Adultery on ITV is a ‘scandalous romance drama’ that promises to be a ‘provocative love story’ about a man and a woman who share ‘an immediate, intense connection’ – despite the consequences.

Dominic Cooper and Romola Garai will lead the cast in the upcoming ‘scandalous romance drama’ written and created by Danny Brocklehurst.

ITV announced the new series is currently in production, as well as revealing the supporting cast. Here’s everything you need to know about Adultery, including plot, cast, start date, and location.

What is the plot of romance drama Adultery on ITV?

ITV describes Adultery as a “captivating scandalous romance drama”. We meet 15-year-old Jess, who has found love with her schoolmate Ollie. They can’t take their hands off one another, as “love’s young dream becomes all consuming”.

But hang on, it’s their parents who we should be watching…

When Jess’ dad Tom meets Ollie’s mum Beth in the “most unexpected of circumstances”, there are fireworks. The pair share an immediate, intense connection. But both are married.

The synopsis tells us: “As they struggle with their undeniable desires, the pair must grapple with their guilt and the potential consequences for their families. The two families’ lives are potentially turned upside down forever. Will Tom and Beth be able to control their desires unlike their lovestruck teenagers?”

It continues: “The provocative love story raises questions about class, grief and the effects of social media. It takes the viewer on a rollercoaster story of passion, parenthood and peril, as Tom Kirkman and Beth Brookes embark upon a passionate and intense love affair that threatens to uproot their whole lives. Adultery is naturally authentic and bristling with passion as it focuses upon two ordinary families and messy complications.”

How many episodes is it?

Adultery will be six episodes of one hour each.

ITV has not yet revealed if the series will be available as a boxset for bingeing, but we suspect it will.

Who’s in the cast of romance drama Adultery on ITV?

Dominic Cooper and Romola Garai play the lead protagonists Tom Kirkman and Beth Brookes, who share an immediate, intense connection.

Film and TV actor Dominic is perhaps best known for playing Sky in Mamma Mia, or Dakin in The History Boys! His TV roles have included Danny Wood in Down to Earth, Jesse Custer in Preacher, Fielding Scott in Spy City, and Edwyn Cooper in The Gold.

Romola Garai recently won an Olivier Award for her performance in The Years. She’s been in multiple films, including Atonement, Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights, and Suffragette. On TV, she’s best known for Zoe Atkins in Attachments, the title role in Emma, and Bel Rowley in The Hour. She also played a leading role in Vigil series 2.

Shelley Conn, star of Bridgerton, Mistresses, and Little Disasters, will play Tom’s wife Hannah. While The Bay‘s Matthew McNulty stars as Beth’s husband Neil.

Heartstopper’s Leila Khan will play Jess Kirkman, one half of the teenage lovers. The series will also introduce rising star Johnny Sanpher as Ollie Brookes.

Protection and Gavin & Stacey star Andrew Knott will also be joining the cast as Dave, the ex-husband of Beth’s recently deceased best friend.

The Crown and Masters of the Air actor James Murray will appear opposite Ellis and Emmerdale actress Charley Webb. They’ll play Paul and Leah Kirkman, Tom’s brother and sister-in-law.

Produced by Ben Stephenson’s Poison Pen Studios, Ben said: “I am thrilled that we have assembled such a high calibre cast for Danny’s wonderful scripts. Dominic and Romola are two remarkable actors at the peak of their careers. It’s hugely exciting to see what they bring to this juicy gripping and complex show alongside their amazing co leads Matthew and Shelley.”

Who wrote and created Adultery?

BAFTA-award winning writer Danny Brocklehurst created and wrote Adultery.

Manchester-born, he’s best known for Brassic, Ten Pound Poms, The Stranger, and Fool Me Once.

Talking about the upcoming series, Danny said: “It’s a wonderful privilege to assemble such an amazing cast for Adultery. The characters in our show have complex emotional lives and we needed the very best acting talent to bring them to the screen. I couldn’t be more thrilled.”

When’s the start date? How can I watch it?

The six-part series has started filming in and around Manchester this week (September 2025).

So sadly, viewers will have to wait a while before it lands on our screens.

We’d expect it to arrive on ITV and ITVX in 2026. Watch this space for more details as and when we get them.

Read more: Celebrity Race Across the World 2025 line-up includes Roman Kemp and Anita Rani

ITV drama Adultery is expected to arrive on ITV and ITVX in 2026.