As the corporation searches for a permanent replacement for departing drama executives Laura Mackies and Sally Haynes, ITV is adding a new crime drama to its line up. The commercial broadcaster has commissioned Sherlock producers Hartswood Films to produce a three-part drama serial titled The Guilty. The cast of the serial includes Tamsin Greig (Episodes), Katherine Kelly (Mr Selfridge), Darren Boyd (Spy) and Jamie Sives (Secret State).
Penned by Debbie O’Malley, The Guilty is set in both 2008 and the present day and follows DC Maggie Brand (Tamsin Greig) who investigate the dissapearance of a little boy named Callum Reid. In 2008, at a neigbourhood barbecue Claire Reid (Katherine Kelly) and Daniel Reid (Darren Boyd) relax amongst their friends and neighbours as little Callum plays contentedly with the other children. The evening sours, however, when after an alcohol fuelled evening tempers flare and a violent fight erupts at the barbecue. In the hours that follow Callum dissapears and nothing is ever the same again. Five years later, the body of Callum is found buried mere yards from his front door. Now a DCI, Brand leads the new investigation and will leave no stone unturned, and goes as far as risking her own happy family life with husband Jeb (Jamie Sives), to find out what happend to Callum.
Filming on The Guilty is currently underway and will continue through May. Hartswood Films are producing with Elaine Cameron serving as producer and Bery Vertue serving as executive producer. Ed Bazalgette is attached to direct the serial. His previous credits include A Mother’s Son and an episode of Endeavour, both also for ITV
