A new series of a critically acclaimed drama which focuses on Keswick has been commissioned by ITV.
The first series of Innocent, a drama about a scandal that rocked the Lake District town involving schoolteacher Sally Wright, who was alleged to be having an affair with her 16-year-old pupil Matty Taylor, was one of ITV’s highest rated dramas of 2018 with an average of more than seven million viewers for each of the four episodes.
Filming of the second series has already started on location in the Lake District and Ireland.
Katherine Kelly, who rose to prominence as Becky McDonald in Coronation Street and who has also appeared in Liar II, Cheat and Mr Selfridge, will take the lead role of Sally Wright who is fighting, against all odds, to prove her innocence.
When Matty is found dead, 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 could not 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, determined to prove her innocence.
As she waits for the jury to deliver on her appeal, she contemplates how she has lost everything she holds dear.
Her relationship, home and marriage to probation officer, Sam, her job as head of English at a local comprehensive school, her status and good name in the community, and personal contact with her ageing mother who now lives in a care home.
With the unwavering support of her best friend, Jenny, editor of the local Cumbrian Post newspaper, Sally has been given a lifeline, as new evidence, which places her six miles from the murder scene, is unearthed.
When the forewoman pronounces Sally is not guilty of the crime which has destroyed her life, her first thoughts are for Matty and his parents, John and Maria Taylor, who are still living their nightmare.
Hell-bent on reclaiming some of her life, Sally sets out to help the police seek answers and find the real killer.
DCI Michael Braithwaite — returning to work after a period of absence — is charged with reinvestigating the case and is determined to discover the true identity of Matty’s killer.
