Next of Kin: Cast, location and 3 other things you need to know about the new ITV drama starring Archie Panjabi and Jack Davenport

New ITV drama Next of Kin follows doctor Mona Harcourt (Panjabi) who lives in London with political lobbyist husband Guy (Davenport). When a bomb goes off in London on the same day that her brother, Kareem, is abducted and murdered in Pakistan, Mona’s charmed life is shaken to its core.

In a thrilling tale of events, Mona comes face to face with the reality that that her brother’s son Danish, known as Danny, has vanished from university and is being linked to both the bombing and the murder of his father.

With the family facing accusations and becoming embroiled in a tangled web of betrayal and conspiracy, Mona finds herself confronted with the ultimate dilemma - how far would you go to keep your family safe?

Here's everything you need to know about the new series.

1. It stars Emmy award winner Archie Panjabi (The Good Life, The Fall) as whip-smart doctor Mona Harcourt

Panjabi plays the highly ambitious and fiercely loyal Mona, a doctor who was born in Pakistan but moved to London with her family when she was young. The second of four siblings, she shares a special bond with her family, is the one to rally them when Kareem dies.

Though she’s not Danny’s mother, Mona feels incredibly maternal towards him and is faced with an unimaginable dilemma of how far she will go to protect and defend him.

2. Pirates of the Caribbean and Smash actor Jack Davenport plays Mona's husband Guy

Guy is a lobbyist working in Westminster, he comes from a middle class family, with a mother who encouraged him to appreciate the finer things in life, but he isn’t overly interested in that lifestyle. He is very laid back and avoids confrontation at all costs, but is very good at his job and highly successful. Guy’s professional life is, however, constantly on rocky waters, fighting for work, contacts and influence.

3. There’s plenty of nail-biting moments that will have you on the edge of your seat

With a normal family being forced to make far from ordinary decisions, Next of Kin's complex family drama and themes of terrorism and conspiracy will have you gripped from the word go.

Panjabi has said the new series will see viewers asking themselves difficult questions.

“One of the great themes of the story is family, love and loyalty. It asks the question, ‘How far would you go to protect the ones you love?’ People watching will ask themselves, ‘What would I do in that situation? What decisions would you make?’” she commented.

“The dilemma Mona is faced with involves heartbreakingly difficult decisions along the way. Each of those choices and decisions she makes has an impact on a member of her family, including her relationship with her husband Guy.”

4. The show is a collaboration between creator of Indian Summers, Paul Rutman and his author wife Natasha Narayan

Next of Kin is a family affair for its creator, the BAFTA-nominated Paul Rutman (Indian Summers, Vera), as it's his first collaboration with his wife, author Natasha Narayan.

The pair said the thriller has 'universal overtones' about the treatment of Muslims in modern society.

“Across the West and beyond, large minority Muslim populations find themselves caught in this crossfire. They may deny that there is a problem, they may proclaim not in my name. Still they’re in danger – and not just to the resurgent far right – of being viewed as a threat.

"This seems to us a story with universal overtones. Like the Japanese in America when Pearl Harbour was bombed, Muslims can come to be seen as the enemy within.

“Next of Kin is set within this territory, but it is firmly a show with family at its heart. It tracks the living, breathing experience of people who find themselves caught up in a maelstrom. As the story progress, it opens up to wider territory, but always retains the perspective of an ordinary family trying to do the right thing by themselves, each other, and their country.”

5. The series will unfold in six parts

Next of Kin begins on ITV on Monday, January 8 at 9pm, with the next five episodes airing every Monday at the same time and on the same channel.