{"id":607357,"date":"2026-09-21T17:58:12","date_gmt":"2026-09-21T17:58:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/607357\/"},"modified":"2026-09-21T17:58:12","modified_gmt":"2026-09-21T17:58:12","slug":"itvs-powerful-and-moving-real-life-drama-starring-blue-lights-actor-begins-filming","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/607357\/","title":{"rendered":"ITV&#8217;s &#8220;powerful and moving&#8221; real-life drama starring Blue Lights actor begins filming"},"content":{"rendered":"<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"3\" class=\"css-1ncddsh emevuu60\">Bad Blood, the upcoming ITV drama starring Blue Lights&#8217; Hannah McClean, has gotten an exciting update ahead of its release. With a stacked cast and a real-life story to boot, the series could be a big hit.<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"9\" class=\"css-1ncddsh emevuu60\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/tv\/a46903836\/itv-contaminated-blood-scandal-drama\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/tv\/a46903836\/itv-contaminated-blood-scandal-drama\/\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"The drama\" data-node-id=\"9.0\" class=\"body-link css-1gyyefe emevuu60\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">The drama<\/a> tells the story of a UK scandal, which saw over 30,000 people be administered with contaminated blood samples between the 1970s and 1990s. Overall, it is thought that over 3,000 deaths were caused by the error. <\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"13\" class=\"css-1ncddsh emevuu60\">In addition to McClean, the cast for the series also includes Iain Glen, Ben Chaplin, Susan Lynch, Luke Treadaway, Patrick Fabian, Precious Wura Alabi, Joe Absolom, Ron Cook, Peter Sullivan and Cal MacAninch.<\/p>\n<p><img draggable=\"true\" alt=\"katherine delvin, hannah mcclean, blue lights\" title=\"Katherine Delvin, Hannah McClean, Blue Lights\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2700\" height=\"1800\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" style=\"color:transparent;width:100%;height:auto;\"   src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/338b5a29-aa45-4500-91fa-569e07d3cdbe.jpg\" class=\"css-0 e1ddfba50\"\/><\/p>\n<p>BBC<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"18\" class=\"css-1ncddsh emevuu60\">Related: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/tech\/best-tech-deals\/g35899960\/best-streaming-services\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/tech\/best-tech-deals\/g35899960\/best-streaming-services\/\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"Best streaming services UK 2026 \u2013 including Disney Plus, Netflix, iPlayer and Apple TV\" data-node-id=\"18.0.1\" class=\"body-link css-1gyyefe emevuu60\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Best streaming services UK 2026 \u2013 including Disney Plus, Netflix, iPlayer and Apple TV<\/a><\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"22\" class=\"css-1ncddsh emevuu60\">Written by Peter Moffat, it has now been confirmed by ITV that filming for the four-part series is under way. A premiere date is not currently known, though a photo of a clapper board has been shared by the broadcaster.<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"26\" class=\"css-1ncddsh emevuu60\">The drama will focus on four students at a boarding school for disabled children, which is not alleged to not be linked to the majority of the 3,000 deaths that occurred separately in the UK. The school had a specialist NHS centre for haemophiliacs and the four students were given a treatment, though the parents were allegedly unaware that it comes with major risks.<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"31\" class=\"css-1ncddsh emevuu60\">&#8220;Unbeknown to them or their parents, the doctors whom the boys trust with their lives use them as guinea pigs in trials to test blood products, some of which are sourced from high-risk, paid donors in the United States, including prisoners,&#8221; reads the synopsis.<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"35\" class=\"css-1ncddsh emevuu60\">&#8220;Bad Blood will dramatise the institutional failures within Government and the medical establishment that led to this avoidable disaster and the cover-up that has tried to hide these failures,&#8221; it continues, with the search for &#8220;truth and justice&#8221; also being depicted.<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"39\" class=\"css-1ncddsh emevuu60\">Speaking about the &#8220;powerful and moving&#8221; project, Moffat said: &#8220;It has been deeply humbling to hear the personal stories of the infected and affected, and a real privilege to be trusted with their accounts.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"43\" class=\"css-1ncddsh emevuu60\">&#8220;This drama is an active testament to a decades-long fight for justice by so many victims of this appalling scandal. We hope it can make a difference by ensuring their voices are properly heard,&#8221; he added.<\/p>\n<p><img draggable=\"true\" alt=\"bad blood clapperboard\" title=\"Bad Blood, Clapperboard\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"3500\" height=\"2534\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" style=\"color:transparent;width:100%;height:auto;\"   src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/69e21f48-5ec9-4c86-86b1-094a0225bfbc.jpg\" class=\"css-0 e1ddfba50\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Helen Williams\/\/ITV<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"48\" class=\"css-1ncddsh emevuu60\">Related: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/tv\/a73817028\/ministry-of-time-bbc-drama-cast-adeel-akhtar\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/tv\/a73817028\/ministry-of-time-bbc-drama-cast-adeel-akhtar\/\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"BBC drama with &quot;intense forbidden romance&quot; confirms Sherwood star among new other cast\" data-node-id=\"48.0.1\" class=\"body-link css-1gyyefe emevuu60\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">BBC drama with &#8220;intense forbidden romance&#8221; confirms Sherwood star among new other cast<\/a><\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"52\" class=\"css-1ncddsh emevuu60\">Polly Hill, Director of Drama at ITV, said: &#8220;We hope this drama will allow our audience to fully understand the infected blood scandal that started decades ago\u2026 We all hope the drama can do justice to all those affected by this scandal.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"56\" class=\"css-1ncddsh emevuu60\">&#8220;Peter&#8217;s scripts brilliantly capture the full horror of the infected blood scandal with the inspirational quest of the victims and their families fighting for the truth to be heard,&#8221; said executive producer Simon Heath.<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"60\" class=\"css-1ncddsh emevuu60\">Bad Blood has no release date.<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"65\" class=\"css-1ncddsh emevuu60\">Visit our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/tv\/a70049607\/streaming-guide\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/tv\/a70049607\/streaming-guide\/\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"Streaming Guide\" data-node-id=\"65.1\" class=\"body-link css-1gyyefe emevuu60\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Streaming Guide<\/a> now to see at a glance where you can view ALL your favourite shows and movies.<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"69\" class=\"css-1ncddsh emevuu60\">The new edition of Legends, a 100-page celebration of Dolly Parton&#8217;s life, is here. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hearstmagazines.co.uk\/special-editions-subscriptions-lvldollyparton\" target=\"_blank\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/www.hearstmagazines.co.uk\/special-editions-subscriptions-lvldollyparton\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"Buy Dolly in newsagents or online\" data-node-id=\"69.3\" class=\"body-link css-1gyyefe emevuu60\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Buy Dolly in newsagents or online<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" data-dynamic-svg=\"true\" src=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/_assets\/design-tokens\/hearst\/static\/images\/logos\/lettermark.be20fe9.svg?primary=%2523000\" loading=\"lazy\" data-testid=\"dynamic-svg-base\" height=\"100\" width=\"100\" alt=\"Lettermark\" class=\"css-7mevzh ev8dhu50\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Reporter, Digital Spy George is a freelance writer who specialises in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/movies\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Movies<\/a> and TV. After graduating with a degree in Film Studies and Journalism from De Montfort University, in which he analysed the early works of Richard Linklater for his dissertation, he wrote for several websites for GRV Media. \u00a0His film tastes vary from blockbusters like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/mission-impossible\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Mission: Impossible<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/john-wick\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">John Wick<\/a> to international directors such as Paolo Sorrentino and Hirokazu Kore-eda, and has attended both the London and Berlin film festivals.<br \/>\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Bad Blood, the upcoming ITV drama starring Blue Lights&#8217; Hannah McClean, has gotten an exciting update ahead of&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":607358,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[29],"tags":[147144,2115,299231,2117,156,207184,2116,111,139,69,299230,251090,437],"class_list":["post-607357","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-tv","tag-collection-latest-news","tag-content-type-news","tag-contentid-e21ab4ae-8aaf-43a5-b420-57fdb3a3cf0d","tag-displaytype-standard-article","tag-entertainment","tag-issyndicated-false","tag-locale-gb","tag-new-zealand","tag-newzealand","tag-nz","tag-shorttitle-itvs-real-life-drama-with-blue-lights-star-begins-filming","tag-sponsored-false","tag-tv"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/607357","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=607357"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/607357\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/607358"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=607357"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=607357"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=607357"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}