Note: The following article contains discussion of child abuse.
Unforgivable, the brand new BBC drama starring Anna Friel and Anna Maxwell Martin, has been lauded by critics, with The Guardian calling it “even better than Adolescence“.
Scripted by Time and Accused screenwriter Jimmy McGovern, the 90-minute film follows the Mitchells, who are still dealing with the “devastating aftermath” of sexual abuse perpetrated by one of their own family members.
The BBC synopsis states that “the drama examines the extensive ripple effect of abuse from multiple perspectives and how those involved can try to move forward in the midst of the devastation.”
Bobby Schofield, David Threlfall, Mark Womack and Austin Haynes round out the cast of the critically-acclaimed drama.
BBC
Following Unforgivable’s premiere, The Telegraph has crowned McGovern “TV’s best writer”, stating that: “No one writes with such acute insight into the lives of ordinary people – and the hopes and struggles behind closed doors.”
Likewise, in a five-star review released by The Guardian, Unforgivable was described as “an altogether richer, more subtle and more sophisticated creation than, say, Adolescence, to which it is likely to be compared,” with Friel singled out in particular for her “absolutely wonderful performance”.
Meanwhile, The Financial Times, which gave the film three stars, has noted that Unforgivable is “grimly riveting” and delivers its story “with a bluntness that is bracing.”
BBC
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“In other moments, this explicit matter-of-factness is confrontational and horrifying,” the publication explained.
Speaking about the project, McGovern told the BBC that he felt “compelled” to write Unforgivable after receiving a letter from a woman who worked with sex offenders.
“She spoke no holds barred about her job and working with sex abusers. She told me certain facts and figures that are quite unbelievable, so I want people to watch the film and learn things about child abuse. I felt compelled to write about it,” McGovern told the broadcaster.
Unforgivable is now available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
Readers who are affected by the issues raised in this story are encouraged to contact the NSPCC on 0808 800 5000 (www.nspcc.org.uk). Readers in the US are encouraged to contact the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline on (1-800-422-4453) or the American SPCC (www.americanspcc.org).
Megan is a freelance news reporter for Digital Spy.