Unforgivable

I was expecting so much more from this. It skirted around the story with little to no character development except for the lead actor, and seemed as if the script was written by a committee with no cohesion. It all seemed a bit rushed and incomplete in the end. It just goes to show that even with a couple of outstanding performances a poorly written script is always visible.

Great writing, great casting, and the acting was outstanding..a special mention to Bobby Schofield who portrayed his character superbly in what was no doubt a difficult acting task.

IMO this puts him right up there in the acting world, well done Bobby, well done to all involved.. Also a mention to Jimmy Mc and Colin Mc another cracking watch 👍

Joe Mitchell is released from a two-year prison sentence for sexually abusing his nephew. The family struggles to come to grips with his freedom; everyone is still trying to pick up the pieces.

The BBC still has the ability to deliver hard-hitting, powerful, and relevant drama. Unforgivable is unapologetic in dealing with such a serious topic - at times it's upsetting, and the dialogue and impact on Tom are quite harrowing.

It's a story that challenges the notion of things being simply black or white. You think you have all the answers, judge and jury, until you strip it back and learn a bit more.

I appreciated that Joe is complex. At the start, I felt only repulsion for him; by the end, I felt a loathing of a different volume.

If I were to be slightly critical, some elements feel underdeveloped. Anna Maxwell Martin's nun, for example, makes a significant admission, but her story doesn't go anywhere; some scenes are a little rushed. Brian's turnaround also left me unsure.

Bobby Schofield gave a terrific, layered performance, with Joe's character developing as the film went on. David Threlfall and Anna Friel were excellent in support.

While I'm often critical of one-off 90-minute dramas, this story arguably needed a longer run time to breathe and develop. Nevertheless, Jimmy McGovern has delivered a very good, powerful drama.

7.5/10.

I was blown away by the silence and the acting in the silence, my heart was broken for them all. Bobby Schofield is absolutely incredible. Can't wait to watch him in the future.

All the characters had important roles, they showed the heartache that abuse causes in families. Anna frail was amazing as always.

Please be aware that some reviews on here contain spoilers; I'm glad I didn't see any before I watched it.

The acting in this show is top notch by everyone, and Anna Maxwell-Martin was an inspired addition to the cast.

If you like crime dramas and gritty content, then you will likely enjoy this. I'd give it 10 out 10 if only it had been longer; it ended fairly abruptly.