ITV has announced the full cast for its new four-part crime-drama series Betrayal, led by Shaun Evans as an MI5 officer facing personal and professional turmoil. Written by David Eldridge and directed by Julian Jarrold, the series explores espionage and midlife crisis. It premieres on February 8, 2026.
The series follows John Hughes, a mid-career MI5 officer played by Shaun Evans, who encounters a British-Iranian informant connected to Stockport gangland claiming knowledge of a UK plot. Before the informant can disclose details, he is executed, and Hughes kills the assassin in self-defense, triggering an internal investigation.
Hughes faces scrutiny from his superior Simone Grant, portrayed by Nikki Amuka-Bird, while his partner Claire Wardly, played by Romola Garai, struggles with the secrecy of his work. His attempts to salvage their marriage are hindered by his obsession with the case. He finds an ally in Mehreen Askari-Evans, an intelligence operative (Zahra Ahmadi) assigned to take over his duties.
Evans, who also produces the show, described his character: "It’s about someone having a midlife crisis. Things are no longer working for John and he’s trying to find a way forward. His relationship is falling down around his ears, and he no longer has the respect at work for his maverick qualities. His body is beginning to fail and his currency in the world is changing. If you set that against the world of international espionage, it becomes a very interesting dual story."
The full cast includes Gamba Cole as Rudy Kember, Omid Djalili as Qasem Asadi, Matthew Tennyson as Greg Taylor, Elhaim Karimpour as Mona Taremi, Hayley Tamaddon as Fatemah Feyzi, Aidan Rivers as Jordan Ainsworth, Paddy Rowan as Wesley Ewen, Corin Silva as Karlson Griffiths, Waj Ali as Eshan Taremi, Gwen Dattani as Negin Taremi, Eliza Agrosoaie as Marta Vasilescu, Ashley Zhangazha as Blakefield, Julia Watson as Collette Wardly, Julian Wadham as Graham Wardly, Ben Lambert as Martin Leonard, and Agni Scott as Dr Helen Stratakis.
Produced by Mammoth Screen, part of ITV Studios, Betrayal is described as thrilling, suspenseful, and sexy. The first episode airs at 9pm on Sunday, February 8, 2026, followed by the second on Monday, February 9, at the same time. The remaining episodes follow the next week, with all available on ITVX from February 8.
