Endeavour star’s new thriller Betrayal gets release date confirmed by ITV – and it’s soon

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Fans of Shaun Evans (known for his role in Endeavour) can mark their calendars! His new thriller, Betrayal, will premiere on ITV1 very soon.

This four-episode spy thriller, produced by Mammoth Screen, is set within the world of MI5 and focuses on the complex relationships between characters as they grapple with questions of loyalty and betrayal.

I’m so excited! The first episode is coming out at 9pm on Sunday, February 8th, 2026, and you’ll be able to watch it on ITV1 and ITVX. Even better, the second episode will be right after, in the same time slot the very next day!

This series, created by acclaimed writer David Eldridge and director Julian Jarrold, centers on John Hughes, an MI5 officer struggling to balance his demanding career with his personal life, particularly a marriage on the brink of collapse, all while navigating the changing world of intelligence.

The series begins with John encountering a British Iranian man who says he has information about a dangerous gang operating in Stockport. However, before the man can tell John – an MI5 agent – what he knows, he’s killed by an assassin. John then kills the assassin to protect himself.

John is unfairly put under investigation at work, and his bosses start questioning him. This makes him wonder if the person threatening him might be someone he knows.

The case continues to haunt him, adding even more stress to his troubled marriage. However, he unexpectedly finds help from Mehreen Askari-Evans, an intelligence officer assigned to replace him, portrayed by Zahra Ahmadi, known for her role in Eastenders.

When he started the job, Shaun Evans explained that he was immediately enthusiastic. He’d been talking with Tom Leggett, a fellow executive producer on ‘Betrayal,’ about collaborating again for around four and a half years.

I’ve always been fascinated by the world of spies, and we started thinking about what it would be like to explore the personal life of an MI5 agent – it felt like something fresh and unseen. We were lucky enough to get David Eldridge, a fantastic writer, to join us, and together, the three of us developed this story into a four-part series.

Writer and executive producer David Eldridge explained that the idea for ‘Betrayal’ started in late 2019 with a discussion with actor Shaun Evans. Evans expressed interest in playing a spy, and both he and fellow executive producer Tom Leggett were already familiar with Eldridge’s work.

I love writing roles that challenge actors and allow them to grow, and I’ve had good experiences doing that in the theater.

I have to admit, I was already intrigued. But when we met for coffee in a little Fitzrovia cafe and they started asking if I had any interest in the world of spies and espionage, I almost choked on my cortado! Seriously, ‘Was I interested?’ It was such a surprising question.

Nikki Amuka-Bird and Romola Garai are the latest actors to join the series, playing John’s boss and wife. Gamba Cole (known from The Outlaws), comedian Omid Djalili, and Matthew Tennyson (Grantchester) will also appear in the show.

The cast also includes Hayley Tamaddon, known from Coronation Street, Anthony Flanagan of House of the Dragon, and Paddy Rowan, who starred in Four Lives.

The new drama, Betrayal, will premiere on ITV1 and ITVX on February 8th, 2026, at 9pm. All episodes will be available on ITVX before they air on television.

Don’t miss ‘Betrayal’! Add it to your watchlist on the TopMob: What to Watch app. Download the app today for daily TV suggestions, exclusive content, and more.

Authors

Phoebe Kowhai BarnesFreelance Writer

Phoebe Kowhai Barnes is a freelance writer specializing in pop culture and entertainment for TopMob. Before that, she was a Senior Assistant Editor at The Tab, where she led their local team. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature from the University of Nottingham.

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2026-01-29 14:39