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Line of Duty star's "challenging" new BBC drama Unforgivable confirms air date
Anna Maxwell Martin stars in the hard-hitting new series from Jimmy McGovern.
BBC / LA Productions / Kerry Spicer
- James Hibbs
Published: Friday, 11 July 2025 at 2:09 pm
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It's been almost two years since the second season of Jimmy McGovern's drama Time debuted, and while he isn't, as of now, returning to the prison drama, he is touching on the experience of incarceration in his new BBC series.
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Unforgivable will follow the Mitchells, a family who are seen dealing with the devastating aftermath of an act of abuse perpetrated by one of their own, Joe.
The series picks up as Joe is released from prison and arrives at St Maura's, an institution which offers him a home and rehabilitation.
Now, we know exactly when the series will air, with all episodes arriving on BBC iPlayer at 6am on Thursday 24th July, before the first episode airs later that day on BBC Two.
Bobby Schofield as Joe in Unforgivable. BBC / LA Productions / Kerry Spicer
Unforgivable stars Bobby Schofield as Joe, while Line of Duty's Anna Maxwell Martin plays Katherine, an ex-nun and therapist working at St Maura's.
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When it comes to Joe's family, Anna Friel plays his sister Anna, while David Threlfall plays their father Brian. Anna's sons will be played by Austin Haynes and Fin McParland.
When the cast for the series was first confirmed, McGovern said: "I can’t believe the cast and crew that have been assembled for this production. It’s a challenging film, yes, but I can’t wait for it to be shown."
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The synopsis for the series says that it "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".
Martin, who has also recently been seen in Ludwig, played Patricia Carmichael in seasons 5 and 6 of Line of Duty. Last year, she said that she would "play Pat for the rest of my life" if she could.
"In fact, I wish Jed would do the spin-off: 'Pat' – not even Pat doing policing, just her doing other things like going to the shops!" she said.
Unforgivable will arrive on BBC iPlayer at 6am on Thursday 24th July, and air on BBC Two from 9pm that evening.
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Authors
James HibbsDrama Writer
James Hibbs is a Drama Writer for Radio Times, covering programmes across both streaming platforms and linear channels. He previously worked in PR, first for a B2B agency and subsequently for international TV production company Fremantle. He possesses a BA in English and Theatre Studies and an NCTJ Level 5 Diploma in Journalism.
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