‘Innocent’ is returning for a second series.
The ITV drama has been commissioned for a new run of four hour long episodes, with Katherine Kelly taking the lead as school teacher Sally Wright, who is fighting to prove her innocence against all odds in a new story from show writers and co-creators Chris Lang and Matt Arlidge.
She said: "I’m thrilled to be working on this complex and thrilling drama by Matt Arlidge and Chris Lang.
"I look forward to bringing the mix of Sally’s fragility and quiet strength to life."
‘Innocent II’ will focus on the scandal that rocked the small Cumbrian town of Keswick in 2015 involving school teacher Sally, who was alleged to be having an affair with her 16-year-old pupil, Matty Taylor.
Jamie Bamber joins the cast as Sally’s husband Sam, while the likes of Priyanga Burford, Shaun Dooley, Amy-Leigh Hickman, Lucy Black, Michael Yare and Andrew Tiernanare also part of the ensemble.
Huw Jennair Jones – ITV’s Drama Commissioner – commented: "Innocent II is a thriller which keeps you guessing to the very end. Chris and Matt’s brilliant scripts are compelling and the characters incredibly relatable. We’re thrilled to be working again with TXTV and Chris Lang on a second instalment of Innocent."
In a press release, the BBC added: "When Matty is found dead, brutally stabbed with a broken cider bottle, suspicion falls upon Sally who had admitted to taking special interest in the boy.
"In spite of having no criminal record, no history of violence and vehemently protesting her innocence and the fact she couldn’t be placed at the remote beauty spot on the day Matty was found murdered, Sally was convicted by a majority verdict and sentenced to a minimum of 15 years in jail.
"The new four-part series opens with Sally in the dock of Carlisle Crown Court, steely and determined to prove her innocence and that she’s been the victim of a terrible miscarriage of justice.
"As she waits for the jury to deliver on her appeal, Sally contemplates how she’s lost everything she holds dear."