ITV’s Protection fans spot HUGE blunder in show’s plot as gritty drama shocks with its violent scenes – did you?
ITV’s new drama Protection has gripped viewers with its brutal action and tense storyline – but eagle-eyed fans have spotted a major blunder.
As the gritty series delivered a shocking episode packed with violence and high-stakes drama, some viewers were left distracted by what they claimed was a glaring mistake.
Taking to social media, fans called out the error – but did you spot it?
ITV’s new thriller, Protection, has been hailed as “gripping” after its premiere on Sunday night.
The six-part series is based on the real-life experiences of a witness protection officer.
The series stars Siobhan Finneran as DI Liz Nyles, delving into the grim world of crime and corruption.
The cast also features Katherine Kelly, Barry Ward, Nadine Marshall, Jodie Price, and Andrew Knott.
Created by Kris Mrksa, the plot follows a single mum, juggling a difficult divorce and a sick father who finds herself at the heart of a security breach within her witness protection unit.
When a family she is looking after fall foul to a deadly game, she must take a frightened and traumatised 12-year-old girl under her wing who may prove more vital to piecing together this mystery than she could have ever realised.
However, many viewers spotted a huge plot blunder when the single mum left her child with her dad who has dementia.
Taking to X – formerly Twitter, one viewer wrote: “She just left the witness with her dad who’s got dementia #Protection.”
Another said: “#Protection. Why isn’t the kid with social services? With a man she doesn’t know all day and now in the care of a man with dementia?”
A third chimed in: “#Protection Blimey, she’s so dodgy. And she shouldn’t promise to keep the girl safe.
“And now she goes out and leaves the kid alone with her dad.”
Many viewers were also left shocked at the graphic content involving the shooting of a dog and its grisly aftermath.
One said: “Oh the dog did get shot! OMG”.
Crime dramas on ITVX
Crime drama buffs have a wide selection of choices on ITVX - here is a selection of some of the programmes available to binge.
- Professor T: Based on a Belgian TV series of the same name, former Death in Paradise lead Ben Miller plays the title character. Professor Jasper Tempest is a criminologist with OCD who helps the police solve crimes. The cast also includes Emma Naomi, Barney White and Andy Gathergood.
- The Beast Must Die: This series follows a mother’s grief for her son, who was killed in an accident. Nicholas Blake’s novel of the same name has been adapted for the programme. Stars include Cush Jumbo, Jared Harris, Billy Howle and Geraldine James.
- Red Eye: Starring Richard Armitage, Jing Lusi and Lesley Sharp star in this six-part thriller, which mostly takes place during an all-night flight between London and Beijing. With dead bodies piling up and a mystery to unravel, the heroes must work fast to get to the truth.
- The Twelve: This Australian drama originally aired as a miniseries in 2022, with the episodes dropping in the UK in February 2023. Four months later, the show was renewed for a second season. Jurassic Park star Sam Neill stars in the leading role of barrister Brett Colby.
- Manhunt: Martin Clunes stars in this drama based on true murder investigations. Series one focused on the death of Amélie Delagrange, which took place in 2004, while the second depicted the search for serial rapist Delroy Grant.
Another added: “Why kill the dog? What’s he gonna do? Talk to the police?? That was brutal! #protection.”
A third penned: “I’m sorry you can kill whoever you want but you can never ever ever harm the dog #Protection”.
As Liz’s personal and professional life begin to crumble beneath her, can she outrun the forces that are deadset against her?
Protection is available to stream on ITVX or watch on Sundays at 9pm on ITV1.