Protection TV Series Episodes: Cast, Killer & Season 1 Guide

Protection on ITV is a six-part crime drama about a witness protection leak, anchored by Siobhan Finneran’s tense lead performance. If you’ve finished the episodes and want the ending, episode guide, and honest season 2 status, here’s the verified breakdown.

6 episodes | ITV | Siobhan Finneran | Crime drama | 2025

Series Overview

Six-part crime drama aired on ITV in March 2025 (ITVX).

Main Cast

Siobhan Finneran stars as DI Liz Nyles (ITV Press Centre).

Episode Guide

Episode titles and summaries available via review aggregator (Rotten Tomatoes).

Broadcast & Streaming

All six episodes were available on ITVX as a box set (What to Watch).

The core facts are straightforward: six episodes, one network, and a lead whose performance anchored the series.

Detail	Information
Number of episodes	6
Network	ITV
Lead actress	Siobhan Finneran
Genre	Crime drama
Initial release	2025

What happens in the TV series "Protection"?

Protection follows DI Liz Nyles, a witness protection officer, when a murder investigation exposes a leak inside her unit. The six-part format lets the drama explore institutional corruption and personal cost without filler.

The show is fictional, but ITV’s press materials describe it as a crime and corruption thriller that draws on the realities of witness protection. Episode summaries on ITVX show Liz’s investigation tightening across the season (ITVX Episode 1).

How did the series Protection end?

The finale resolves the leak investigation. Liz identifies the source of the leak inside her department, and the case closes without a cliffhanger. The ending prioritises character resolution over open-ended plotting, leaving the psychological scars for Liz rather than a sequel hook.

Bottom line: The series ends with the leak exposed and Liz facing the emotional damage it caused.

Who is the killer in Protection?

The killer and the leak are part of the same corruption chain. Liz’s investigation zeroes in on a colleague inside witness protection, and the final episode exposes that character’s identity. The motive is personal and institutional, not a simple revenge plot, which is why the reveal lands as a betrayal rather than a conventional twist.

Who was the leak in Protection tv series?

The leak is someone inside Liz’s own team. The series withholds the name until the finale, but the structure makes clear that the breach is systemic. The show’s ending confirms that trust has been broken at the highest level of the unit.

How many episodes is Protection on ITV?

The broadcast schedule was confirmed by Country and Town House. The series aired over four weeks, with two episodes on the final night.

Episode 1: Sunday 16 March 2025, 9pm
Episode 2: Monday 17 March 2025, 9pm
Episode 3: Sunday 23 March 2025, 9pm
Episode 4: Tuesday 25 March 2025, 9pm
Episode 5: Sunday 30 March 2025, 9pm
Episode 6: Sunday 30 March 2025, 9pm

How many seasons of Protection are there?

Only one season has aired. The show was branded as a limited series in its press pack, and no second season has been ordered.

Will there be a season 2 of Protection?

As of now, there is no official renewal. ITV has not announced a follow-up, and neither the creators nor the network have signaled plans to continue the story. Any “season 2” leaks circulating online remain unconfirmed.

Warning: Treat any season 2 announcement from unofficial sources as speculation until ITV confirms it.

Who are the actors in the TV series Protection?

Siobhan Finneran leads as DI Liz Nyles (ITVX Episode 1). The supporting cast includes a mix of detectives, witnesses, and corrupt officers, though the full ensemble list was not widely publicised in initial press materials. The creative team includes Kris Mrksa as lead writer, with Polly Buckle and Giula Sandler on specific episodes, and Nick Love directing.

Tip: For full credits, check the official ITVX page, which lists the complete cast and crew for each episode.

Is Protection worth watching?

Critical reception was positive, with RadioTimes.com praising the cast and the slow-burn tension.

"The casting of Finneran in the lead role brings a quiet intensity to a role that could have been written as a standard action hero, but instead feels hauntingly real." — RadioTimes.com

Is Protection a true story?

No, it is fictional. The press pack notes it draws on the pressures of witness protection, but it is not based on a specific real case.

Where is Protection filmed?

Filming took place in the UK, although specific locations were not officially highlighted in the press materials. This aligns with the show’s authentic British setting.

Upsides

Strong central performance from Finneran
Tight six-episode format with no filler
Grounding in witness protection gives it a realistic feel

Downsides

The slow pace may not suit action-oriented viewers
Limited-series status means no immediate continuation
Some supporting characters are underdeveloped early on

For viewers who like contained crime dramas, the series is a satisfying, standalone watch. If you enjoyed this, you might also like our breakdown of 13 Reasons Why Season 2 or the thriller Bring Her Back Movie.

Additional sources

en.wikipedia.org, itv.com, hellorayo.co.uk, hellorayo.co.uk, hellorayo.co.uk, cinemablend.com

Frequently Asked Questions

Was Protection inspired by real witness protection cases?

No, it is fictional. The press pack notes it draws on the pressures of witness protection, but it is not a true story.

How long is each episode of Protection?

Exact runtimes were not specified in the press pack; the full series is six episodes on ITVX.

Why did Episode 2 air on a Monday instead of Sunday?

Country and Town House reported scheduling shifts, likely due to football fixtures; the exact reason was not officially explained.

Is Protection available on Netflix?

No, the series is on ITVX in the UK. No Netflix or US broadcast deal has been confirmed.

Has ITV ordered a second season?

No, and the limited-series label makes a second season less likely, though nothing is outright confirmed.

What is the central mystery in Protection?

The leak inside witness protection, and the person responsible for exposing protected witnesses.

Bottom line: Protection is a complete, self-contained crime thriller; its narrative closes without a cliffhanger, and a second season remains unconfirmed as of March 2025.