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Daily Mirror
24-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Inspiration behind harrowing new drama Unforgivable as it lands on BBC
Unforgivable official trailer for BBC drama Unforgivable, the new BBC2 drama, has already proved to be a talking point due to its very sensitive narrative, with the whole feature drama centring around grooming and sexual abuse. For esteemed screenwriter Jimmy McGovern, tackling the taboo subject through the harrowing drama is something he feels needed to be done. He is hoping viewers will walk away from the production with a new sense of education and perspective, that they otherwise may not have had before. Jimmy is a firm believer that child abusers "should be held to account and also punished for their crimes", stating that to the BBC that he would personally find it "very hard to forgive" if the same harm came to his own family. Jimmy McGovern opens up on the "truth" behind Unforgivable (Image: CREDIT LINE:BBC) The new 90-minute series which is set in Liverpool, follows the Mitchell family whose lives have been shattered by the devastating consequences of sexual abuse. As a family, they are now living with the aftermath and the reality that the perpetrator, Joe, played by Bobby Schofield, is now being freed from jail with rehabilitation after serving just a two year prison sentence. Bobby Schofield plays perpetrator Joe (Image: BBC / LA Productions / Kerry Spicer) Anna Friel plays Anna Mitchell, the sister of Joe but also the desperate mother who will stop at nothing in protecting her two children, with her eldest son played by Adolescence actor Austin Hayes. The pain spirals through the entire family with David Threlfall playing a key role of Anna's father, who is angry after realising she'd reached out to her abuser brother Joe. Unforgivable creator, Jimmy, had one main aim to ensure that every character within the family had a voice at the table to further highlight the toll and emotional hold such an awful crime can have on everyone involved. With the adaption being so raw and close to the bone, it really is no wonder that thoughts are turning to whether there is a deeper truth hidden within Jimmy's compelling drama. Anna is desperate to protect her two children but is conflicted as her brother Joe is the person who committed the crimes (Image: BBC) The Cracker and Time writer opened up on what had inspired him to pen something so dark-routed, revealing there was an element of truth within his creation. Speaking about his thought process and how the idea blossomed, he confessed: "I received a letter from a woman who works with sex offenders and wanted to speak to me. "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." Jimmy has never shied away from discussing the topic of abuse and had even written past productions such as Priest and Broken, that follow in similar vein. Addressing the link in his writing style, he explained to BBC: "I've always been quick to condemn child abusers, as we all are and as we all should be. "This is not a film that goes easy on child abusers at all. I wanted the audience to hear a few of the things I'd learned. I think we should be ultra cautious whenever we're dealing with abusers. I'm a father and a grandfather, I would find it very hard to forgive somebody who had done that to me or my family." The drama has landed on BBC's streaming platform this morning at 6am and will air tonight, from 9pm on BBC2, with the compelling story already proving to be a drama not to be missed.
BBC News
01-07-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
BBC releases first-look pictures for Unforgivable, Jimmy McGovern's new drama
The BBC has released first-look pictures for Unforgivable, an original drama from multi-award-winning screenwriter Jimmy McGovern (Time, Cracker, The Street) which explores the impact of grooming and sexual abuse on one family. Directed by Julia Ford (Showtrial, The Bay, Safe), the drama is made by LA Productions (Broken, Anthony, Care) for BBC iPlayer and BBC Two. The first-look pictures show Emmy-winner Anna Friel (Marcella, Pushing Daisies) as Anna, Bobby Schofield (Time, Anne, SAS Rogue Heroes) as Joe, BAFTA-winner Anna Maxwell Martin (Motherland, A Spy Among Friends, Poppy Shakespeare) as Katherine, BAFTA-winner David Threlfall (Nightsleeper, Shameless, Housewife 49) as Brian and Austin Haynes (Adolescence, All Creatures Great and Small, The Railway Children Return) as Tom. Set and filmed in Liverpool, the fictional drama centres around the Mitchell family who are dealing with the devastating aftermath of an act of abuse perpetrated by a member of their own family. 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. Further cast includes Mark Womack (The Responder, Playing the Field, Moving On), Paddy Rowan (Time, The Bay, This Town), Phina Oruche (Anthony, Magpie Murders, Taken Down) and Fin McParland making his television debut. The drama is produced by LA Productions and will air this year on BBC iPlayer and BBC Two. It is written by Jimmy McGovern, directed by Julia Ford, and produced by Donna Molloy. The executive producers are Jimmy McGovern and Colin McKeown for LA Productions, and Nawfal Faizullah and Katherine Bond for the BBC. MF3 Follow for more
BBC News
18-03-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Granite Harbour set to return for a third series as the BBC drama heads back to Aberdeen
The BBC has announced the return of Granite Harbour for a third series. Made by LA Productions, it will once again bring together acting talents Romario Simpson (Django, Riches, Small Axe) and Hannah Donaldson (Crime, Payback, The Crown) as crime duo Lindo and Bart for the Aberdeen-set drama. The new three-part series, which will film in Aberdeenshire and Glasgow later this year, is a co-commission between BBC iPlayer, BBC Scotland and BBC One. It will be written by Rob Fraser (Tell Me Everything, Tin Star), Ciara Conway (Whistable Pearl, Holby City) and Writers Guild of Great Britain award-winner Jillian Mannion (River City, Death in Paradise). The third series sees Sgt Davis Lindo (Romario Simpson) and DCI Lara 'Bart' Bartlett (Hannah Donaldson) investigate a suspicious death in the travelling community at an estate on the outskirts of Aberdeen. As the investigation gets underway, Lindo and Bart must navigate a complicated cross-community romance which uncovers a complex past. Gavin Smith, Executive Producer, BBC Scotland says: 'We are delighted to be bringing Davis and Bart back in what I'm sure will be their toughest test yet. This Aberdeen set detective drama has attracted new audiences to the BBC and beyond and we look forward to the sparkling granite of the city shining on screen once more.' Colin McKeown, LA Productions says: 'It's an absolute pleasure to be asked by the BBC to produce a further series of Granite Harbour, to build on the character development we've created so far with our stellar cast. Scotland, and in particular, Aberdeen is a real gem and a place that we, as filmmakers, have really come to love. Our desire is to carry on our journey with our audience and let them share and enjoy what series three of Granite Harbour has to offer.' Granite Harbour (3x60) was commissioned by Louise Thornton, Head of Commissioning, BBC Scotland and Lindsay Salt, Director of BBC Drama. The executive producers are Gavin Smith for BBC Scotland, Gaynor Holmes for BBC One and Colin McKeown for LA Productions with Donna Molloy (Compulsion, Anthony) producing the third series. Granite Harbour is made by LA Productions for the BBC and BBC Scotland and supported by Screen Scotland. Granite Harbour joins a growing list of hit BBC series from Scotland, including Shetland, Vigil, Nightsleeper and Rebus as well as forthcoming dramas Half Man, Lockerbie and The Ridge. Watch Granite Harbour on BBC iPlayer and add to your Watchlist JM2
