UNFORGIVABLE - Thur 24/7 bbc 2 - 9pm - TV PACE NO SPOILERS

[Blondeshavemorefun]

Very weird This in on bbc 2 not one. Maybe due to sport ?

Sure many will miss it

The series, titled Unforgivable (https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/drama/jimmy-mcgovern-bbc-drama-anna-friel-anna-maxwell-martin-newsupdate/), is said to explore the impact of grooming and sexual abuse on one family, and the images give us glimpses of stars including Anna Friel (Marcella), Anna Maxwell Martin (Line of Duty (https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/drama/line-of-duty-cast/)), Bobby Schofield (SAS Rogue Heroes (https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/drama/sas-rogue-heroes-season-3-release-date/)) and David Threlfall (Nightsleeper (https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/drama/nightsleeper-season-2-release-date/)) in character.

The drama is set and filmed in Liverpool, and 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.

The synopsis for Unforgivable says: "Having served his prison sentence, Joe (Schofield) arrives at St Maura's, an institution which offers him a home and rehabilitation after his release.

With the support of Katherine (Martin), 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 (Friel), is dealing with the enormous impact that Joe's crime has had on her family - her sons, Tom (Austin Haynes) and Peter (Fin McParland), and her father, Brian (Threlfall).

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."

The series also stars Mark Womack (The Responder), Paddy Rowan (This Town) and Phina Oruche (Magpie Murders (https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/drama/moonflower-murders-cast/)) in supporting roles.

Beyond Time, McGovern has also been known for creating shows including The Street, Moving On, Accused, Banished and Broken.

I shall certainly be watching this.

with Jimmy writing it I hope it’s gonna be really good

I thought this was a series but looks like it’s one off drama

Just saw this in my TV guide. I had missed @Blondeshavemorefun thread. I will certainly watch and it is a one off drama lasting 1 and 3/4 hours

Yes, a one off drama. It's available to watch already so I'm going to watch at 8pm. I need to get to bed early tonight.

on tonight 9pm

It’s an all-star cast for this prestige drama. Anna Friel (Marcella) plays Anna; Bobby Schofield (Time, SAS Rogue Heroes) plays Joe; and Anna Maxwell Martin (Motherland) is Katherine. Bafta-winner David Threlfall (Shameless) is Brian, Joe’s father; while Austin Haynes (Adolescence) and Fin McParland play Anna’s sons.

Watched on iPlayer. Bloody brilliant and thought provoking

I’ve just watched it .Not something I would usually be interested in.
It was absolutely brilliant.So well written.

I’m just watching. As a CSA survivor and the parent of one I’m really hoping this does justice to the victims and doesn’t pander to the scum but being that it’s BBC and the BBC are more well known for protecting offenders than victims I’m not optimistic

Not sure what to make of it/the ending

Such a powerful story and fabulous acting but a very difficult watch. Wasn’t expecting that ending at all.

Very good - well acted and thought provoking with an emotional ending.

I was riveted.
My thoughts re:the ending was that Joe's dad's hug was his way of saying he believed him and the invitation for "a pint" was possibly the start of his road to forgiveness - despite his crime being unforgivable.
Desperately sad all round.

All reactions to this drama, brilliantly acted and directed, are valid in my opinion. Did I feel compassion for those who were abused? Yes. Did I feel compassion for the abusers? No. Stayed up later than I thought I would because of past events in my life. Just wanted to watch it. Glad I did.

I felt compassion for Joe and Sammy at the end. I’m glad Joe’s dad was there for him after the trial. It was a very absorbing drama with three dimensional characters.

It was very thought provoking and I didn’t think I would feel like that

that I felt for both abused and abusers

tho did he abuse as was abused

it was very worth the watch and thought provoking

If you don't have any compassion for the abuser in this drama then you are cold with no forgiveness in your heart. It might not excuse what the character Joe did but at the very least it goes someway to explain it.

Same! I watched this yesterday and could have wept when it suddenly finished 😭🤣 It was so good that I just wanted it to keep going.

A difficult watch but well written and acted.
My only question was would Joe really have received a 4 year sentence for a first offence? I’m not saying it wasn’t serious and absolutely the safety of children going forward should be a concern.
Sorry if I’m completely wrong and I hope my query hasn’t upset anyone. I am not trivialising the abuse.
Edited to add ‘not’

What abusers are you talking about? Joe obviously elicits compassion, given what he suffered as a child but his abuser - no. However the complexity of Joe's subsequent behaviour is extremely difficult to come to terms with, especially with viewers who have personal experience with this. The father son resolution was understandable.

This was powerful but harrowing , brilliant writing and acting by all.

I didn't think I'd feel compassion for Joe but I did by the end . His dad felt for him eventually . I'm not saying he did no wrong , because he did , but the full story was meant to make us think.

I’m in Anna Friels position with the offender due out in a weeks time. I would have been interested to see how the forgiveness by the dad affected her relationship with the dad because, personally, anyone that sympathises with the abuser in my case isn’t much better than the abuser in my opinion. I was disappointed to see Joe win any level of forgiveness but appreciate it’s too close a subject for me to be objective. I thought the way they portrayed the impact on the boys was very well done and how the dynamic in the family shifts because of the abuse and the primary victim which creates a secondary victim. That side was well portrayed and accurate.

So sorry and hope you are ok x