Everything you need to know about new Liverpool drama Unforgivable

There’s just days to go until brand-new Liverpool drama Unforgivable airs on TV.

It’s set to be a hard but gripping watch so, as we count down the hours, here’s everything you need to know about Unforgivable.

When is it on?

Unforgivable is set to air on Thursday, July 24, at 9pm.

Where can I watch it?

You can watch it on BBC Two and you’ll also find it on BBC iPlayer.

Is Unforgivable a series or a one-off drama?

This is going to be a one-off powerful and challenging 90-minute production.

What’s it about?

Set and filmed in Liverpool, Unforgivable focuses on the story of mother-of-two Anna Mitchell, whose family’s been devastated after her brother Joe was imprisoned for abusing his own nephew, her son Tom. 

Having served his prison sentence, Joe arrives at St Maura’s, an institution which offers him a home and rehabilitation, and with the support of ex-nun Katherine he undertakes therapy sessions in the hope of understanding what led him to commit the abuse and face up to the consequences.

At the same time, his sister Anna’s dealing with the huge impact Joe’s crime’s had on her family – her sons, Tom and Peter, and her father, Brian – and so the drama examines the ripple effect of abuse and how all those involved can try to move forward after it.

Who is in it?

It’s got a stellar cast led by Anna Friel, who first made her name as Beth Jordache in Brookside and has since gone on to star in ITV/Netflix detective series Marcella, for which she won an Emmy Award, and ABC’s Pushing Daisies.

Liverpool-born Bobby Schofield (Time, Anne, SAS Rogue Heroes and This City Is Ours) is Joe, and BAFTA-winner Anna Maxwell Martin (Motherland, A Spy Among Friends, Poppy Shakespeare) is ex-nun Katherine.  Another BAFTA winner David Threlfall (Nightsleeper, Shameless, Housewife 49) plays Brian, and Austin Haynes (Adolescence, All Creatures Great and Small, The Railway Children Return) is Anna’s son Tom.

Other cast members include Mark Womack, Phina Oruche, Paddy Rowan and Fin McParland.

Who’s written it – and why?

Like many applauded and anticipated dramas, it’s written by Liverpool’s own multi-award winning screen writer Jimmy McGovern, creator of Cracker, The Street, Time, and so many more. He says Unforgivable was a story he felt compelled to write after receiving a letter from a woman who works with sex offenders. He says: “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.”

Created in Liverpool

The drama has been produced by Kirkdale-based LA Productions, launched by Colin McKeown in 2000 to ‘create a sustainable production and post-production facility in my home city’. Its credits include Merseyside Detectives: The Murders of Ashley & Olivia; Granite Harbour; Anthony; Moving On, and Care.

Why is it important we watch Unforgivable?

While drama confronts some difficult truths, Jimmy McGovern says if people watch it they will learn things. He says: “Even though we’re talking about child abusers, I think I still think there’s a need for compassion. Caution, yes, punishment, yes, justice, yes. These are enormous crimes, they must be punished, you must go to prison. But alongside all that, an element of compassion. To understand a bit more and equally condemn.”

Watch Unforgivable on BBC Two this Thursday, July 24, at 9pm.

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