BBC Releases First Look at 'Unforgivable' with Anna Maxwell Martin

It was back in September 2024 when the BBC announced it was commissioning a new series from Jimmy McGovern, the man behind the award-winning anthology series, Time. McGovern, who is famous in the U.K. for his shows that delve into the British criminal justice system and its shortcomings in treating those within its bureaucratic walls humanely, tends to attract some of the best actors working today, and usually lands the viewership to match. However, his new series, Unforgivable (the title of which was announced alongside the release of the first images), takes a slightly different angle on what justice means and how the system fails those who must live in its aftermath.

We should also provide a content warning before proceeding. The crime in question is child sexual abuse within a family. If this is not for you (and believe me, there are many people for whom this topic is a hard no), feel free to skip all posts on this show.

If you do have the fortitude to dig into how the U.K. system handles these sorts of crimes, and the long-term effects on the family, McGovern has a track record of genuine nuance when it comes to examining crime, taking an unbiased look at the perpetrator and the victims, treating both as people who have good qualities and bad. It's what makes watching his series so challenging at times, and it's why he's one of the few writers both the BBC and actors trust on this topic.

Here's the series description:

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 forward in the midst of the devastation.

Much like most McGovern projects, the cast is a who's who of British talent PBS fans will recognize, including Anna Maxwell Martin (Ludwig) as Katherine, David Threlfall (Passenger) as Brian, Anna Friel (The Dream Lands) as Anna, Bobby Schofield (Rogue Heroes) as Joe, and Austin Haynes (All Creatures Great & Small) as Tom. 

The supporting cast includes Mark Womack (The Responder), Paddy Rowan (The Bay), Phina Oruche (Magpie Murders), and newcomer Fin McParland, making his television debut.

As always, Jimmy McGovern penned all episodes of the series, which will likely be only two or three installments, four at most. Director Julia Ford (Showtrial) helms all installments, produced by Donna Molloy. McGovern executive produces with Colin McKeown for LA Productions, and Nawfal Faizullah and Katherine Bond for the BBC.

No release date or American distributor has been announced yet for Unforgivable; however, the BBC has stated that it will debut before the end of 2025. Considering the track record of where McGovern shows land, it will likely follow on BritBox.