ITV’s The Blame is a six-part crime drama starring Michelle Keegan and Douglas Booth.
They play two detectives investigating the murder of 16-year-old female figure skater, a case that draws them into a web of lies, cover-ups and corruption within their own team.
Adapted from Charlotte Langley’s novel and written by Megan Gallagher (All Her Fault), the synopsis reads as follows: “As DI Emma Crane (Keegan) and DI Tom Radley (Booth) dig deeper into what starts as a tragic death that sends shockwaves through the town of Wakestead, a murder enquiry soon spirals into a tangled web of lies, institutional cover-ups and moral compromise.
“As the clock ticks and trust fractures, Crane must navigate both a murder investigation and the treacherous politics inside her own team.”
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You can watch the trailer below.
Alongside Keegan and Booth, a number of familiar faces appear in The Blame, plus some you might not recognise.
Find the main cast rundown below.
The Blame cast
- Michelle Keegan as DI Emma Crane
- Douglas Booth as DI Tom Radley
- Matilda Freeman as Sophie Madsen
- Ian Hart as DCI Kenneth Walker
- Gavin Spokes as DC Joel Stevens
- Josh Bolt as DC Douglas James
- Joe Armstrong as Kyle Frasier
- Nathan Mensah as DC Lewis Brimah
- Ceallach Spellman as PC Callum Drummond
- Vikash Bhai as Kapil Manek
- Suanna Braun as Elaine Madsen
- Jamie Kenna as Gary Madsen
- Anya McKenna-Bruce as Chloe Radic
- Karen Ascoe as PC Kat Shaw
- Nigel Boyle as Neil Shergill
- Aaron Anthony as DC Mike Baxter
- Annabelle Dowler as Ava Crane
- Grace Saif as Jia Jennings
- Cache Vanderpuye as Theo Asaro
For more information about the characters and where you’ve seen the actors who play them before, read on.
Michelle Keegan plays DI Emma Crane
Who is DI Emma Crane? Keegan plays DI Emma Crane, one of the two central detectives investigating the killing of teenage figure skater Sophie Madsen, a case that steadily exposes institutional cover-ups and corruption close to home.
“As the case deepens, Emma’s pursuit of the truth puts her at odds with other detectives, and she finds herself in a moral dilemma.”
What else has Michelle Keegan been in? Keegan first became a household name as Tina McIntyre in Coronation Street before starring in the BBC military drama Our Girl and the Sky comedy Brassic. Most recently she led the Netflix thriller Fool Me Once as Maya Stern in 2024, and The Blame marks her first major acting project since giving birth to her daughter.
Douglas Booth plays DI Tom Radley
Who is DI Tom Radley? Booth plays DI Tom Radley, Crane’s fellow detective inspector and investigative partner on the Madsen case.
“He is astute and ambitious, and his reputation at Wakestead is on the rise. But as Tom and Emma dig deeper into the Sophie Madsen case, Tom finds his instincts tested.”
What else has Douglas Booth been in? Booth broke through playing Boy George in the BBC drama Worried About the Boy and Pip in the BBC’s Great Expectations. His film work includes Romeo & Juliet, The Riot Club, Darren Aronofsky’s Noah and the sci-fi blockbuster Jupiter Ascending.
Matilda Freeman plays Sophie Madsen
Who is Sophie Madsen? A 16-year-old figure skater who is found dead in a patch of woodland. She was with a police officer when she died.
“When Sophie comes across an injustice, she vows to do the right thing. But her relentless pursuit of the truth kicks off a chain of events that spiral out of her control.”
What else has Matilda Freeman been in? You might know her from Coronation Street and How to Get to Heaven from Belfast.
Ian Hart plays DCI Kenneth Walker
Who is DCI Kenneth Walker? Emma and Tom’s boss. He’s in a Whatsapp group with numerous other male colleagues, in which a number of problematic and offensive messages are regularly exchanged.
“As the Sophie Madsen case progresses, Walker must perform a precarious balancing act; secure justice for Sophie, while safeguarding the station’s reputation.”
What else has Ian Hart been in? Hart is a highly regarded character actor who played John Lennon in Backbeat and Professor Quirrell in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. His extensive television work includes The Last Kingdom and the acclaimed BBC drama The Responder.
Gavin Spokes plays DC Joel Stevens
Who is DC Joel Stevens? A member of Emma and Tom’s team, and one of the men in the Whatsapp group with Kenneth.
“When the Sophie Madsen case disrupts the status quo, Stevens fears that everything he has worked so hard for could slip away from him. He is determined to navigate his way through the investigation, with his career and social standing intact.”
What else has Gavin Spokes been in? You might recognise him from House of the Dragon, The Ipcress File, Better, Gone and The Undeclared War.
Josh Bolt plays DC Douglas James
Who is DC Douglas James? Another member of Emma and Tom’s team, also in the Whatsapp group. Like Kenneth and Joel, he enjoys engaging in “locker room talk”.
“He is observant and astute, watching and picking up on small details… filing them away for future use.”
What else has Josh Bolt been in? Last Tango in Halifax and Benidorm, among others.
Joe Armstrong plays Kyle Frasier
Who is Kyle Frasier? Sophie Madsen’s ice-skating coach. Kyle is initially the top suspect.
What else has Joe Armstrong? Armstrong is an English actor best known for playing Allan A Dale in BBC’s Robin Hood, and he has appeared in a range of British film and television dramas since.
Nathan Mensah plays DC Lewis Brimah
Who is DC Lewis Brimah? One of the newer members of the team. “Eager to impress DI Emma Crane, Lewis goes above and beyond in supporting the Sophie Madsen investigation. But Lewis is tested when faced with the toxic culture of Wakestead police station.”
What else has Nathan Mensah been in? This is his first TV role.
Additional cast:
- Ceallach Spellman (Waterloo Road, Cold Feet) plays PC Callum Drummond – as the Sophie Madsen case evolves, Drummond is forced to reflect on his past complacency and try to redeem himself.
- Vikash Bhai plays Kapil Manek – he used to work with Tom and is interviewed by the IOPC.
- Suanna Braun (Kaos) and Jamie Kenna (Coronation Street) play Elaine and Gary Madsen – Sophie’s parents.
- Anya McKenna-Bruce (Amandaland, Cleaning Up) plays Chloe Radic – Sophie’s best friend.
- Karen Ascoe (The Crow Girl) plays PC Kat Shaw.
- Nigel Boyle (Line of Duty) as Neil Shergill – Head of Digital Forensics.
- Aaron Anthony (Emmerdale) plays DC Mike Baxter.
- Annabelle Dowler (The Archers) as Ava Crane – Emma’s mum.
- Grace Saif (13 Reasons Why) as Jia Jennings – Lewis Brimah’s partner.
- Cache Vanderpuye (Invasion) plays Theo Asaro – Sophie’s boyfriend. They had recently broken up.
The Blame debuts on ITV1 and ITVX on Sunday 20th September.
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