A TEENAGER’S MURDER. TWO DETECTIVES. AND SECRETS THEY NEVER SAW COMING. Michelle Keegan stars in ITV’s gripping new crime drama The Blame as DI Emma Crane, alongside Douglas Booth as DI Tom Radley. As they investigate a teenage skater’s murder, the case quickly draws them into a dark web of secrets — while their own chemistry adds another layer of tension.

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Michelle Keegan’s The Blame Co-Star Douglas Booth Reveals What Surprised Him About Her Career

Michelle Keegan may have been a familiar face on British television for years, but her The Blame co-star Douglas Booth admits there was one thing about her career that genuinely surprised him.

The pair are working together for the first time on ITV’s new crime drama, with Keegan taking on the role of determined detective DI Emma Crane and Booth playing fellow detective DI Tom Radley, who also becomes her on-screen romantic interest.

The drama follows the investigation into the murder of a teenage skater, bringing the two detectives together as they attempt to uncover what happened.

The Blame gets first look as filming for 'unmissable' ITV drama gets underway

Douglas Booth Praises Michelle Keegan

Speaking to The Metro, Booth said he had never previously worked with Keegan, although he was already familiar with her reputation.

He described her as “famously one of the nicest people in the business” and praised both her talent and professionalism.

“She’s so good,” he said, adding that having a strong relationship with a co-star can make a major difference when filming a production.

Booth also highlighted how Keegan has balanced her acting career with motherhood, describing her as “superwoman” after recently becoming a mother.

“She’s just had a baby. Incredible mum, incredible professional,” he said.

The Career Detail That Surprised Him

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When Booth was asked whether Keegan could become the next Sheridan Smith, whom the publication described as the “Queen of British TV”, the actor revealed the part of her career that caught him off guard.

Despite Keegan having worked in television for many years, Booth said he was surprised by how relatively selective her screen career has been.

“What surprised me is that she actually hasn’t been in that much stuff because she’s been doing it for so long. But she’s just in really good things,” he said.

He also said he had seen for himself how popular Keegan is with both audiences and the people she works with, describing her as a “national sweetheart” and praising her relatability.

From Coronation Street To Fool Me Once

Keegan first became widely known through Coronation Street, where she rose to fame before moving into a range of television roles.

Her credits have since included Our Girl, Brassic and Netflix thriller Fool Me Once, which achieved worldwide success.

Now, she is taking on another demanding role with The Blame, playing DI Emma Crane alongside Booth.

Away from her acting career, Keegan is married to former The Only Way Is Essex personality Mark Wright. The couple share a one-year-old daughter, Palma.

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Michelle Keegan On The Reality Of Working As A Mum

Keegan has previously spoken openly about how difficult it has been to balance long filming days with caring for her daughter.

Speaking to Grazia, she admitted that she had agreed to The Blame before Palma was born and initially underestimated how challenging the combination of work and motherhood would be.

“I think I went in blinded,” she said, explaining that she had expected she would be able to manage the demands of the role.

She described the reality as “hard”, particularly when long days on set were followed by learning lines for the next day while also caring for her baby during the night.

Keegan credited Wright for helping her manage the demanding schedule, describing him as a “great partner” and “such a good dad”.

Michelle Keegan and Mark Wright

How Marriage Has Changed For Michelle And Mark

Keegan and Wright married at St Mary’s Church in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, in 2015.

By 2024, Keegan joked that their lifestyle had become somewhat quieter compared with their earlier years together.

Speaking to Closer Magazine, she said she was now perfectly happy spending an evening on the sofa with their dogs, watching television and relaxing, although the couple still enjoyed dressing up and going out for dinner.

She recalled that they once stayed out for dinner and drinks until the early hours. These days, however, she joked that she would be checking the time after dinner and suggesting they head home for bedtime.

For Keegan, the change reflects a very different stage of life — one that now combines a successful acting career with marriage and motherhood, while The Blame marks her latest television role.