Shaun Evans is set to star in a brand new spy thriller for ITV – and it’s not to be missed.
The actor, best known for his role in the detective drama Endeavour, plays MI5 agent John Hughes, who attempts to “stop a serious and sinister threat to national security while carving out his own place in the world.”
Written by David Eldridge, Deception is described as an “emotionally intelligent, tense and darkly funny thriller” and is set in both London and Manchester.
What is the show about?
The drama follows John, who joined M15 during the war on terror and was “on the front lines in preventing the largest terrorist attacks on British soil”.
“He is now in his mid-40s, married with two children, and is struggling to adapt to the new MI5, where the threats to national security have changed and he is forced to adapt to the values of a progressive working environment,” the summary reads.
“On a hunch, John meets Ehsan, a British-Iranian man with ties to Manchester gangsters who claims to have intelligence on a plot on British soil. Before he can share any intelligence, Ehsan is executed by a lone gunman and John impulsively kills the assassin in retaliation. This sets in motion a chain of events that brings John into direct conflict with his superiors who are furious that he has become embroiled in a gang war in Manchester. Suspecting there is more to it, John begins to dig into Ehsan’s past. He knows he will have to redeem himself if he is to save his career and reputation, as he struggles with his own mental health after killing a man.”
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As the show progresses, John’s attempts to salvage both his career and marriage are put to the test by intelligence agent Mehreen, who is brought in to take John’s place at the Iran bureau. “Their connection is electric, and John must wrestle with temptations he would succumb to as a younger self,” the synopsis continues. “Wrestling with his own demons, his love for his family, and his complicated loyalties to the institution he has been a part of for more than 20 years, John sets out to uncover the truth about the explosive security threat facing the United Kingdom before it’s too late.”
Shaun said of his new role: “I am delighted to be returning to ITV with this exceptionally well-written and timely project. “It’s a great privilege to see David Eldridge again and bring his insightful take on the world of espionage to life. And of course it’s a pleasure to be working with the world-class team at Mammoth Screen once again. I look forward to sharing it with ITV audiences soon.”
Although ITV has not yet announced a release date, filming for the series is set to begin in early 2025.
