Shaun Evans reveals how ITV’s Betrayal most differs from other spy thrillers

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Shaun Evans, known for his role in Endeavour, returns to ITV in a new four-part thriller called Betrayal. He plays an MI5 officer who is established in his career.

The show centers on John, played by Evans, who faces both a personal crisis and a serious investigation. He also begins to believe a radical group within the Iranian government is plotting an attack.

Evans explained that to create an authentic portrayal, they focused on making John relatable as an ordinary person and accurately depicting the everyday experiences of those working in the security services.

Evans felt the contrast between the intense stress of potentially dealing with international terrorism at work and the everyday demands of family life – like giving the kids a bath or doing laundry – offered a compelling way to explore the theme of a midlife crisis.

Evans explained they wanted John to feel like a normal, everyday person. The goal was to make him exciting and engaging, but also realistic and someone viewers could connect with. They aimed for a show that felt both fresh and current, while still being grounded in reality and relatable to audiences.

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The show features Romola Garai as Claire, John’s wife, and Zahra Ahmadi as Mehreen Askari-Evans, an intelligence officer who temporarily fills John’s role while he’s being investigated, alongside Evans.

The show will also star Gamba Cole, known for ‘The Outlaws,’ Omid Djalili from ‘His Dark Materials,’ Matthew Tennyson (‘Grantchester’), Hayley Tamaddon (‘Unforgotten’), Anthony Flanagan (‘House of the Dragon’), Paddy Rowan (‘G’wed’), and Waj Ali (‘Out There’).

Betrayal will premiere at 9pm on Sunday 8th February on ITV1 and ITVX in 2026.

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

Authors

James HibbsDrama Writer

James Hibbs writes about TV dramas for TopMob, covering shows on streaming services and traditional channels. Before becoming a writer, he worked in public relations, first at a business-to-business agency and then at Fremantle, an international television production company. He has a BA degree in English and Theatre Studies, and a Level 5 Diploma in Journalism.

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2026-01-29 03:04