Without Sin: ITV release date, cast, plot interview and all about Vicky McClure's thriller

Without Sin star Vicky McClure as Stella Tomlinson with Johnny Harris as Charles Stone in ITVX and ITV1 drama.
Without Sin star Vicky McClure as Stella Tomlinson with Johnny Harris as Charles Stone in ITVX and ITV1 drama. (Image credit: ITVX)

Without Sin is a gripping four-part psychological thriller starring Line of Duty favuorite Vicky McClure and her former This Is England co-star Johnny Harris.

The new drama comes to new ITV streaming service ITVX in December 2022 and explores the relationship which develops between a grieving mother and the man she believes murdered her daughter.

Award-winning actress Vicky McClure (Line of Duty, This is England, Broadchurch, Trigger Point) will play the leading role of Stella Tomlinson, whose 14-year-old daughter Maisy, is found dead at their family home with the bloodied, hooded figure of Charles Stone (Johnny Harris) standing over her. 

So here's everything you need to know about Without Sin on ITVX...

WIthout Sin star Vicky McClure as Stella in the ITVX drama.

After Line of Duty and This Is England Vicky McClure now stars in ITVX drama Without Sin. (Image credit: ITV)

Without Sin release date

Without Sin airs on Monday, May 15 at 9 pm on ITV. The series consists of four episodes which will air over consecutive nights until Thursday, May 18. 

The drama also launched on ITVX on Wednesday, December 28 2022 and is still there for viewers to catch up on. 

We'll update this guide with a US or international release date when more information is released.

Is there a trailer for Without Sin?

Yes a trailer starts with Vicky McClure's Stella questioning what she's really doing. Do take a look below...

What is the plot of Without Sin? 

The Nottingham-based drama focuses upon Stella’s life three years on from the death of her teenage daughter and how she is still hostage to her grief. The loss of her beloved only child has created deep divisions in her life, as she struggles on a daily basis to come to terms with what happened. 

Wracked with guilt and remorse at the events of that night, she chooses to live a nocturnal existence as an Uber driver and is estranged from her husband Paul, who still lives in the family home. 

When contacted by Restorative Justice, and in an attempt to move on, Stella and Paul reunite to listen to a taped recording of Charles, who they believe wants to atone for his sins and apologise for murdering their daughter.

Following this development, Stella returns to her roots in the Millfields estate. Surrounding herself with the people she trusts and holds dear, her mother Jessie and best friend Remy, she decides to take things with Charles one step further.

Stella agrees to visit the prison alongside a Restorative Justice Mediator and come face to face with her daughter’s killer. But nothing could prepare her for what Charles has to say next… 

Without Sin looks at the issue of restorative justice.

Without SIn looks at the issue of restorative justice. (Image credit: ITV)

Without Sin cast — who's starring

Much-loved Line Of Duty star Vicky McClure will take center stage in the gripping thriller to play the leading role of Stella Tomlinson. 

Speaking of her role, Vicky said: "I am also thrilled to be working once again with my good friend, and one of the UK’s finest actors, Johnny Harris, along with members of Nottingham’s The Television Workshop. To be filming in my hometown is a dream come true."

Johnny Harris will play Charles. Best know for starring opposite Vicky in This Is England, Johnny has also had memorable roles in The Salisbury Poisonings, Medici and Troy: Fall of a City. Also, look out for Johnny as Magwitch in BBC One's Great Expectations.

Vicky shared an image on her social media of her on set as the cameras for Without Sin started rolling... 

Other stars include Dorothy Atkinson as Stella's mum Jessie and Perry Fitzpatrick as Stella's ex-husband Paul.

Johnny Harris plays mysterious Charles in Without Sin.

Johnny Harris plays mysterious Charles in Without Sin. (Image credit: ITV)

Without Sin episode guide

Episode One: 

When we meet Stella Tomlinson, it's been three years since the murder of her teenage daughter Maisy, but the wound is as fresh as if it were yesterday.

Episode Two:

Stella wrestles with whether to trust Charles and follow up Cleo’s disappearance. At the same time, she tries to unearth who Charles really is, approaching those who knew him best.

Episode Three:

Stella dives headfirst into finding out who really killed her daughter after a video shows a link amongst Maisy, Cleo, the McKellers and Jessie's boyfriend.

Episode Four:

Stella comes to Charles, convinced they’re now on the right track. But Charles tells a stunned Stella to stop pushing – Teddy’s life is now at risk. Yet Stella won’t give up.

Interview: Vicky McClure on starring in Without Sin

What is your take on Stella?
Vicky says
: "She is a grieving, lost mother who’s in a dark place, trying to find things to stabilise herself. That's not going well, she's got fraught relationships with her ex and her mum [Jessie, played by Dorothy Atkinson], and she's insular and paranoid. There are elements to her that make her very lonely."

How have you found playing her?
Vicky says:
"It wasn't enjoyable, because I had to find something within me, but it was nice to have a new challenge - I play a lot of strong, active women who seem very set, whereas Stella is the polar opposite.

What is her meeting like with Stone?
Vicky says:
"She’s reluctant to go but curious - what has she got to lose? But she doesn't want to look at him, there’s a weirdness that surrounds it, why would you want to sit in front of the man that murdered your child? Then things turn and Stella’s world is shaken. She just wants to regain a bit of control but it doesn't quite go as she expected…

Have you enjoyed reuniting with your This is England co-star Johnny Harris?
Vicky says:
"I’m working with my best mate! He’s the most polite person on Earth, and yet he's usually playing these menacing characters. Our friendship is so special. We speak every day and have similar views on how we like to work. We like to inhabit that raw, real, working class world that’s hard to get right on screen, it’s a world we recognise and that we felt we could make beautiful, vibrant and tough. 

Your production company has worked on the show, why were you keen to set and film it in your home city of Nottingham?
Vicky says
: "It was important to make sure it felt like it had the heart of Nottingham running through it. We have a beautiful city that’s ready to be seen on screen. This was a real opportunity to use what the city has to offer - its people, its landscapes and its history. I feel at home. 

There’s even a tram in Nottingham named after you isn’t there?!
Vicky says:
"Yes, we did a little scene on a tram in this, I wasn't in it but the production team made sure it was mine. You don't even see the name but they said, ‘Make sure you bring the Vicky McClure tram.’ It’s hilarious! 

Stella's mum Jessie is played by Dorothy Atkinson.

Stella's mum Jessie is played by Dorothy Atkinson. (Image credit: ITV)

Locations and behind the scenes on Without Sin

Without Sin was filmed in Nottingham and Shrewsbury. Executive producers of Without Sin are Andy Harries, Sian McWilliams, Vicky McClure, Johnny Harris, whilst the drama will be produced by Guy Hescott and directed by Al Mackay.

Speaking of the thriller, Polly Hill, ITV’s Head of Drama said: "Without Sin is a brilliantly compelling story while carefully dealing with a mother’s grief at the loss of her daughter. "Vicky and Johnny as Stella and Charles will be addictive viewing. I’m delighted to be working with BYO Films and Left Bank Pictures.”

Claire Crick
Assistant Managing Editor at What To Watch

Claire is Assistant Managing Editor at What To Watch and has been a journalist for over 15 years, writing about everything from soaps and TV to beauty, entertainment, and even the Royal Family. After starting her career at a soap magazine, she ended up staying for 13 years, and over that time she’s pulled pints in the Rovers Return, sung karaoke in the Emmerdale village hall, taken a stroll around Albert Square, and visited Summer Bay Surf Club in sunny Australia. 


After learning some tricks of the trade at websites Digital Spy, Entertainment Daily, and Woman & Home, Claire landed a role at What’s On TV and whattowatch.com writing about all things TV and film, with a particular love for Aussie soaps, Strictly Come Dancing and Bake Off


She’s interviewed everyone from June Brown — AKA Dot Cotton — to Michelle Keegan, swapped cooking tips with baking legend Mary Berry backstage at the NTAs, and danced the night away with soap stars at countless awards bashes. There’s not a lot she doesn’t know about soaps and TV and can be very handy when a soapy question comes up in a pub quiz! 


As well as all things soap-related, Claire also loves running, spa breaks, days out with her kids, and getting lost in a good book.