The highly-anticipated new BBC drama Unforgivable, starring Anna Maxwell Martin, is on TV tonight.
The original drama is the latest to come from award-winning screenwriter Jimmy McGovern, whose previous works include the hard-hitting prison drama Time (which previously starred the likes of Stephen Graham, Jodie Whittaker and Bella Ramsey), and BBC One’s crime anthology Accused (also with some stellar names attached, including Sean Bean and Anne-Marie Duff).
A fictional drama, Unforgivable focuses on one family who is dealing with the “devastating aftermath” of grooming and sexual abuse, perpetrated by one of its members. According to the BBC synopsis, “the drama examines the extensive ripple effect of abuse from multiple perspectives and how those involved can try to move forwards in the midst of the devastation.”
In what’s sure to be an emotional and difficult watch, the feature-length drama premieres on Thursday 24 July at 9pm on BBC Two. It has a runtime of 105 hours. Unforgivable will also be available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
BBC
Boasting an impressive cast, Maxwell Martin is joined by Anna Friel (Marcella), Bobby Schofield (Time, SAS Rogue Heroes), David Threlfall (Nightsleeper, Shameless) and Austin Haynes (Adolescence, All Creatures Great and Small).
Paddy Rowan (Time, The Bay), Mark Womack (The Responder), Phina Oruche (Magpie Murders) and newcomer Fin McParland also make up more of the ensemble.
Unforgivable has been directed by Julia Ford (who has previously worked on Showtrial and The Bay) and comes from the Liverpool-based production company LA Productions.
BBC
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This project marked a reunion for Anna Maxwell Martin with a number of the creatives, including Jimmy McGovern. “When you get to my age you’ve had long-term collaborators,” she told BBC. “There are people that you work with many times over the years and Jimmy is one of those people.”
The beloved actor also reflected on working with Julia Ford on ITV crime series Until I Kill You. “She’s so brilliant at her job,” Maxwell Martin said. “She’s kind, efficient and just brilliant at delivering drama.”
Meanwhile McGovern said of the drama’s cast: “It was great to finally work with David Threlfall. I’d always admired him. I was delighted when he said yes even though it’s a cough and a spit from what he’s used to doing.
BBC
“Anna Maxwell Martin and Anna Friel, of course, I think they’re marvellous. Two of the best actresses in the world. I worked with Bobby Schofield on Time. He’s a tremendous actor, he really is, and we always wanted him for the drama.
“I thought the pair of young actors were really, really good. We were fortunate to find them, you’ve gotta be lucky in casting, haven’t you?”
Unforgivable premieres on BBC Two at 9pm on Thursday 24 July.
TV Editor, Digital Spy Laura has been watching television for over 30 years and professionally writing about entertainment for almost 10 of those. Â Previously at LOOK and now heading up the TV desk at the UK’s biggest TV and movies site Digital Spy, Laura has helped steer conversations around some of the most popular shows on the box. Laura has appeared on Channel 5 News and radio to talk viewing habits and TV recommendations. Â As well as putting her nerd-level Buffy knowledge to good use during an IRL meet with Sarah Michelle Gellar, Laura also once had afternoon tea with One Direction, has sat around the fire pit of the Love Island villa, spoken to Sir David Attenborough about the world’s oceans and even interviewed Rylan from inside the Big Brother house (housemate status, forever pending).Â