Michelle Keegan was filmed filming rain‑soaked scenes alongside co‑star Douglas Booth on location in Hertford as production continued on ITV’s upcoming drama The Blame.
The 38‑year‑old actress, who returned to work earlier this year after the birth of her daughter, was seen outside a local newsagent on Sunday as cameras rolled. Keegan, appearing drenched for the scene, was protected by production aides between takes and held a hot water bottle while crew prepared the next setup. Booth, 33, was treated with sprayed water to mimic heavy rain as the two actors worked through the sequence.
The Blame is adapted from Charlotte Langley’s debut novel and centres on the discovery of the body of a teenage figure skater in the small town of Wakestead. ITV’s official synopsis says the drama "dives into secrets, suspicion and systemic corruption" as two detectives, DI Crane (Keegan) and DI Radley (Booth), investigate what begins as a tragic death and evolves into "a tangled web of lies, institutional cover‑ups, and moral compromise." The series follows Crane as she navigates a murder inquiry alongside fraught politics inside her own team.
Alongside Keegan and Booth, the cast includes Nigel Boyle as forensic technician Brett Shergill, Joe Armstrong as ice‑skating coach Kyle Fraiser, and other actors such as Ian Hart, Nathan Mensah, Matilda Freeman, Gavin Spokes, Josh Bolt and Ceallach Spellman. The six‑part series was commissioned by ITV’s director of drama, Polly Hill, and written and executive produced by Megan Gallagher.
Polly Hill said in a statement that The Blame "is a brilliant new crime thriller full of surprising twists and a compelling investigation that also cleverly tackles police corruption, exploitation and misogyny as the thriller unravels." Executive producers Nicola Schindler and Richard Fee described Gallagher as "an exceptional writer" and praised the cast for delivering a series that will keep viewers "on the edge of their seats, wondering who to trust."
Production details observed on location included wardrobe choices aimed at maintaining an autumnal look despite the forced rain, and Keegan sharing light moments with crew members between takes. Filming on the series has brought together production teams from Quay Street Productions and other collaborators attached to the project.
Keegan’s work on The Blame comes as she prepares for the conclusion of another of her television projects. The seventh and final series of the Sky comedy Brassic is scheduled to premiere later this month, with the final episode set for Sept. 25. Keegan wrapped filming on Brassic in May; the show, which first aired in 2019, ends after a sixth season that left the central characters in peril.
ITV has not yet announced a broadcast date for The Blame. The series is expected to tackle timely themes while unfolding the investigation adapted from Langley’s novel.