Michelle Keegan FIRST LOOK: Actress  seen on set after giving birth to daughter Palma as she gets to work on new ITV thriller The Blame

Michelle Keegan has been seen back at work for the first time since becoming a mum. 

The actress, 38, was pictured on location filming ITV’s brand-new thriller The Blame, her first major role since welcoming daughter Palma earlier this year. 

She is starring in the ‘unmissable’ new ITV drama as DI Emma Crane, while Douglas, 33, will play her colleague, DI Tom Radley.

Based on Charlotte Langley’s bestselling novel, the six-part series kicks off with the chilling discovery of a teenage figure skater’s body in a quiet town. 

From there, DI Crane is thrust into a tangled web of deceit, corruption and fractured loyalties – where nobody is quite who they seem.

The actress, 38, is starring in the ‘unmissable’ new ITV drama as DI Emma Crane, while Douglas, 33, will play her colleague, DI Tom Radley

It marks a big return for Michelle who has become one of ITV’s most bankable stars thanks to her turns in Our Girl, Tina and Bobby and of course, the hit comedy-drama Brassic. 

The day before, Michelle and Douglas posed for Instagram snaps on the first day of shooting, proudly holding up the clapperboard that proclaimed it to be ‘take one’ of the production.

The two actors appeared to be filming inside an office, that could be serving as the police headquarters, while beaming at the camera and playfully pointing at one another.

Michelle looked as stunning as ever in her costume, sporting a striped button-up shirt underneath a cream sweater vest, with the collar peeking out.

The star wore her brunette hair pulled back into a sensible ponytail and a flawlessly applied full face of makeup, courtesy of the production hairstylists and makeup artists.

While Douglas looked typically handsome, wearing a simple black shirt over a plain white T-shirt, as he readied himself to get into character.

Michelle looked in good spirits as she was seen talking animatedly to a co-star on set 

It marks a big return for Michelle who has become one of ITV’s most bankable stars thanks to her turns in Our Girl, Tina and Bobby and of course, the hit comedy-drama Brassic

Quay Street Productions – who were also behind Michelle’s 2024 megahit Fool Me Once – shared the snaps to Instagram with the caption: ‘SHOOT DAY ONE OF THE BLAME.

‘We couldn’t resist a clapperboard pic with the most gorgeous lead cast #Michellekeegan + #Douglasbooth. Letting the vibes lead the way for our new ITV 6-part drama!!!’

The Blame centres around a murder mystery that devolves into a ‘tangled web of lies’ and is based on Charlotte Langley’s book of the same name.

The official synopsis of the show reads: ‘The drama dives into secrets, suspicion and systemic corruption – all under the surface of this seemingly quiet town.

‘The series begins when the body of teenage figure skater Sophie Madsen is discovered, sending shockwaves through the town of Wakestead. 

‘As DI Crane (Keegan) and DI Radley (Booth) dig deeper, what starts as a tragic death, spirals into a tangled web of lies, institutional cover-ups, and moral compromise.

‘As the clock ticks and trust fractures, Crane must navigate both a murder investigation and the treacherous politics inside her own team.’

Alongside Michelle and Douglas, Line of Duty legend Nigel Boyle is set to star as a forensic technician called Brett Shergill.

While Robin Hood star Joe Armstrong, who previously starred opposite Michelle in Fool Me Once, has landed the role of a ice-skating coach called Kyle Fraiser. 

They will be joined by the likes of The Last Kingdom’s Ian Hart, Nathan Mensah, Passenger’s Matilda Freeman, House of the Dragon’s Gavin Spokes, Last Tango in Halifax’s Josh Bolt and White Lines star Ceallach Spellman. 

TV’s Director of Drama, Polly Hill, commissioned the six-part series, which has been written and executively produced by the woman behind All Her Fault and Wolf, Megan Gallagher.

Speaking about the project, Polly said: ‘The Blame is a brilliant new crime thriller full of surprising twists and a compelling investigation that also cleverly tackles police corruption, exploitation and misogyny as the thriller unravels. 

‘Megan is such a wonderful and clever writer, and with Michelle Keegan in the lead and Nicola Shindler at the helm, this is going to be an unmissable drama and one I’m very proud to have on ITV.’ 

Michelle looked raring to go as she and her co-star Douglas Booth, kicked off filming on Instagram the day before

Douglas, 33, will play her colleague, DI Tom Radley

And the pair looked eager to get to work as they posed for snaps on the first day of shooting, proudly holding up the clapperboard that proclaimed it to be ‘take one’ of the production

This is Michelle’s first role since she and her husband Mark Wright welcomed their baby daughter, Palma, into the world in March (pictured)

While Mary added: ‘The Blame is such an important and urgent story to tell; I’m so grateful to have had the opportunity to bring Charlotte Langley’s world and characters to life on screen.

‘It’s my second collaboration with Quay Street Productions, and it’s great to be working with the team again – I’m truly in the best hands.’ 

While the executive producer for Quay Street Productions, Nicola Schindler and Richard Fee, said: ‘We are so delighted to be working with Megan again.

‘She is an exceptional writer who has written a compelling series taking viewers on a twisty journey to discover what really happened through the lens of a contemporary police station brimming with secrets, corruption, and betrayal. 

‘We are also thrilled at the brilliant cast led by Michelle and Douglas, who will keep viewers on the edge of their seats, wondering who to trust at a time when the themes explored in The Blame are more relevant than ever.’ 

This is one of Michelle’s first roles since she and her husband Mark Wright welcomed their baby daughter, Palma, into the world in March.

She previously achieved global success and fame after starring as the lead role of Maya Stern in Netflix’s Harlan Coben smash hit, Fool Me Once, last year.

While she is also still playing the roles of Kate Thorne in Ten Pound Poms and Erin Croft in Brassic.