Gone on ITV: 'Gripping cat and mouse' psychological drama stars Eve Myles and David Morrissey
Gone is a fictional series partly inspired by the book To Hunt a Killer
Gone is a brand new “cat and mouse” thriller coming to ITV in 2026, pitching heavyweights David Morrissey and Eve Myles against each other.
Written by George Kay, the man behind Lupin, The Long Shadow, Hijack, and Criminal: UK, we know we’re in accomplished hands. Are you already totally invested in this upcoming series, like we are?
Talking about the drama, ITV’s Director of Drama Polly Hill teased a “brilliant new police procedural” that will “keep the audience guessing”.
Here’s everything you need to know about ITV drama Gone, including plot, cast, start date, and all the latest news.
What is Gone on ITV about?
The central plot for Gone on ITV is a delicious one. A prestigious private school provides the backdrop, alongside a foreboding forest and the “quiet sprawl of Bristol”.
ITV describe it as a “chilling mystery” which focuses on local Headmaster Michael Polly who becomes the prime suspect in his wife Sarah’s disappearance. So far, so tantalising.
The synopsis tell us: “An upstanding member of the community, Michael Polly is inscrutable and likes order and precision in his working life. Until, that is, he encounters super bright, gutsy Detective Annie Cassidy. A compulsive game of cat and mouse begins as she chips away at his veneer in search of the truth.”
As Polly does not display any emotion, Annie’s suspicions are heightened the more she investigates… Something in her gut tells her all is not what it seems. Could he be capable of murder? And if so – why?
Beneath the surface of the mystery, lies a deeper exploration of trauma, trust and the legacy of elite institutions.
Polly Hill added: “Gone is a wonderful new drama which puts Detective Annie Cassidy up against Michael Polly, the prime suspect in the case of his missing wife. Did he do it? The amazing team on and off screen make a beautifully compelling story and one that I am sure will keep the audience guessing.”
How many episodes is it?
Gone is a six-part series of an hour each.
The Thief, His Wife and the Canoe’s Richard Laxton directs.
Who is in the cast of Gone on ITV?
The always brilliant Eve Myles is “thrilled” to be portraying Detective Annie Cassidy in George Kay’s drama Gone.
Talking about her character, she said: “Annie is a fascinating character, intuitive, gutsy and doesn’t suffer fools. But she has met her match in Michael Polly… David Morrissey plays Michael, a formidable adversary. It’s wonderful to be directed by Richard Laxton and I can’t wait for the audience to see it.”
Of course, Welsh actress Eve Myles, 47, is best known for playing Gwen Cooper in Torchwood, Faith Howells in Keeping Faith, and DS Lola Franks in the underrated crime drama We Hunt Together. More recently, she’s made herself quite the niche in thrillers, including Hijack, The Crow Girl, The Guest, and Coldwater. This year, she played Jacqui Hames in The Hack.
David Morrissey stars as murder suspect Michael Polly, and will be working for the first time with “the amazing Eve Myles and Richard Laxton”. David is known for both comedy (Daddy Issues), and gripping dramas like Sherwood, The Walking Dead, The Long Shadow, Britannia, and The Missing.
Sarah and Michael’s daughter, Alana, will be played by Everything I Know About Love actress Emma Appleton. Alana is a teacher at the school making their involvement a real family affair.
Gone also stars:
Maternal’s Jennifer Macbeth.
Shardlake’s Arthur Hughes.
Sexy Beast’s Nicholas Nunn.
Sinbad’s Elliot Cowan.
Responsible Child‘s Billy Barrett.
Charmed actor Rupert Evans.
Britannia’s Jodie McNee.
Truelove’s Oscar Batterham.
The Worst Witch’s Clare Higgins.
Is it based on a book?
Gone is a fictional series, partly inspired by the book To Hunt a Killer, and the career and work of respected former Detective Superintendent for Gloucestershire Police, Julie Mackay, and ITV Crime Correspondent Robert Murphy. Robert has reported on some of the biggest and most complex cases in the West of England. Both Mackay and Murphy serve as consultants on the series.
Creator George Kay said: “Inspired by real life research, Gone sees the excellent Eve Myles’ overlooked Detective Annie Cassidy go head-to-head with main suspect Michael Polly, played by the superb David Morrissey. In a story about privilege and prejudice, the truth is tantalisingly close. Or at least, that’s what Annie thinks…”
When’s the start date?
Gone is in the early stages of development, and does not have a start date yet.
Although viewers can expect it to land on ITV in 2026.
Read more: The 30 best ITVX dramas you missed on ITV
