ITV fans are already comparing new show Protection to BBC’s Line of Duty.
The new six-part drama stars Happy Valley actress Siobhan Finneran as DI Liz Nyles, who is an officer for the UK Protected Persons Service – the UK’s name for witness protection – and balances work with a complicated home life and racy affair.
She’s focused on keeping gangster-turned-informant Jimmy McLennan safe along with his wife and daughter, but the parents are murdered at a safe house.
Liz is worried that her affair with married DS Paul Brandice (Barry Ward) is simply a case of him using her to get information about the witnesses.
The hints of corruption and secrets have already reminded viewers of Line of Duty, with many people positively comparing the two shows.
Here is what you need to know.
What are people saying about ITV’s Protection?
‘New Line of Duty vibes🤩 #Protection,’ wrote @hazemerelda on X, as @blue_laur11 added: ‘#Protection is giving vibes of The Bay and Line of Duty I love it !!’
The compliments have been pouring in, with some people struggling to turn away as they flooded to ITVX to binge-watch the series.
‘Fully recommend Protection on ITV. Already chewed through four episodes,’ admitted @EarlsJohn.
And @PGUK78 tweeted: ‘#Protection is possibly ITV’s best crime drama in years!’
However, not everyone has been quite so kind, with others comparing Protection to Line of Duty in a less favourable way.
‘Everyone involved in Protection owes Jed Mercurio a few quid. A Poundland Line of Duty with a waste of fine acting talent,’ blasted @Planet_Belfast.
‘This Drama is ok, but has this story not been done before? Just feels like a tired format and nothing new. #protection,’ wrote @kelly_xm_,
However, even critics of the show heaped praise on Finneran, even if they had issues with the series as a whole.
‘#Protection is trying too hard. Too much is happening in too short a time. Siobhan Finneran is a great actor, but viewers barely have time to absorb all the twists,’ tweeted @Gregom10.
‘The story can’t breathe on ITV where the ads take as much airtime as the drama. It needs to slow down.’
The series has been created by White House Farm writer Kris Mrksa, and he was inspired after speaking to a former witness protection officer.
![NEW PICTURES FOR ITV AND ITVX PROTECTION EPISODE 1 Pictured: SIOBHAN FINNERAN as Liz Nyles and KATHERINE KELLY as DCI Hannah Wheatley. This photograph is (C) NEW PICTURES productions and can only be reproduced for editorial purposes directly in connection with the programme or event mentioned above, or ITV plc. This photograph must not be manipulated [excluding basic cropping] in a manner which alters the visual appearance of the person photographed deemed detrimental or inappropriate by ITV plc Picture Desk. This photograph must not be syndicated to any other company, publication or website, or permanently archived, without the express written permission of ITV Picture Desk. Full Terms and conditions are available on the website www.itv.com/presscentre/itvpictures/terms For further information please contact: patrick.smith@itv.com](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/SEI_243828742-016c.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
‘As I learned more about the day-to-day realities of witness protection, it became evident that this is an area of policing that has more in common with the world of espionage than the operations of a traditional police unit,’ he said.
‘Secrecy and subterfuge are part of the daily routine of witness protection officers, and security breaches can lead to life-threatening disaster.
‘In other words, the perfect setting for a le Carré-esqueconspiracy thriller rather than a straightforward crime drama.’
Meanwhile, Finneran is hoping viewers will take to DI Nyles as the series goes on, with the character ‘trying to keep a balance between personal and professional’.
She added: ‘So hopefully her character will resonate with loads of people – until that all gets blown up, of course.’
