Get ready for an explosive return to the edge-of-your-seat drama that is Trigger Point! But here’s where it gets controversial: can a character as tightly wound as Lana Washington truly avoid imploding under the weight of her past? Vicky McClure, the star of ITV’s hit series, is back as Lana, the Explosives Officer (Expo) and Afghan War veteran, in Season 3, premiering this Sunday. And trust us, it’s going to be a blast—both literally and metaphorically.
Produced by the mastermind behind Line of Duty and Bodyguard, Jed Mercurio, and distributed internationally by All3Media, Trigger Point follows a team of bomb disposal officers in London. Their mission? To keep the city safe from deadly devices and terrorist threats. Season 2 averaged a staggering 8.1 million viewers and was streamed 30 million times on ITVX, cementing its place as ITV1’s second-most-watched drama of 2024. And this is the part most people miss: the show’s success isn’t just about the explosions—it’s about the human stories behind the uniforms.
Returning alongside McClure are familiar faces like Eric Shango as Danny, Nabil Elouahabi as Hassan “Hass” Rahim, Natalie Simpson as DS Helen Morgan, and Maanuv Thiara as DI Amar Batra. Joining the cast this season is Jason Flemyng (Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels), who plays the season’s antagonist, Steven Wyles. With Mercurio, Daniel Walker, Jessica Sharkey, Chris Brandon, and McClure herself as executive producers, and Chris Brandon leading the writing team, the stage is set for another gripping season.
In Season 3, Lana and her team face a bomb threat that quickly spirals into a chilling vendetta. “Someone is targeting individuals and demanding revenue,” teases the plot description. Working alongside the Police Counter Terrorism Unit, the Bomb Disposal Squad races against time to stop the bomber before more lives are lost. The season, comprised of six episodes, will air on ITV1 and STV, with streaming available on ITVX and STV Player.
In a recent chat with THR, McClure opened up about what fans—and newcomers—can expect. Lana’s journey has been anything but easy, and Season 3 dives deep into her struggles. “We needed to address how she’s dealing with the traumas she’s faced,” McClure explained. “PTSD has always been there, but now it’s front and center. We even explored tinnitus, which was a personal challenge for me, given my dad’s experience with it.”
Here’s the kicker: Lana’s emotional walls mirror the bombs she defuses—both are ticking time bombs. “The question is, when will Lana explode?” McClure mused. “Will she have an outburst, or will she finally accept help? And what will that mean for her?”
After multiple seasons as an Expo, does McClure think she could defuse a bomb in real life? “Absolutely not,” she laughed. “I’m not cut out for that kind of pressure. But I’ve picked up the lingo and the habits, thanks to our explosives advisor, Joel Snarr. Checking doorways before entering? That’s second nature now.”
Portraying Lana’s tinnitus was particularly challenging. “It’s an internal struggle, and you can’t hear it,” McClure said. “As an actor, I wanted to feel it as much as possible, but it’s tough when it’s something only the character experiences. We did manage to highlight it in some scenes, though, which was rewarding.”
Shooting Seasons 3 and 4 back-to-back added another layer of complexity. “Keeping track of the plot and timelines was a challenge,” McClure admitted. “But having a great team, including script supervisors, made all the difference.”
Amid the tension, lighter moments are crucial. “The audience needs a break, and so do the characters,” McClure noted. “Their friendships can’t be solely built on trauma. Nabil’s character, Hass, brings that much-needed gallows humor, which is so authentic to the lives of Expos and veterans.”
Working with Flemyng was a highlight for McClure. “Jason is such a talented actor, and his character’s personal vendetta adds a new layer of complexity,” she said. “In real life, he’s the opposite—full of laughter and energy. It’s a testament to his skill that he can bring such depth to a villain.”
But here’s the real question: can a show about bomb disposal truly capture the emotional toll of the job without glorifying the danger? McClure believes it’s all about the team effort. “Every detail matters, from the cast to the crew,” she emphasized. “It’s a collaborative process, and that’s what makes Trigger Point so special.”
As Season 3 wraps up, fans can look forward to Season 4, which McClure describes as a fresh start. “We introduced new characters and a whole new story,” she said. “It was like hitting the reset button, which kept things exciting.”
So, what do you think? Can Lana survive her own emotional explosion, or is she destined to crack under the pressure? And does Trigger Point strike the right balance between action and emotion? Let us know in the comments—we’re eager to hear your take!
