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FACT OR FICTON?

Is The Suspect based on a true story?

A NEW highly anticipated crime thriller The Suspect is coming to ITV.

But is this brand new series based on a true story? Here's everything you need to know.

Is The Suspect a true story?

The Suspect focuses on the story of clinical psychologist Dr Joseph O’Loughlin - whose picture perfect life suddenly begins to fall apart when he finds himself at the centre of a murder case.

But viewers tuning in will be surprised to know that The Suspect is not in fact based on a true story.

Instead it is entirely a work of fiction.

Is The Suspect based on a book?

The answer is yes - this brand new ITV crime drama is based on best-selling fiction writer, Michael Robotham's debut novel, The Suspect which was published in 2004.

The Suspect is ITV's brand new crime drama
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The Suspect is ITV's brand new crime dramaCredit: ITV

Michael is one of only five writers, including John Le Carré and Ruth Rendell, to twice win the UK Gold Dagger Award for best crime novel.

The Suspect is the first book in the nine-part series focusing on the character, Joseph O'Loughlin.

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Who is in the cast of The Suspect?

Producers of BBC's Line of Duty are once again bringing a stellar cast to our screens.

And we have everything you need to know.

Aidan Turner

Aidan Turner stars as leading character Dr Joe O'Loughlin
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Aidan Turner stars as leading character Dr Joe O'LoughlinCredit: ITV

Actor Aidan Turner is best known for starring as Ross Poldark in BBC One's Poldark.

You may also recognise him for his roles in The Clinic, Being Human and Desperate Romantics.

And his credits don't stop there - he has also starred in the historical drama Leonardo and mystery thriller And Then There Were None, before playing Kíli in the Hobbit franchise.

Turner has been cast as The Suspects leading character Dr Joe O'Loughlin - a clinic psychologist caught up in a murder case.

Speaking about his latest role, Turner said:  "I am thrilled to be taking on the complex and demanding role of Joseph O’Loughlin, a man with so much to give but so much to lose, and a hidden darker side."

Shaun Parkes

Shaun Parkes will star as The Suspects maverick detective DI Ruiz
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Shaun Parkes will star as The Suspects maverick detective DI Ruiz

Actor Shaun Parkes first rose to fame after appearing in 1999's Human Traffic - and ever since he has been a constant on our screens.

He has starred in Doctor Who, Casanova, Notes on a Scandal, The Mummy Returns and Lock, Stock.

And he isn't one to shy away from a role in a crime drama.

Parkes has starred as the detective in BBC Two's Moses Jones before taking on roles in The Inspector Lynley Mysteries, ITV's Identity, Death in Paradise, Silent Witness and Line of Duty

Parkes will play The Suspect's police detective, DI Ruiz - who has been solving murders for years and has seen his fair share of crime.

Speaking of the show's gripping storyline, he said:  "I could not work out what was going to happen. All I knew was there was something more going on here. As soon as I read that, I was in.

''And you really don’t know who is responsible for this murder, as it unfolds you realise, ‘Wow’. That a story like this can happen you have people who really are that devious in their thinking."

Anjli Mohindra

DI Devi is played by Anjli Mohindra
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DI Devi is played by Anjli Mohindra

Anjli Mohindra is a British actress best known for her roles in The Sarah Jane Adventures, The Inbetweeners, Law & Order: UK, Beaver Falls and Legends of Tomorrow.

Since then she has appeared in Bodyguard, Wild Bill, Dark Heart, Doctor Who and more recently Vigil as Surgeon Lieutenant Tiffany Docherty.

Mohindra was cast in The Suspect as DI Devi -  a detective who is relatively new to murder, with this being only her fourth case.

Speaking on her character Anjli Mohindra says: “Devi is a hot shot police detective sergeant who hasn’t quite found her tribe yet. She wants to climb the ranks within the police force but murder isn’t necessarily where she wants to end up.

''It’s a stepping stone for her to get to the next level of her career. She is incredibly tenacious and super smart. There’s an awareness that she is fast tracking her way up the ladder.

“She is partnered with Detective Inspector Vince Ruiz, played by Shaun Parkes. He’s a bit of a maverick cop who likes to do things based on instinct while she is very by the book. So they make a very unlikely duo.”

Angela Griffin

Angela Griffin will star as Melinda in The Suspect
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Angela Griffin will star as Melinda in The SuspectCredit: Rex Features

Actress Angela Griffin is a regular face in the world of TV - and many of you may recognise her from much-loved programmes such as Coronation Street, Waterloo Road and Mount Pleasant.

She has also appeared in Midsomer Murders, Turn Up Charlie, White Lines, Choose or Die and Channel 4's Help.

Adding another title to her acting credits, Griffin has been cast as Melinda in The Suspect - an old colleague of Joe's from his younger days of practising psychology, and he needs her help, but first their past needs to be revisited.

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The cast also stars:

  • Adam James as Dr Gerald Jack Owens
  • Camilla Beeput as Julianne O'Loughlin
  • Bobby Schofield as Bobby Moran
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