ITV’s Bad Blood begins filming with Game of Thrones and Better Call Saul stars

ITV has begun filming Bad Blood, a major new four-part drama exploring the devastating infected blood scandal that affected tens of thousands of people across the UK.

Game of Thrones star Iain Glen leads a substantial cast alongside Ben Chaplin, Susan Lynch, Luke Treadaway and Better Call Saul star Patrick Fabian. Precious Wura Alabi, Hannah McClean, Joe Absolom, Ron Cook, Peter Sullivan and Cal MacAninch have also joined the drama.

Written by BAFTA-winning Your Honor and Criminal Justice screenwriter Peter Moffat, Bad Blood will explore how more than 30,000 people were given contaminated blood and blood products between the 1970s and early 1990s, resulting in life-changing illnesses and more than 3,000 deaths.

The drama has been shaped through close consultation with victims and families whose lives were affected by the scandal.

What is Bad Blood about?

At the centre of the story are four boys attending Treloar's, a boarding school for disabled children with a specialist NHS centre for haemophiliacs.

The boys are given Factor VIII, a treatment offering the possibility of longer lives and greater freedom. However, they and their parents are unaware that doctors are using them in trials involving blood products, some sourced from high-risk paid donors in the United States, including prisoners.

As Hepatitis C and AIDS emerge, the children begin showing signs of disease. The series will explore the institutional failures surrounding the scandal and the decades-long fight by survivors and their families for truth and justice.

Julia Ford directs, with Line of Duty producer World Productions behind the series.

Where to watch Bad Blood

A release date has not yet been announced. Bad Blood will air on ITV and STV and stream on ITVX and STV Player. ITV is expected to confirm a transmission date once production progresses.

Bad Blood is currently filming and will air on ITV and STV, with streaming available on ITVX and STV Player.