Adultery continues tonight on ITV1 as Tom and Beth take their affair to the next level in explosive episode

Adultery continues tonight at 9pm on ITV1, with another gripping instalment of the provocative new drama set to turn up the heat as Tom and Beth struggle with the consequences of their forbidden relationship.

If you’re looking for an addictive new Sunday night drama, Adultery has plenty to keep you glued to the screen.

The six-part series, written by BAFTA-winning screenwriter Danny Brocklehurst, explores what happens when desire takes over and two ordinary families find their lives turned upside down by an unexpected affair.

In tonight’s episode, Tom and Beth take their relationship to the next level with a weekend away together. However, their time alone brings a painful reminder of the truth they cannot escape.

Back home, the pressure of supporting Neil through his trial begins to take its toll on Beth, who starts to unravel under the strain. Meanwhile, Tom is consumed by guilt as he struggles with the reality of betraying his family.

As their feelings grow stronger, so too do the consequences of their actions. Can Tom and Beth continue their affair without destroying everything around them?

Who stars in Adultery?

The drama boasts an impressive cast, led by two hugely recognisable British acting talents.

Dominic Cooper as Tom Kirkman

<PRIVATE_PERSON> plays Tom, a successful GP whose seemingly comfortable family life is thrown into turmoil when he meets Beth. Cooper is perhaps best known for playing Sky in Mamma Mia!, as well as starring in Preacher, Marvel’s Agent Carter and The Gold.

Romola Garai as Beth Brookes

Romola Garai plays Beth, a working mum whose life changes dramatically after an unexpected encounter with Tom. Garai has enjoyed an acclaimed career, with roles in Atonement, The Hour, Emma, Suffragette and Vigil. She also won an Olivier Award for her performance in The Years.

Shelley Conn as Hannah Kirkman

Shelley Conn plays Hannah, Tom’s wife, who is recovering from a period of ill health and begins to sense that something is not quite right in her marriage. Conn will be familiar to viewers from Bridgerton, Gen V and Liar.

Matthew McNulty as Neil Brookes

Matthew McNulty plays Neil, Beth’s husband, whose upcoming trial adds another layer of pressure to an already complicated family situation. His previous credits include The Terror, Misfits, The Paradise, The Jetty and After the Flood.

The younger cast also features Leila Khan as Jess Kirkman, Tom’s teenage daughter, and Johnny Sanpher as Ollie Brookes, Beth’s son. Their own relationship is what initially brings the two families into each other’s lives.

James Murray, best known for The Crown, plays Tom’s brother Paul, while former Emmerdale star Charley Webb appears as Leah. Andrew Knott, recognised by many viewers for Gavin & Stacey, also features as Dave.

Why Adultery is proving such an addictive watch

What makes Adultery particularly compelling is that it is not simply another story about an affair. It explores the complicated emotions, personal sacrifices and devastating consequences that come when people follow their hearts rather than their responsibilities.

Tom and Beth’s relationship is at the centre of the drama, but the parallel romance between their teenage children adds an extra layer of tension. While Jess and Ollie are experiencing the excitement of first love, their parents are embarking on a relationship that could destroy both families.

There are also plenty of wider themes woven into the storyline, including class differences, grief, social media, marriage and parenthood.

The series refuses to make its characters entirely good or bad, leaving viewers to question their decisions and decide whose side they are on. Just when you think you understand someone’s motivations, another revelation threatens to change everything.

And with only six episodes, the story moves at a pace that makes it particularly tempting to watch more than one instalment at a time. All six episodes have been made available on ITVX, and viewers have already been talking about binge-watching the series.

How is Adultery performing in the ratings?

Adultery has arrived as one of ITV’s big new autumn dramas, with its recognisable cast and the reputation of its award-winning writer helping generate interest ahead of its launch.

The early ratings battle has been competitive, however. Industry ratings reports showed BBC One’s This City Is Ours coming out ahead of Adultery in their Sunday night 9pm clash, with the BBC drama also winning the subsequent Monday night contest.

Although a verified consolidated audience figure for Adultery has not yet been established in the reports available, the drama has certainly generated conversation, with viewers discussing its provocative storyline and some already choosing to watch the entire six-part series on ITVX.

Who is behind Adultery?

The series is the creation of BAFTA-winning writer Danny Brocklehurst, whose previous work includes some of the biggest television dramas of recent years.

He adapted Netflix’s global hit Fool Me Once, co-created the hugely popular Brassic and has also written Ten Pound Poms, No Return, Stay Close and The Driver.

With Brocklehurst behind the scripts, viewers can expect complicated characters, emotional storytelling and plenty of twists.

Adultery is produced by Poison Pen Studios and was filmed in and around Manchester.

With its combination of forbidden romance, family drama, secrets and betrayal, Adultery offers plenty to get viewers talking. And as Tom and Beth discover, following your heart can come at an enormous cost.

Adultery continues tonight at 9pm on ITV1. All six episodes are available on ITVX.

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