Unforgotten - ITV - starts Thursday October 8th at 9pm

[sadwidow28]

ITV’s six episode thriller series Unforgotten from former ITV drama executives Laura Mackie and Sally Haynes’ fledgling indie Mainstreet Pictures will premiere on Thursday October 8th at 9pm, it has been announced.

Penned by Undeniable scribe Chris Lang, Unforgotten tells the story of an 39 year old cold investigation into the murder of a boy who was killed in 1976. The modern day investigation is run by DCI Cassie Stuart and DI Sunil ‘Sunny’ Khan, who must re-examine the evidence and investigate the key suspects – Robert Greaves, Frank Philip Cross, Lizzie Wilton and Eric Slater – in order to close the case. The series utilises a multi-stranded narrative, set in different parts of the country, which explores and connects each of the principle characters.

The six-parter is produced by Mainstreet Pictures and features a large cast that includes Sanjeev Bhaskar (The Kumars), Nicola Walker (Last Tango In Halifax), Trevor Eve (Waking The Dead), Bernard Hill (The Grid), Ruth Sheen (Our Girl), Tom Courtenay (The Dresser), Gemma Jones (Marvellous), Brian Bovell (Death in Paradise), Cherie Lunghi (Casualty), Hannah Gordon (Hustle), Claire Goose (Mount Pleasant) Tamzin Malleson (Midsomer Murders), Peter Egan (Downton Abbey), and Frances Tomelty (Catastrophe). Ripper Street helmer Andy Wilson was the director.

Fawn,
Its on at 9pm tonight.
The tv stills look interesting. They all have things to hide.
Sadwidow, i loved your comment about the parents' night too! You must miss him.

The80s thank you!
I am so excited I am an hour ahead of myself....

Okey dokey folks, the dog has been walked and fed and he is now sitting on the decking under the twinkly lights (he's 16 years old so eyesight is a bit of a problem - but he can see twinkly lights and torches).

A siren has just been sounded from 1m down the road and the dog thinks he is on duty (He is a failed police dog - but then did search and rescue with me).

I have put a freshly laundered dog-mattress on the decking and left the door open ................

I'll pour the wine now

I have a big bag of nuts and raisins.

15 minutes to go ................

If anyone needs to watch live on a laptop (as I do at the holiday home) this is the link:

www.itv.com/itvplayer/itv

I get pixelation and drop in audio on the TV when the trees move their leaves!

Let's start making connections (reference to the diary entries)

Errrr.... Mumnetters know who you have to speak to! We even know how names have changed over the years (LoL)

So Jimmy's Mum has entered the drama. Her grief is palpable - I think this is Frances Tomelty. Am I correct?

sadwidow yup, that's Frances Tomelty (the mother).

sadwidow

Catching up now cos DH watches the American comedies on E4

Lots of connections in episode 2.

I thought it managed to pull back the manic pace from last week. In fact, if ITV had done a 2 hour opening episode, it would have worked far better IMO.

A longer first episode for a series is a device used often used by ITV - including Downton Abbey.

Sadwidow, i am sorry your on your own. I know you have your pets, but its not the same. I enjoy the chats on here, (dh and i should go out more really, but TV is cheaper! ) they always put better TV on over the winter i think.

I enjoyed it, the rev obviously staged the robbery. He knows Jo Jo who gave Jimmy the diary. Lizzie is such a liar!
Phillip is so like Lord Sugar!

The80sweregreat

I am sure that when you said "Phillip is so like Lord Sugar" you meant background and determination in a hypothetical sense because Sir Phillip is a character in a TV Drama.

Sir Phillip Frankie Cross

Known as Frankie C in 1970s and his name in Jimmy's diary/contact names and numbers.

Now I ate home-cooked fish and chips during that episode and I have a very unusually physical condition where I have to sleep immediately after eating.

Catch you later (my head is in over-heat now)

The woman who wears all those rings.....anyone else think she helps kids out in the present as her way of atoning.

The rings were to cover tattoos on her fingers, I think.

I really am enjoying this. Brilliant cast and acting.

And didn't she (rings woman) and her husband lose a teenage son? She kissed a plaque at the football place, I think (ep 1) with a name and dates on it.

Yes i know I meant she was atoning for being a skinhead in the 70s.

hi, no I meant he looks like him with the beard and everything!! the background is similar too. I know its not based on Lord Sugar, but when they were in that room it seemed like an episode of the apprentice!
I wonder what powers they have to re interview people without any evidence or eye witnesses that place them with Jimmy? I think Eric's wife comes up with something soon, when she is lucid she knows things about him. Or the mysterious Jo Jo?

I liked the nod to Columbo in the board room with Sir Alan, I mean Sir Philip, "Just one more thing ...."

Tom Courtney looks like Alex Ferguson.
France's Tomelty was very good.
It's all great viewing.
I'm not worrying about the clues and plot hints - just immersing myself in a really classy production.

Gosh Frances Tomelty was good. No mawkishness. "Making a video for the YouTube"

Can't remember the last thing I watched with such a good cast. I thought something had happened to my play back thingy when it ended - it went so fast and was compelling without any blood and gore and running down dark streets in the rain.

The rings were to cover tattoos on her fingers

Absolutely correct. She has S K I N on her right hand. One assumes she has H E A D on her left hand.

She is Beth/Lizzie Wilton - married to Ray Wilton. On page 4 of this thread, there's a screen capture of the plaque in the changing rooms which says:

In memory of Michael Ray Wilton 1991-2006

Beloved and only son of Elizabeth and Ray.

Always in our hearts.

I agree with everyone about Frances Tomelty being absolutely superb. She got the tone absolutely right. The fact that she wants to feel Jimmy's weight one more time - even if it is only bones; and she has bought a plot at St Michael's for them both to be together again one day.....very moving.

ProfYaffle I missed the nod to Columbo in the boardroom. Well spotted.

The80sweregreat Oh, I have got you now. Yes, he does sort of reflect Sir Alan Sugar and the Apprentice. Very similar backgrounds as well (barring the association with crooks in his younger days - not heard that about Lord Sugar) but Sir Phillip is a totally believable character. However, he was so rude and evasive last night, aloof and untouchable, I almost want it to be HIM and he comes a cropper! Also when Liam told him that 'disclosure' was not at HIS discretion and Sir Phillip was very aggressive with him.

This series is doing so well to get us all hooked and having opinions about the characters by episode 2.

Oh another good spot The80sweregreat Father Rob (Greaves) made a call to Joanna from a phone box (the voice message says "This is Joanna") and father Rob leaves a message "Hi Jo-Jo, it's me. Errr, I need to talk to you as soon as possible. Erm, I'll call you first thing." Yes, Jo-Jo is the person who gave Jimmy the diary in 1976.

Now note that father Rob didn't say his name - so they must still be in touch if he expects her to simply recognise his voice and know who called.

As for staging the robbery - I agree. I wonder if there is blackmail or gambling problem going on. He has few morals though as he blamed Claire for putting a £2,000 cheque into their personal account (the Bishop has been pressurising him over a £2,000 discrepancy in the accounts) but Claire will surely find out that her ring is missing won't she? Father Rob has pawned it!

The other thing I noticed The80sweregreat (because we were discussing Sunny's marital status yesterday) as episode 2 opened, it became clear that DS Sunny is definitely a single dad with 2 daughters.

Sunny: She said she found it.
Cassie: Bottle of Vodka?
Sunny: So I said, so you found that like you found the 20 quid in my wallet last week.
Cassie: So what did she say to that?
Sunny: She said she wishes it was me who'd left and not her Mum.
Cassie: Nice.
Sunny: If I try to ground her she makes my life hell.
Cassie: Hmm...I'd like to say it gets better but you've got 2 girls. It just gets much, much worse.
Sunny: Oh fabulous!

Other things we learned from episode 2

• Jimmy was reported missing in November 1976 (last diary entry is July 12th 1976)
• The missing poster says that last believed sighting was July 1976
• Jimmy was reported missing by his Mum (Maureen).
• Father (Thomas) came over from Barbados after the war.
• Mum gets pregnant aged 15 yrs and family disown her.
• Father is an alcoholic who beats Mum, and Jimmy when he gets older.
• Mum then becomes alcoholic.
• Jimmy left a note for Mum to say "gone to London to find work. Will send money to help you escape". Lots of letters - but they stopped in July 1976.
• After 4 months, Mum went to London and told the police.
• Jimmy was into football (Liverpool scarf on bed and pictures on bedroom wall)
• Uncle Robbo got him some work 'pulling bricks' (Not Father Rob Greaves because Jimmy met him when he went to church.)
• Went to see a punk band and also watched a NF Rally from bedroom window.
• Has a girlfriend.

• Sir Phillip rejects Josh's request for help (using Sir Phillip's name on letterhead)
• Sir Phillip asks Josh in boardroom meeting if he had done 'due diligence' checks on them.
• Josh's backers and/or their associates are mixed up in all sorts of criminal activity so there is no way Sir P could do business with them - EVER.
• When known as Frankie C he was 'a face on the street' and ran a stall down Chapel Market.
• Might have briefly been a driver for the Fenwicks (a North London 'Firm' - protection, prostitution. Not many people worked for them for any length of time before they had to do 'pretty horrible stuff').
• The landline number next to Frankie C's name in diary was registered to Mr Gordon Fenwick from 1973 to 1987.
• 3 murder cases against the Fenwicks (but no convictions).

• Beth Laws (now Lizzie Wilton) rented a room from Mrs Leeming.
• She was a 'skinhead' - and so was her boyfriend.
• Mrs Leeming heard disgusting racist talk from Beth and her boyfriend.
• Were evicted for non-payment of rent.
• Vincent Erskine was Beth's boyfriend for nearly 2 years and had co-convictions.
• Erskine served time for murder of a postal worker - but died in prison 14 years ago from Hepatitis C.
• Lizzie moved to London from Crawley and ended up having problems with alcohol and 'other stuff'.
• Married Ray Wilton in 1988
• Lizzie denies being a racist "Not now, not then, not ever"
• Stayed at Arlington House 8 times (5 of which when Jimmy was there).

-Father Rob went to Caroline's scan (not sure who Caroline is yet - possibly daughter when Rob says "I am just trying to be around a bit more").

• He blames Grace (wife) for making an error with paying a cheque into their personal account.
• Money has been repaid to the Diocesan account (from pawning/selling Grace's diamond ring) so, "All sorted".

• Eric Slater was book-keeper for the hostel (working there when Jimmy was a resident)
• Finds out about the newly opened inquiry via newspaper

• 27 Arlingham Place opened as a hostel in 1972 and closed in late '90s

-----------------
Best dialogue in episode 2:

Sir Phillip: Call me old fashioned but it is common courtesy to call ahead.
Sunny: Please accept our apologies Mr Cross.
Sir Phillip: Please..... call me Sir Phillip.

I do so want Sir Phillip to be demoted back to Frankie C #Tosser!

The fact that nobody wants to admit knowing Jimmy suggests that the 4 protagonists are somehow interlinked in Jimmy's death.

My question: what is the significance of the box of letters Martin (Dad) left for Cassie to read? They were written to Cassie's Mum 20 years ago.

Specially for The80sweregreat

Sir Phillip doing his "You are Fired" sign ala Lord Sugar.

I thought the wife was Hanna Gordon and Grace is the woman who works in the church hall and would usually have brought the takings home. Bet the vicar knew that her car was still in the garage and she'd leave them there.

Also how did the gambling (?) vicar know Jo-Jo's number after 39 years?

I wondered why Cassie's dad left her the letters too. Not sure if its relevant or not yet.
Unless its possible child abuse, which i doubt now, i do wonder if it was an accident gone wrong. I am waiting for someone to mention just how hot 1976 was! From june to mid august it was positively baking compared to normal brit summers. Lizzie is the most racist out of all of them. It was hinted the police lost interest in his disappearance as Jimmy was mixed race. Sad, but a lot of that type of attitude in the 70s.
Poor Jimmys mum, already an outcast for being a single mum, then nobody bothered when he went missing. In the days before mobiles, cctv , social networking and the internet it was harder to keep in touch. She probably had no idea how to go about trying to find him in london. She was an alcoholic too, so probably no money either to go down there. Agree, Francis was great. Very strong Irish accent, very sad too.
I am sure DS sunny said ' cassie is driving up to liverpool' then we saw her on the train. Dh said i was wrong!
They must find some evidence or someone fesses up next week i feel. Not sure how they could progress otherwise.
Been a compelling story. Nice to see so many good actors in one place.