Unforgivable is a brand new, brutally hard-hitting TV drama coming to BBC Two in 2025, and we’ve got two words to emphasise why it’s the watch of the year – Jimmy McGovern.

The feature-length film is the latest from the acclaimed writer of Time, Cracker, Accused, and Sean Bean‘s Broken. Frankly, masterpieces in their own right. And it’s unlikely Unforgivable will be the exception…

The creator of The Lakes is not afraid to tackle the tough subjects.  This time, his fictional drama centres around the devastated Mitchell family. They are dealing with the aftermath of an act of abuse perpetrated by a member of their own family.

Here’s everything you need to know about Unforgivable on BBC Two, including plot, cast, start date, episodes, and location.

What’s the plot of Jimmy McGovern drama Unforgivable on BBC Two about?

Unforgivable is an original drama from multi-award-winning screenwriter Jimmy McGovern. It explores the horrifying impact of grooming and sexual abuse on one family.

The fictional film 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.

A synopsis says: “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.”

Having served his prison sentence, Joe arrives at St Maura’s, an institution which offers him a home and rehabilitation after his release. With the support of Katherine, an ex-nun, Joe undertakes therapy sessions in the hope of understanding what led him to commit the abuse and to face up to the consequences.

Simultaneously, his sister, Anna is dealing with the enormous impact that Joe’s crime has had on her family, including her sons, Tom, and Peter, and her father, Brian.

Of course, Jimmy McGovern fans will know he cut his teeth on gritty and confronting dramas. His dramas tackle the darkest of subjects, including social issues, morality, and the human condition, often based on real-life events or social injustices.

He frequently tackles issues like religion, poverty, crime, and marginalised communities.

How many episodes is the Jimmy McGovern drama Unforgivable on BBC Two?

The brand new Jimmy McGovern drama is just one episode – it’s a feature-length film.

Viewers can expect it to be around two hours long. It will air on BBC Two.

Who’s in the cast of new BBC Two drama?

The first-look pictures of Unforgivable show Emmy-winner Anna Friel as Anna. She must come to terms with the awful reality of what her brother Joe has done. Of course, TV viewers will know Anna best for her roles in Brookside, Marcella, and Pushing Daisies.

Bobby Schofield plays convict Joe, who is recently released from prison. The Scouse actor is known for his roles in Time, Anne, The Walk-In, SAS Rogue Heroes, and This City is Ours. Don’t hold it against him, but he’s rather good at playing baddies.

BAFTA-winner Anna Maxwell Martin portrays Katherine, a former nun who tries to help Joe with his rehabilitation. The always brilliant Anna recently played Lucy Betts-Taylor in Ludwig, and Delia Balmer in Until I Kill You. She’s probably best known for her stand-out roles in Motherland, Line of Duty, Bleak House, and Code 404. A rare gem, she’s as good at comedy as she is drama.

David Threlfall portrays Joe and Anna’s dad Brian. The actor played Frank Gallagher in Shameless for nearly 10 years. More recently, he’s played Sir Charles Rowan in Dodger, Jim Bracknell in (the totally bonkers) Passenger, George Parker in Gemma Arterton drama Funny Woman, and Paul Peveril in Nightsleeper.

Teenager and child star Austin Haynes stars as Anna’s son Tom. He recently played Fredo in Adolescence.

Further cast includes Emmerdale’s Mark Womack, The Bay‘s Paddy Rowan, Hollyoaks’ Phina Oruche, and Fin McParland in his television debut.

Meanwhile, Julia Ford directed the drama. She’s known for Showtrial, The Bay, and Safe).

Where was Unforgivable filmed?

Unforgivable is set in Liverpool. The BBC drama was filmed there over several months in 2024.

Cast and crew shot last summer amid Liverpool’s terraced streets and the lunar-like quarries of the Wirral.

Jimmy McGovern developed the screenplay after consulting Merseyside support charities, aiming to dramatise “the ripple effect of grooming on every person in the room”.

The BBC drama This City is Ours was also recently set in Liverpool.

How can I watch it? When’s the start date?

The feature-length drama will stream from 6am on Thursday, July 24, 2025. It will air on BBC Two from 9pm that evening.

Now that is definitely worth staying in for.

Read more: Ten of the best ‘hidden gem’ TV dramas you can stream for free right now to get you through the summer of sport

Unforgivable will air at 9pm on BBC Two on Thursday, July 24, 2025, and from 6am on BBC iPlayer.