ITV announces ‘heart-stopping’ new crime thriller from acclaimed writer of hit series Silk

ITV has revealed an exciting new addition to its drama slate: Saviour, a gripping courtroom and crime thriller created by debut screenwriter Imran Mahmood.

Peter Moffat will also be joining the team as an executive producer after his success with creating Silk and Criminal Justice.

Set to air on ITV1, STV, ITVX, and STV Player, Saviour intertwines two compelling storylines that delve into themes of justice and morality.

At the heart of the drama is Ben, a promising medical student who attends a fancy-dress party dressed as a police officer.

His night takes a dark turn when he witnesses a woman being attacked and intervenes, urged on by a bystander mistaking him for an actual cop.

The confrontation escalates into a fatal encounter in a tunnel, and Ben is the only one who emerges alive.

Panicked, Ben turns to his father Eddie, a respected police officer, for help.

Eddie guides his son through the aftermath, but as the investigation unfolds and some of his secrets are revealed, Ben’s motives for the killing start to be questioned.

At the same time as Ben's life starts to unravel the audience is introduced to Indy, a tenacious criminal barrister whose hard-earned success masks personal struggles.

Admired for her intellect and work ethic, Indy’s seemingly perfect life with her supportive husband and teenage daughter begins to fall apart when she takes on Ben’s case.

As she faces police corruption, media frenzy, and a client withholding the full truth, Indy is forced to confront her own buried secrets - and those have the potential to jeopardise her career and family life.

Saviour was created by Imran Mahmood, a criminal barrister turned screenwriter, who has promised to deliver an authentic portrayal of the justice system.

Imran, known for his novel You Don’t Know Me, shared his excitement about his new project saying: "I’ve always wanted to use my experience as a criminal barrister to explore the real criminal justice system at work—both its strengths and its failings.

"There is no better medium than the screen to explore it."

Nisha Parti, the BAFTA-nominated producer of The Boy with the Topknot, added: "I have always been a fan of the courtroom drama and am excited to bring a new version from a different perspective that feels unexpected and authentic.

"Polly Hill and ITV have been incredible in seeing the potential in this story and supporting us every step of the way."

Helen Ziegler, ITV’s Senior Drama Commissioner, will oversee the production alongside Parti and Drama Republic.

Polly Hill, ITV’s Director of Drama, praised the series saying: "The script delivers a compelling case that hooks you from the start, and it introduces us to a great new leading character in Indy.

"With Imran’s legal expertise and such a talented production team, audiences can expect all the twists and surprises they crave."

Casting for Saviour will be announced closer to filming, which begins in 2025.