BBC Launches Gritty Drama 'Unforgivable' Starring Anna Maxwell Martin and Anna Friel
The BBC isn’t holding back with its new three-part thriller Unforgivable, arriving for binge-watchers on iPlayer at 6am on Thursday, July 24, with its prime-time BBC Two slot following at 9pm. Fans of Anna Maxwell Martin—who’s well-loved for her role in 'Call the Midwife'—are about to see a whole new side of her acting range in this raw, unsettling drama.
Switching gears from the comforting atmosphere of 1960s midwifery, Anna Maxwell Martin steps into the shoes of a former nun now working as a therapist. Her latest challenge? Trying to guide a convicted abuser back into regular life. This time, she’s joined by powerhouse Anna Friel and Bobby Schofield in a story that cuts deeper than most primetime TV fare. The whole show was filmed on location in Liverpool, giving the drama an authentic and gritty backdrop for its tough conversations.
Bobby Schofield, recognizable from 'Knightfall,' plays Joe—a man just out of prison after serving time for abuse. Thrown back into the world and eyeing redemption, Joe’s forced to face his own actions head-on through a rehabilitation scheme. This scheme, under the care of Maxwell Martin’s character, becomes the hub for tension, reflection, and pain as the story unearths the ripple effects of one act of violence. The camera doesn’t just sit on Joe’s redemption, either. Anna Friel’s Anne—Joe’s sister—is left navigating overwhelming emotional wreckage with her own children, while David Threlfall as their father Brian faces the near-impossible task of family healing.
Other cast members like Austin Haynes, Fin McParland, and Mark Womack round out a story where everyone, even the youngest family members, feels the aftershocks of a single, haunting decision. If you think this is just another rehabilitation story, think again. The BBC says 'Unforgivable' is about showing the full scale of damage abuse can inflict—and how tough, and sometimes messy, the road to forgiveness can be. Every character’s story bubbles up with their own hurt and hope, giving the drama an edge that’ll no doubt get people talking.
Why 'Unforgivable' Pushes Boundaries—and What to Know About Streaming
If you were hoping for the soothing nostalgia of 'Call the Midwife,' brace yourself. 'Unforgivable' tosses viewers into moral grey zones, asking hard questions about accountability and what healing truly requires. It’s rare to see a British drama that really goes there with such heavy subject matter, but with Anna Maxwell Martin and Anna Friel leading the charge, it never feels gratuitous—only honest and unflinching.
BBC is making a bit of a fuss about streaming timeframes, too. There’s a push to remind viewers that certain connected shows (rumors suggest maybe 'Saltburn') could disappear from iPlayer shortly, so fans shouldn’t wait if they’re eager to pair up their viewing.
The timing is clever, too. Anna Maxwell Martin is still fresh in TV lovers’ memories because 'Call the Midwife' is currently shooting a Hong Kong-set Christmas special for 2025. But it’s clear the stakes are different here. 'Unforgivable' is driven by trauma, recovery, and the complicated idea of forgiveness. For anyone looking for something a little darker and more thought-provoking this July, this one might just be unmissable.