“Witness protection has always fascinated me – ever since little me watched Whoopi Goldberg don a habit and shack up with a convent of Maggie Smith-led nuns in Sister Act,” says Kayleigh. “Imagine giving up everything – your identity, your loved ones, even your cherished pet – and leaving without so much as a goodbye, all while knowing one misstep could endanger you and those you care about. It’s a chilling concept, especially given the mystery surrounding the UK’s witness protection service.

“Thankfully, ITV’s Protection delves into what happens when a protection officer finds herself in the midst of a deadly breach. Here are five reasons to stick it on your must-watchlist…

1. THE STORY
“Witness protection! Corrupt cops! An extramarital workplace romance that puts lives in danger! Honestly, Protection pulls zero punches as it shines a light on Detective Inspector Liz Nyles as she ventures deep into the criminal underbelly in a bid to keep her family and her witnesses safe – even if they don’t necessarily deserve it. Will the whipsmart detective be able to protect her clandestine lover’s reputation? Will she emerge with her own career intact? And will she pinpoint the leak in her department… before it’s too late?

2. THE ALL-STAR CAST
“Happy Valley’s Siobhan Finneran takes the lead in this one as DI Nyles, flanked by Trigger Point’s Nadine Marshall and the perennially brilliant Katherine Kelly. Barry Ward, Chaneil Kular, David Hayman, Nichola Burley and Akiya Henry also feature.

3. THE ‘TRUE STORY’ ELEMENT
“Not only is this a thriller with a capital T, it’s also based on the first-hand experiences of a long-serving witness protection officer – who just so happens to be a consultant in the series. 

“Throw in the fact that it’s penned by Kris Mrksa, the acclaimed writer of White House Farm and No Escape, and you can rest assured this one is going to be a Very Big Deal around the watercooler! Tune in, if only so you have something to talk about after Severance is finished…” Protection will air as a six-part series starting at 9pm on Sunday 16 March on ITV1 and ITVX.

“After two divisive bottle episodes, Severance has finally launched us back into the main story with one of its best episodes yet – and everyone is exactly where they need to be for this week’s finale,” says Kayleigh, whose notebook looks a lot like Irving’s frantic scribbles after the season’s penultimate chapter.

“Mark, Devon and Harmony are at the Severed birthing centre, Helly is determined to break into the testing floor (if only she can dodge her Outie’s dodgy dad) and Milchick might finally be cracking under the pressure. Irving may – or may not – be free. And Dylan? Much like Miss Huang, he’s out. Maybe for good. But what does it all mean?

“Honestly, the stakes have never been higher, especially for Gemma, whose very survival hinges on everyone stopping Cold Harbour’s completion. Unless, of course, Harmony’s ominous gold thimble reference is more than just a strange turn of phrase, but a nod to The Twilight Zone’s The After Hours, in which a woman discovers she was never real at all. If Severance is hinting at something similar, could it be that one or several of our characters are more than just ‘severed’? And, if so, is Lumon already in endgame mode of its twisted plan?

“With just one episode left, every thread feels like it’s tethered to a powder keg, poised for an explosive conclusion. Be sure to read my full episode nine breakdown (and all of the most compelling theories) before then, eh?” The Severance season 2 finale drops on Friday 21 March via Apple TV+.

“I feel like this new Netflix show has been generated by a list of all the things I love: Shonda Rhimes, quirky murder mysteries and Uzo Aduba. The Orange Is The New Black star plays Cordelia Cupp, an eccentric detective who has a murder to solve after a dead body is found on the third floor of the White House. It was made for me.” Thursday 20 March; Netflix

“TV’s bloodiest drama (and that’s saying something) is back for round three – the irony, then, that the trailer for Gangs Of London season three insists that ‘bloodshed is not the answer’. This season the chaos boils over after a dodgy drug shipment kills hundreds and former undercover policeman turned criminal Elliot (Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù) takes his place on the battleground.” Thursday 20 March; Sky and Now

“Inspired by a true story, this eight-part series is about Melissa Moore (Annaleigh Ashford), the daughter of Keith Hunter Jesperson (Dennis Quaid), a serial killer who was sentenced to three life sentences. Melissa has cut all ties with her father – until he offers to reveal the details of another unknown murder if she visits him.” Thursday 20 March; Paramount+