Unforgivable cast: Who stars in Jimmy McGovern's BBC drama?
Everything you need to know.
This article discusses themes of child sexual abuse that some readers may find upsetting.
Jimmy McGovern continues to cement his status as one of the best screenwriters working today with Unforgivable, a TV film about the impact of child sexual abuse on a family from Liverpool
"When it ended, there was complete and utter silence," said Anna Friel, who plays Bobby's sister Anna, of the private screening for those involved and their friends and family (via The Guardian).
"Before there was applause, you could have heard a pin drop. And we thought, 'Gosh, I wonder what people are going to feel, because it's so thought-provoking, such a challenging piece.'"
Bobby Schofield plays Joe, who has just been released from prison after serving less than half of his sentence for abusing his nephew Tom, and is now undergoing rehabilitation.
"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," reads the official synopsis.
The story is fictional, but after receiving a letter from a woman who worked with sex offenders, which McGovern described as "no holds barred", he felt "compelled" to write it.
"If they watch it, they will learn things," he said. "Even though we're talking about child abusers, 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."
In a separate interview with the Big Issue, Friel described McGovern's work as "so hard-hitting and real and true".
"I don’t think any actor would ever say no to a Jimmy McGovern script," she added, before going on to discuss why his work continues to wield such power.
"This really is a story of redemption and forgiveness. What Jimmy cleverly does is that you come away from his pieces asking your own questions – but he doesn’t ever tell you what to think," she said.
McGovern echoed that: "I’ve done that carefully and conscientiously. Overall, the big one for me would be that at the end of this film we decide to talk about child abuse in an intelligent and compassionate way.
"To confront child abusers and make them suffer the full rigours of the law. Not soft on child abuse. But to have compassion and attempt understanding. If what comes out of this is intelligence and compassion and openness and a thorough, honest discussion, I will be very happy."
Alongside Schofield, the cast includes a number of familiar faces, plus some you might not be familiar with.
Find the full cast rundown below.
Unforgivable cast
- Austin Haynes as Tom McKinney
- Bobby Schofield as Joe Mitchell
- Anna Friel as Anna Mckinney
- David Threlfall as Brian Mitchell
- Anna Maxwell Martin as Katherine Farrell
- Mark Womack as Paul Patterson
- Finn McParland as Peter Mckinney Jnr
- Paddy Rowan as Sammy Mcveigh
- Phina Oruche plays Jodie Taylor
For more information about the characters and where you've seen the actors who play them before, read on.
Austin Haynes plays Tom McKinney
Who is Tom McKinney? He was sexually abused by his uncle when he was 12 and "hasn't spoken since".
"He will only answer with yes and no," said Anna Friel.
What else has Austin Haynes been in? His credits include Adolescence and The Power of Parker.
Bobby Schofield plays Joe Mitchell
Who is Joe Mitchell? Joe is undergoing rehabilitation after being released from prison for sexually abusing his 12-year-old nephew. He was also sexually abused when he was a child.
"He seems like he's had a close-knit family," said Schofield. "His family trusted him and the effect of what he’s done has changed the dynamic of this loving family... Joe’s actions have had a knock-on effect on the family."
What else has Bobby Schofield been in? You might have watched him in This City Is Ours, SAS Rogue Heroes, The Walk-In, Anne and The Suspect.
Anna Friel plays Anna Mckinney
Who is Anna Mckinney? Joe's sister and Tom's mum. Friel described her as "fiercely protective, somewhat stubborn and very, very hard-working".
"She's holding together a broken family that has been devastated by sexual abuse," she added. "This event has wreaked havoc on the entire family unit and dynamic.
"Her marriage is over, her brother's in prison, and her mother's just died. She financially supports her two sons single-handedly, who she loves very much."
What else has Anna Friel been in? She's known for Marcella, Brookside, Pushing Daisies, Deep Water and Butterfly.
David Threlfall plays Brian Mitchell
Who is Brian Mitchell? Joe and Anna's dad. "The relationship with his dad, Brian, changes over time," said Schofield of the dynamic between the two characters.
"As soon as Brian comes to the conclusion that Joe was abused, he learns that there might be some sort of link here between him being abused and then abusing his nephew."
What else has David Threlfall been in? He's best known for Shameless. Other titles include Nightsleeper, Funny Woman, Passenger, Nowhere Boy and Tommy Cooper: Not Like That, Like This.
Anna Maxwell Martin plays Katherine Farrell
Who is Katherine Farrell? A former nun who runs a halfway house for sex offenders.
"She believes in rehabilitation for people who have formerly been sex offenders," said Martin. "She's an all-round good person."
What else has Anna Maxwell Martin been in? You might have watched her in Motherland, Ludwig, Line of Duty, Until I Kill You, Code 404, Bleak House, Hollington Drive and The Bletchley Circle.
Mark Womack plays Paul Patterson
Who is Paul Patterson? A friend of Brian's. He used to manage Joe's football team when he was a kid.
What else has Mark Womack been in? You might have watched him in The Responder, Emmerdale and Murphy's Law.
Finn McParland plays Peter Mckinney Jnr
Who is Peter Mckinney Jnr? Anna's other son. Peter hasn't been abused, but he's impacted by what's been done to his brother.
"He’s sort of neglected because it's all about Tom," said Schofield. "Joe’s actions have had a knock-on effect on the family."
What else has Finn McParland been in? This appears to be his first major role.
Paddy Rowan plays Sammy Mcveigh
Who is Sammy Mcveigh? He used to play football with Joe when they were boys.
What else has Paddy Rowan been in? His credits include The Bay, Little Boy Blue and G'Wed.
Phina Oruche plays Jodie Taylor
Who is Jodie Taylor? Brian was having an affair with Jodie. After his wife dies, she wants to continue seeing him, but he feels guilty.
What else has Phina Oruche been in? You might know her from Hollyoaks.
Additional Unforgivable cast includes:
- Annette Kate Ekblom (Brookside) plays Sheila Mitchell - Brian's late wife.
- Ash Tandon (The Bay) plays Roger McGinn - the headmaster at Tom and Peter's school.
- John May (This City Is Ours) plays Jack Hargreaves - Joe's probation officer.
- Jonas Armstrong (After the Flood, The Bay) plays Peter McKinney Sr - Anna's ex.
- Natasha Lucia Rea (Emmerdale) plays Anna's boss.
- Martyn Ellis (The New Adventures of Robin Hood) plays Reverend Matthew.
- Nadia Kamalli (G'wed) plays Hannah Mcveigh - Sammy's partner.
- Ryan McKen (Temple, Bancroft) plays Dr Richard Harding.
Anyone affected by this story can find support via the NSPCC website. You can also call the helpline on 0808 800 5000.
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
Abby Robinson is the Drama Editor for Radio Times, covering TV drama and comedy titles. She previously worked at Digital Spy as a TV writer, and as a content writer at Mumsnet. She possesses a postgraduate diploma and a degree in English Studies.
