Adjoa Andoh Creating and Starring in ITV Detective Drama Protect and Serve
Bridgerton star transitions to lead role in new Leeds-based crime series for ITV.
1New Creative Direction
Adjoa Andoh, widely recognized for her role as Lady Danbury in Netflix’s Bridgerton, is shifting her focus toward creative production. She is currently developing her first television drama series titled Protect and Serve. This project marks a significant professional milestone for the actress as she transitions into a creator role alongside writer Helen Black.
2Plot and Character Dynamics
The series centers on DI Araba Dadzie, a detective working within a Homicide and Major Enquiry Team in central Leeds. The narrative explores the complex intersection of her professional duties and personal life, specifically managing elderly parents and children. Araba faces the daily challenges of being a Black female police officer in modern Britain.
3Central Investigation Focus
The plot initiates with a tragic investigation into the shooting of a teenage boy. The victim had been residing in a privately owned children’s care home alongside his brother following their grandfather’s illness. This central case serves as the primary catalyst for the series, highlighting systemic issues within the care system and local law enforcement.
4Production and Creative Team
The drama is produced by Big Talk Studios, known for their work on Ludwig. Nimer Rashed, who directed Harlan Coben’s Run Away and Missing You, is attached to direct the series. Stella Nwimo will serve as producer, while Big Talk boss Kenton Allen joins Andoh and Helen Black as an executive producer for the show.
5Collaborative Development Process
Helen Black, known for her writing on the BBC prison drama Time, co-created the series with Andoh. Jenny van der Lande, who is launching a BBC Studios-backed label, played a pivotal role in developing the project. Chris Clough, recognized for Mr Bates vs The Post Office, also serves as an executive producer on the team.
6Production Timeline and Distribution
Filming for Protect and Serve is scheduled to commence in early 2027. ITV Studios will handle the international distribution of the drama, while the series is produced in association with the network. Further casting announcements are expected to be released as the production timeline approaches, providing more clarity on the supporting ensemble cast.
7Thematic Depth and Motivation
Andoh describes the protagonist’s role as a calling, comparing the weight of the job to that of a priest or teacher. The series aims to examine the personal costs of law enforcement, specifically the struggle to balance a demanding career with the realities of being a woman in the squeezed middle of life.
8Industry Context and Impact
This project represents a strategic move for ITV as it continues to invest in original scripted content despite broader advertising market challenges. By leveraging high-profile talent like Andoh, the network aims to strengthen its drama portfolio. The series reflects a growing trend of actors taking creative control to tell more nuanced, character-driven stories.