Innocent TV Series (ITV Anthology Crime Drama)

Innocent is a British anthology crime drama that aired on ITV between 2018 and 2021, presenting standalone stories about wrongfully convicted individuals seeking to rebuild their lives after prison. Produced by TXTV productions, the series ran for two seasons, each offering a complete narrative with new characters.

The format distinguishes Innocent from conventional crime dramas. Rather than following a continuous storyline across multiple years, each season introduces viewers to a different protagonist who must navigate the aftermath of wrongful conviction while a fresh investigation unfolds. This anthology approach allows the series to explore varied themes around justice, trust, and redemption.

Season 1 premiered on ITV for four consecutive nights between 14 and 17 May 2018, while Season 2 followed in 2021. The series features established British performers in its lead roles, though information regarding international streaming availability remains limited based on publicly available sources.

Where to Watch Innocent TV Series

For viewers in the United Kingdom, the original broadcast and subsequent reruns of Innocent aired exclusively on ITV. The channel’s official website offers episode information and background materials. Based on publicly available sources, the series has not been widely distributed through major international streaming platforms, which may limit access for audiences outside the UK.

Streaming Availability Clarification

Search results do not confirm Innocent TV series on Netflix. A separate Spanish-language series titled “Innocent” exists on Netflix, which is not related to the British ITV anthology. Viewers searching for the British version through Netflix may encounter this unrelated alternative.

Key insights about the series:

• Produced by TXTV productions, first broadcast over four consecutive nights in May 2018
• Anthology format means each season tells an independent story with fresh characters
• Both seasons follow protagonists who were wrongfully convicted and must clear their names
• Season 2 shifts setting to the Lake District and reveals the protagonist’s innocence from the start
• British ITV broadcast confirmed; international streaming availability requires verification
• Lee Ingleby leads Season 1, while Katherine Kelly heads the ensemble for Season 2

Innocent TV Series Cast

The casting approach for Innocent brings together established British actors whose previous work aligns with the psychological intensity the series demands. Each season features a distinct ensemble, allowing performances to stand independently rather than competing against continuity expectations.

Season 1 Cast

Lee Ingleby takes the lead as David Collins, a man whose murder conviction is overturned on a technicality after seven years in high-security prison. The role requires Ingleby to portray the disorientation and determination of someone re-entering a world that has fundamentally changed during his incarceration.

Daniel Ryan plays Phil Collins, David’s faithful brother who stood by him throughout the imprisonment. Hermione Norris portrays Alice Moffatt, Tara’s sister, while Adrian Rawlins plays Alice’s husband Rob Moffatt. The investigation unfolds under the direction of Detective Inspector Cathy Hudson, played by Angel Coulby, and Detective Chief Inspector William Beech, portrayed by Nigel Lindsay.

The supporting cast includes Fionn O’Shea as Jack Collins, Eloise Webb as Rosie Collins, Elliot Cowan as Tom Wilson, Christina Cole as Louise Wilson, Hannah Britland as Melissa Wilson, Nicholas Asbury as Ryland Hudson, Tony Gardner as Detective Superintendent Hillman, Samuel Edward-Cook as Detective Constable Steve Beckton, and Zahra Ahmadi as Detective Sergeant Mari Luz Garcia.

Season 2 Cast

Katherine Kelly leads Season 2 as Sally Wright, a former English teacher who spent five years in prison for a murder she did not commit before returning to her hometown in the Lake District. Kelly’s previous credits include Happy Valley, Gentleman Jack, and Criminal on Netflix.

Jamie Bamber portrays Sam Wright, Sally’s ex-husband, in a performance that explores the complicated dynamics between former spouses after prolonged separation. Shaun Dooley takes the role of Detective Chief Inspector Mike Braithwaite, while Andrew Tiernan plays John Taylor, the father of the murder victim Matthew Taylor.

Additional supporting performers include Priyanga Burford as Karen Moss, Sam’s fiancée; Laura Rollins as Detective Sergeant Suzy Jones; Lucy Black as Maria Taylor, Matthew’s mother; Amy-Leigh Hickman as Bethany, Karen’s teenage daughter; Ellie Rawnsley as Anna Stamp, a key trial witness; Nadia Albina as Jenny, Sally’s journalist friend; Michael Stevenson as Detective Constable Dave Green; Janine Wood as Detective Constable Mia Hollins; Poppy Miller as Superintendent Denham; Krissi Bohn as headteacher Emily North; and Michael Yare as Alf, Jenny’s partner.

Notable Previous Work

Katherine Kelly previously starred in Happy Valley, Gentleman Jack, and Netflix’s Criminal. Jamie Bamber is best known for playing Apollo in Battlestar Galactica and roles in Law & Order: UK, Marcella, and Strike Back. Shaun Dooley has appeared in It’s A Sin, The Stranger, The Witcher, and Gunpowder. Andrew Tiernan played Ephialtes in the 300 films and Szalas in The Pianist.

Innocent TV Series Episodes and Season 2

Each season of Innocent consists of four episodes, structured for consecutive-night viewing that mirrors the intensity of a limited-run drama. This format creates momentum akin to a feature-length investigation compressed into a television schedule.

Season 1 Storyline

The first series centers on David Collins, whose seven-year imprisonment for his wife Tara’s murder ends when new evidence emerges that overturns his conviction. Rather than finding relief, David discovers that his freedom coincides with renewed police interest in the case. As investigators reopen the inquiry, dark secrets surface involving abuse, affairs, and financial troubles that had remained hidden during his incarceration.

The narrative positions David as both protagonist and suspect, creating tension between his desire to rebuild his life and the authorities’ continued suspicion. The supporting characters—his brother Phil, his sister-in-law Alice Moffatt, and the Wilson family—each hold pieces of information that gradually reshape understanding of what actually happened the night Tara died.

Season 2 Storyline

Season 2 shifts both geography and tone, placing Sally Wright in the Lake District following her release from prison. Unlike the first season’s mystery structure, viewers enter Season 2 knowing Sally is innocent, which fundamentally changes the dramatic stakes. The tension derives not from whether she committed the crime, but from discovering who actually did.

Sally’s return to her hometown forces encounters with former neighbours, colleagues, and former husband Sam Wright, whose circumstances have evolved during her absence. The investigation into Matthew Taylor’s murder follows a different pattern, with new evidence emerging that challenges the original prosecution’s foundation.

Innocent TV Series Variants and Related Content

The search results reveal several related searches that do not correspond to the British ITV series. These connections require clarification based on verified information from available sources.

Innocent TV Series Turkish

Publicly available sources do not provide confirmation of a Turkish television series titled Innocent that relates to this British anthology. International remake patterns exist in television drama, but documentation of a Turkish adaptation specifically connected to the ITV series was not found in the available search results.

Innocent TV Series and Jake Gyllenhaal

Jake Gyllenhaal has not been involved with the British ITV series Innocent. This connection may stem from confusion with the actor’s filmography, which includes several crime and thriller productions, but no verified link to the ITV anthology exists in available sources.

Netflix Spanish-Language Innocent

A separate series titled Innocent is available on Netflix as a Spanish-language production. This series is not related to the British ITV anthology despite sharing the name. The Netflix version features its own cast, storyline, and production team, representing distinct creative work that should not be confused with the TXTV-produced British drama.

Distinguishing the Series

The British ITV Innocent (2018-2021) is an anthology crime drama produced by TXTV. The Netflix series titled Innocent is a separate Spanish-language production with no connection to the British version. Search results did not confirm Turkish adaptations or any involvement by Jake Gyllenhaal with the British series.

Timeline of Releases

Understanding the series’ development helps contextualize its place within British crime drama programming. The following timeline reflects confirmed broadcast information.

1. May 2018: Season 1 of Innocent premieres on ITV, airing over four consecutive nights from 14 to 17 May
2. 2018–2020: The series completes its initial broadcast run with no immediate announcement of continuation
3. 2021: Season 2 airs on ITV, featuring Katherine Kelly and Jamie Bamber in leading roles
4. 2021 onward: The series concludes with two seasons, with no announcement of additional episodes or continuation

The gap between seasons spans approximately three years, which is not uncommon for British drama productions that require casting coordination and script development.

Clarifying Common Confusions

Audience searches reveal several areas of confusion regarding the Innocent series. The following comparison addresses established facts alongside topics that remain unverified based on available sources.

Readers seeking confirmation on streaming availability, international versions, or future plans may need to consult ITV’s official channels or local broadcast schedules for the most current information.

Series Context and Format Significance

The anthology format represents a deliberate creative choice that distinguishes Innocent from most British crime dramas. Where series like Broadchurch or Happy Valley build sustained narratives across multiple years, Innocent constructs complete four-episode investigations that resolve within each season. Viewers who enjoy these ensemble-driven crime dramas might also appreciate exploring the Better Call Saul Cast for comparable dramatic ensemble work.

This structure serves specific storytelling purposes. The wrongfully convicted protagonist trope allows immediate audience sympathy while avoiding the moral ambiguity that often complicates crime drama identification. Both David Collins and Sally Wright enter the narrative as victims of systemic failure, which simplifies character alignment without reducing dramatic complexity.

Themes of trust, redemption, and community pervade both seasons. Each protagonist must rebuild relationships damaged by false accusations while navigating continued suspicion from authorities and neighbours. The investigation that follows their release operates on dual levels: clearing their names and discovering the actual perpetrator.

The British crime anthology has precedents in series like The Bletchley Circle and Criminal: UK, though Innocent’s four-night broadcast pattern echoes older television traditions before streaming changed viewing habits. This scheduling choice creates event television rather than weekly anticipation.

Sources and Background

The primary sources for information about Innocent include the Wikipedia entry documenting production details, cast information, and broadcast history. Additional verification comes from RadioTimes casting coverage and IMDb episode records.

ITV’s official site provides broadcast confirmation and promotional materials for both seasons. The TV Guide archive documents plot summaries and casting details for Season 1.

The first series follows David Collins, who after seven years in high-security prison has his murder conviction overturned on a technicality, and must navigate a new investigation into his wife’s death while dark secrets about abuse, affairs, and money troubles emerge.

— TV Guide, Innocent series coverage

Season 2 is set in the Lake District and features Sally Wright returning to her hometown after spending five years in prison for a murder she did not commit. Unlike season one, viewers know from the start that Sally is innocent.

— RadioTimes, Innocent Season 2 cast listing

Summary

Innocent is a British anthology crime drama that aired on ITV in 2018 and 2021, produced by TXTV productions. The series presents two complete four-episode storylines featuring wrongfully convicted protagonists seeking to rebuild their lives while investigators pursue the truth behind the crimes for which they were imprisoned. Season 1 stars Lee Ingleby as David Collins, while Season 2 centers on Katherine Kelly as Sally Wright. Both seasons explore themes of trust, justice, and community through standalone narratives. Streaming availability, particularly on Netflix, remains unclear as the search results distinguish between the British ITV series and an unrelated Spanish-language production sharing the same title.

Those interested in similar British crime dramas may also review the Cast of Keeping Up Appearances for additional British comedy-drama casting context.

Frequently Asked Questions