A New British Crime Thriller
ITV has launched its latest crime drama, The Blame, a six-part series that debuted on September 20. The show, which is available on ITV1 and ITVX, features Douglas Booth and Michelle Keegan as a detective duo tasked with investigating the murder of a teenage figure skater in the fictional town of Wakestead. According to Stylist, the narrative quickly expands beyond a standard procedural, drawing the protagonists into a complex web of institutional cover-ups and moral compromises within their own police force.
The underlying reporting is available from cosmopolitan.com.
Based on the novel by Charlotte Langley and written by Megan Gallagher, the series aims to explore themes of systemic sexism and the culture of complicity. Booth and Keegan both noted that the script’s sharp focus on institutional failings was a primary draw for their participation in the project.
Behind the Characters
To ensure authenticity in their portrayals of DI Emma Crane and DT Tom Radley, the leads worked closely with real-life detective Lisa Farrand, who previously served as an advisor on the acclaimed series Happy Valley. Keegan noted to Stylist that Farrand’s presence on set was vital for the accuracy of interrogation scenes, providing a “safe pair of hands” for the production team.
For Douglas Booth, the role required a deeper engagement with the realities of police misconduct. He cited the BBC’s Panorama investigation into the Charing Cross police station as a key reference point for understanding the subtle, often ignored behaviors that contribute to a toxic workplace culture. “From a male point of view, I hope that men who watch it will also question some of their own behaviour,” Booth explained.
The Stakes of Silence
The core tension of The Blame centers on the difficulty of challenging authority. As Emma Crane attempts to navigate a male-dominated environment, the show highlights the personal and professional costs of speaking out. Keegan emphasized that her character, Crane, possesses a strong moral compass, making her a protagonist who actively fights against the corruption she encounters. The series is expected to build momentum toward its conclusion, with Booth suggesting that the final two episodes provide the most significant narrative payoffs.
Personal Life and Professional Path
Outside of his work on The Blame, Douglas Booth has maintained a high-profile career spanning television and film, including roles in The Sandman and The Riot Club. As Cosmopolitan and Hello! Magazine report, Booth is married to fellow actress Bel Powley. The couple, who met during a chemistry read for the 2017 biopic Mary Shelley, married in October 2023 at Petersham Nurseries. Powley, known for her roles in The Diary of a Teenage Girl and the upcoming HBO Harry Potter series, remains a significant figure in the British acting scene.