “The Blame is a brilliant new crime thriller full of surprising twists and a compelling investigation that also cleverly tackles police corruption, exploitation and misogyny as the thriller unravels.”

the blame
ITV

The show’s lead writer and executive producer, Megan Gallagher, added: “The Blame is such an important and urgent story to tell; I’m so grateful to have had the opportunity to bring Charlotte Langley’s world and characters to life on screen. It’s my second collaboration with Quay Street Productions, and it’s great to be working with the team again - I’m truly in the best hands.”

Nicola Shindler and Richard Fee, executive producers for Quay Street Productions, have also teased that there are very exciting things to come, saying: “We are so delighted to be working with Megan again, she is an exceptional writer who has written a compelling series taking viewers on a twisty journey to discover what really happened through the lens of a contemporary police station brimming with secrets, corruption, and betrayal. We are also thrilled at the brilliant cast led by Michelle and Douglas, who will keep viewers on the edge of their seats, wondering who to trust at a time when the themes explored in The Blame are more relevant than ever.”

Who’s in the cast of The Blame?

michelle keegan, fool me once
Netflix

The cast of The Blame includes:

  • Michelle Keegan (pictured above in Fool Me Once) as DI Emma Crane
  • Douglas Booth as DI Tom Radley
  • Ian Hart as DCI Kenneth Walker
  • Nathan Mensah as DC Lewis
  • Nigel Boyle as Brett Shergill
  • Joe Armstrong as Kyle Frasier
  • Matilda Freeman as Sophie Madsen
  • Gavin Spokes as DC Joel Stevens
  • Josh Bolt as DC Douglas James
  • Ceallach Spellman as PC Callum Drummond

Is Charlotte Langley’s book any good?

Yes - Charlotte Langley's book the same name is a truly gripping read, weaving together psychological drama, police procedural, and political thriller elements. First published in 2023, it’s her debut novel and it’s made a big impact - it's being made into a TV series, after all!

How can I watch The Blame?

the blame
ITV

ITV hasn't yet shared a release date for The Blame, but we do know that the series is being filmed in and around London. As soon as we have a confirmed date, we'll share it here.

What other Michelle Keegan dramas can I watch now?

michelle keegan, fool me once
VISHAL SHARMA//Netflix

We’d highly recommend watching Michelle Keegan's impeccable turn in Harlan Coben thriller Fool Me Once. In the tense drama, which you can watch now on Netflix, she plays Maya, who's shocked to see her murdered (or so she thought...) husband on a secret nanny cam. The warm-hearted, caper-filled series Brassic, in which she plays Erin, the mother figure of a chaotic group of lovable rogues, is also worth a watch. You can stream all six series in full on NOW.