The BBC has revealed first-look images from Unforgivable, a compelling original drama from acclaimed screenwriter Jimmy McGovern (Time, Cracker, The Street). The series explores the lasting trauma of grooming and sexual abuse within a single family.
Directed by Julia Ford (Showtrial, The Bay), Unforgivable is produced by LA Productions (Broken, Anthony, Care) and will air later this year on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer.
The images feature Emmy-winner Anna Friel (Marcella, Pushing Daisies) as Anna, Bobby Schofield (Time, SAS Rogue Heroes) as Joe, BAFTA-winner Anna Maxwell Martin (Motherland, A Spy Among Friends) as Katherine, BAFTA-winner David Threlfall (Shameless, Nightsleeper) as Brian, and rising star Austin Haynes (The Railway Children Return) as Tom.
Set and shot in Liverpool, the drama follows the Mitchell family as they confront the emotional wreckage of abuse committed by one of their own. After serving his sentence, Joe (Schofield) is released to St Maura’s, a rehabilitation centre. There, under the guidance of Katherine (Maxwell Martin), a former nun, he begins therapy to reckon with his actions and their consequences.
Meanwhile, his sister Anna (Friel) struggles to support her sons Tom and Peter (Fin McParland, in his TV debut), while also caring for their father Brian (Threlfall), as the entire family grapples with the trauma Joe has left behind.
The series delves into the far-reaching impact of abuse, offering a sensitive and unflinching look at how individuals and families attempt to rebuild their lives in its aftermath.
Additional cast includes Mark Womack (The Responder), Paddy Rowan (This Town), and Phina Oruche (Anthony, Taken Down).
Unforgivable is written by Jimmy McGovern and produced by Donna Molloy. Executive producers are McGovern and Colin McKeown for LA Productions, alongside Nawfal Faizullah and Katherine Bond for the BBC.
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