ITV’s latest thriller Protection kicked off on Sunday, 16 March. Described as “gripping” by the broadcaster, the show is based on the first-hand experiences of a long-serving witness protection officer.
Starring Siobhan Finneran as DI Liz Nyles, Protection explores the murky world of crime and corruption. The drama also features the likes of Katherine Kelly, Barry Ward, Nadine Marshall, Jodie Price and Andrew Knott and was initially released in the US and Canada last year via BritBox.
As ITV viewers tuned into the first episode, many were left shocked by some graphic scenes which showed a dog being shot along with the gruesome aftermath. Taking to social media, some fans shared their thoughts on the “brutal” scenes.
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ITV)
“Oh the dog did get shot! OMG,” one person wrote, while a second added: “Started watching #protection on @itv They shot the dog I’m done.”
A third Protection viewer said: “Nooooo not the dog…,” and somebody else commented: “I’m sorry you can kill whoever you want but you can never ever ever harm the dog #Protection.”
A fifth ITV viewer wrote on social media: “Why kill the dog? Whats he gonna do? Talk to the police?? #protection.” Another said: “That was brutal! #protection.”
While Protection will continue airing on ITV on a weekly basis, the entire six-part series has been released on ITVX to allow fans to binge-watch the full programme.
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ITV)
The show’s complete synopsis explains: “Based on the first-hand experiences of a long serving witness protection officer, Protection is about what happens when the system breaks down. It’s about a police officer, Detective Inspector Liz Nyles, who finds herself at the heart of such a breach; personally compromised by an affair with a colleague, but determined to fight back, and uncover the true source of corruption within her unit. To redeem herself, the reputation of her lover, and to keep her witnesses safe.
“Even if they don’t always deserve it. Navigating the morally-grey, clandestine world of witness protection, Liz’s mission to find the truth will take her deep into the heart of the criminal underbelly and beyond as she becomes more and more torn between caring for her family, her loyalty to her lover and her duty as a police officer.
“This is the story of a smart, tough cop, out of her depth in a world where nothing is as it seems. With a deft narrative that engages from the outset, Kris Mrksa creates suspenseful twists and with every hairpin turn perfectly navigates the story to ensure the audience won’t know who to believe and who is telling the truth.”
Protection will air on Monday, 17 March on ITV1 at 9pm. All episodes are available to stream on ITVX.
