Michelle Keegan is set to return to television in a new ITV drama titled The Blame, a six-part crime thriller arriving this September on ITV and STV, as reported by multiple outlets. The series, adapted from Charlotte Langley's debut novel of the same name, centres on detectives investigating a death in the fictional town of Wakestead, where secrets, lies and corruption gradually surface. Keegan plays DI Emma Crane, while Douglas Booth co-stars as DI Tom Radley. The cast also includes Ian Hart as DCI Kenneth Walker, Nathan Mensah as DC Lewis Brimah, Nigel Boyle as digital forensic technician Neil Shergill, Joe Armstrong as ice skating coach Kyle Frasier, Matilda Freeman as Sophie Madsen, Gavin Spokes as DC Joel Stevens, Josh Bolt as DC Douglas James and Ceallach Spellman as PC Callum Drummond.
Plot and Production
According to ITV's official teaser, as reported by the Daily Record and Liverpool Echo, The Blame "dives into secrets, suspicion and systemic corruption - all under the surface of this seemingly quiet town." The story begins with a tragic death that sends shockwaves through Wakestead, but as the investigation progresses, it spirals into a web of lies, institutional cover-ups and moral compromise. Keegan's character, DI Emma Crane, must navigate both the murder probe and the treacherous politics within her own team as trust fractures.The series was written for television and executive produced by Megan Gallagher, who previously worked on All Her Fault and Wolf. Quay Street Productions produced the show, with Matt Strevens serving as series producer and Sara Huxley as co-producer. Bex Rycroft directed episodes 1-3 and Claire Tailyour directed episodes 4-6. Filming took place in and around London, according to the Daily Record.