Michelle Keegan is to turn police detective in a new ITV crime drama, The Blame.
The former Coronation Street star is to play Detective Inspector Emma Crane in the upcoming series, which explores misogyny and police corruption In the show, Keegan's character will investigate the death of a teenage figure skater alongside DI Tom Radley, played by Douglas Booth.
The town of Wakestead is soon sent into shock and horror when the body of Sophie Madsen is discovered, and DI Crane soon finds herself navigating a murder enquiry, as well as the politics inside her own team amid a series of institutional coverups.
Starring alongside Keegan and Booth, are Mr Bates Vs The Post Office star Ian Hart will play DCI Kenneth Walker, with Joe Armstrong playing ice skating coach Kyle Frasier, with Nigel Boyle playing digital forensic technician Brett Shergill. Elsewhere, Coronation Street actress Matilda Freeman will portray murder victim Sophie.
House of the Dragon's Gavin Spokes, Cheaters' actor Ceallach Spellman, and Masters of the Air star Josh Bolt will also join the cast.
Running for six parts, The Blame is based on the debut novel from Charlotte Langley.
"The Blame is such an important and urgent story to tell; I'm so grateful to have had the opportunity to bring Charlotte Langley's world and characters to life on screen", lead writer and executive producer Megan Gallagher said.
Polly Hill, ITV's Director of Drama who will oversee the production added: "The Blame is a brilliant new crime thriller full of surprising twists and a compelling investigation that also cleverly tackles police corruption, exploitation, and misogyny as the thriller unravels".
"Megan is such a wonderful and clever writer, and with Michelle Keegan in the lead and (executive producer) Nicola Shindler at the helm, this is going to be an unmissable drama and one I'm very proud to have on ITV".
Quay Street Productions will produce this drama, which is set to begin filming soon in London.
Shindler and Richard Fee, executive producers for Quay Street Productions had this to say.
"We are so delighted to be working with Megan again, she is an exceptional writer who has written a compelling series taking viewers on a twisty journey to discover what really happened through the lens of a contemporary police station brimming with secrets, corruption, and betrayal", they stated.
"We are also thrilled at the brilliant cast led by Michelle and Douglas, who will keep viewers on the edge of their seats, wondering who to trust at a time when the themes explored in The Blame are more relevant than ever".
Back in March, Michelle Keegan and her husband Mark Wright welcomed the arrival of their first child. More on this here.
