Filming for a brand new drama about the infected blood scandal has started in the North East.

ITV drama Bad Blood tells the story of how more than 30,000 people were given contaminated blood and blood products between the 1970s and early 1990s, resulting in chronic illnesses and more than 3,000 deaths.

Bad Blood is written by BAFTA award-winning screenwriter Peter Moffat, who has worked closely with the victims and their families whose lives were affected by the scandal.

Peter said: “It has been deeply humbling to hear the personal stories of the infected and affected, and a real privilege to be trusted with their accounts.

placeholder image — Filming for a brand new drama about the infected blood scandal has started in the North East.

"This drama is an active testament to a decades-long fight for justice by so many victims of this appalling scandal.

"We hope it can make a difference by ensuring their voices are properly heard.”

Bad Blood centres around four boys at a boarding school for disabled children with an attached specialised NHS centre for haemophiliacs.

While at the school, the boys are given Factor VIII, a treatment that promises the possibility of an increased lifespan and greater freedoms.

Unbeknown to them or their parents, the doctors use the boys in a series of trials to test blood products, some of which are sourced from high-risk paid donors in the United States.

Bad Blood is based on a true story and produced by World Productions, and led by multi-award-winning executive producer, Simon Heath.

The cast includes Iain Glen, Ben Chaplin, Susan Lynch, Luke Treadaway, Patrick Fabian, Precious Wura Alabi, Hannah McClean, Joe Absolom, Ron Cook, Peter Sullivan and Cal MacAninch.

Simon said: “Peter’s scripts brilliantly capture the full horror of the infected blood scandal with the inspirational quest of the victims and their families fighting for the truth to be heard.”

ITV’s director of drama, Polly Hill, has commissioned the series, which will air on ITV and STV and be available for streaming on ITVX and STV Player.

Polly said: “We hope this drama will allow our audience to fully understand the infected blood scandal that started decades ago.”

The production is supported by the North East Production Fund and delivered on behalf of the North East Screen Industries Partnership by North East Screen, with funding from the North East Mayoral Strategic Authority and Tees Valley Combined Authority.