First look at Jimmy McGovern’s powerful new BBC drama starring Marcella and Motherland favourites

The harrowing new series, from the Time writer, exploring the impact of abuse.

Anna Friel in Unforgivable on BBC
©BBC / LA Productions / Kerry Spicer

by Arabella Horspool |
Updated on

The BBC has shared some first-look images of their hard-hitting new drama Unforgivable, which sees Emmy Award winner Anna Friel and BAFTA winners Anna Maxwell-Martin and David Threfall in their latest roles.

Created by screenwriter Jimmy McGovern, best known for critically acclaimed dramas such as Broken, The Street and Time, Unforgivable promises a powerful and sensitive exploration of difficult themes

What is Unforgivable about?

Set and filmed in Liverpool, the new BBC drama will explore the extensive ripple effect that grooming and sexual abuse have on the Mitchell family as they grapple with the harrowing consequences of abuse committed by one of their own.

Motherland star Anna Maxwell Martin as Katherine in Unforgivable ©BBC / LA Productions / Kerry Spicer

Who's in the Unforgivable cast?

The drama stars Anna Friel (Marcella, Brookside and Broken, Jimmy McGovern's previous drama) as Anna, while Anna Maxwell Martin (Motherland, Line of Duty), who recently earned critical praise for her role in Until I Kill You, plays Katherine. David Threlfall (Nightsleeper, Shameless) takes on the role of Brian.

Bobby Schofield, known for This City Is Ours and Time, plays Joe. Austin Haynes, who you may recognise from Adolescence and All Creatures Great and Small, appears as Tom.

David Threlfall plays Brian in the drama ©BBC / LA Productions / Kerry Spicer

Other cast members include Mark Womack from (The Responder Moving On), Paddy Rowan (Time, The Bay), Phina Oruche (Anthony, Magpie Murders) and Fin McParland in his TV debut.

Where can I watch Unforgivable?

Written by Jimmy McGovern, directed by Julia Ford (known for Showtrial, The Bay and Safe), and produced by LA Productions, the 90-minute standalone drama is set to premiere on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer later this year. The exact release date is still to be confirmed.

Joe (played by Bobby Schofield) is in prison ©BBC / LA Productions / Kerry Spicer

Arabella Horspool is a Commercial Content Writer for Yours at Bauer Media. She's a bookworm who has watched hundreds of dramas and is passionate about TV, film and theatre. She enjoys cooking, scrapbooking, playing board games and loves going on walks with her three dogs.

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