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In an era where television often serves as a comforting escape, Unforgivable arrives like a bucket of ice water to the face. If you were looking for a feel-good binge, you’ve made a spectacularly wrong turn. This is a story that begins after the bomb has already gone off.

We are dropped into a working-class Liverpool family shattered from within by a sexual abuse crime. The story sidesteps the act itself to focus entirely on its toxic, sprawling aftermath. At the center is Anna, a mother played by Anna Friel with the brittle energy of someone running on pure rage.

Her son, Tom, has retreated into a fortress of silence following the abuse. And the cause of it all, Anna’s brother Joe, is about to be released from prison. His return isn’t just a plot point; it’s a lit fuse brought back to a house full of gunpowder.

Fans of British crime dramas, there's another upcoming project you'll want to add to your watch list. Another in a long line of BBC crime series, the upcoming Unforgivable, set to debut on BBC Two and iPlayer later this year, is ready to explore another pressing topic as it explores how grooming and sexual abuse affect not just the victim but the lives of their family as well. Ahead of the show's release, first-look images of a selection of the cast have been released via Radio Times and are available below.

The series is the next project from Jimmy McGovern, best known for penning the huge global hit Time, which starred Game of Thrones' Sean Bean in its first season, and The Last of Us star Bella Ramsey in its second. The series boasts a cast of eye-catching performers, led by Marcella's Anna Friel, Line of Duty's Anna Maxwell Martin,...

The BBC has released first-look images from Unforgivable, the latest drama from Jimmy McGovern, set to air later this year on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer. Shot in Liverpool and centred on the Mitchell family, the series deals with the aftermath of abuse committed within the home. The images suggest a tightly wound drama built […]

First Look at Jimmy McGovern’s BBC Drama <i>Unforgivable</i>, Starring Anna Friel...

Liverpool’s BBC Two schedule gained fresh momentum yesterday when the corporation unveiled first-look images from Unforgivable, a 90-minute drama written by Jimmy McGovern and fronted by Anna Friel and Anna Maxwell Martin.

Shot last summer amid Liverpool’s terraced streets and the lunar-like quarries of the Wirral, the film follows the Mitchell family as they navigate the fallout from abuse perpetrated by son Joe, newly released from prison and played by Bobby Schofield. Director Julia Ford frames Joe’s uneasy rehabilitation at St Maura’s halfway house while ex-nun Katherine (Maxwell Martin) guides him through therapy sessions that force the family to confront long-buried guilt.

McGovern developed the screenplay after consulting Merseyside support charities, aiming to dramatise “the ripple effect of grooming on every person in the room,” according to producer Donna Molloy of LA Productions.

Executive producer Colin McKeown called the subject matter “profoundly challenging but urgently necessary...

First Look At Anna Maxwell-Martin In Jimmy McGovern’s ‘Unforgivable’

Here’s a first look at prolific British scribe Jimmy McGovern’s latest BBC sexual abuse drama, Unforgivable. The images, more of which can be seen below, show Emmy winner Anna Friel (Marcella), Bobby Schofield (Time), Anna Maxwell-Martin (Motherland), David Threlfall (Shameless) and Austin Haynes (Adolescence) in character. The show, filmed and set in Liverpool, follows Schofield’s Joe, who arrives at an institution offering him a home and rehab after he finishes a prison sentence. He begins therapy sessions with ex-nun Katherine (Maxwell-Martin), while his sister, Anna (Friel), deals with the enormous impact his crime has had on her family. Time and Cracker writer McGovern wrote the scripts, with LA Productions producing the BBC Two and BBC iPlayer drama. Julia Ford is the director and Donna Molloy the producer. McGovern and Colin McKeown from LA Productions are exec...

On Wednesday 30 April 2025, BBC Four broadcasts Jimmy McGovern Remembers… Priest!

Episode Summary

In the upcoming episode of “Jimmy McGovern Remembers… Priest,” airing on BBC Four, viewers will get a unique opportunity to hear from the acclaimed screenwriter himself. Jimmy McGovern reflects on his well-known 1995 drama, “Priest,” which sparked conversations and debates at the time of its release.

The episode dives into McGovern’s original intention behind the story. He initially aimed to explore the theme of celibacy among Catholic priests. However, as he developed the narrative, it evolved into a deeper exploration of homosexuality within the church. This shift not only changed the direction of the drama but also raised important questions about faith, love, and identity.

McGovern’s insights promise to provide an intriguing look into the creative process and the challenges faced when tackling sensitive subjects. Fans of the original drama, as well as those interested in the...

Ken Jeong, best known for his hilarious roles in movies like The Hangover and Crazy Rich Asians, as well as the outspoken clue master on The Masked Singer, surprised audiences with a dramatic turn in "Eugene's Story" on Fox's anthology series Accused.

"They wrote a story with me in mind," Jeong tells Gold Derby. "It was my first dramatic lead in anything. I just jumped at this opportunity. Dramatic opportunities are very rare for me — for totally understandable and obvious reasons — but I was completely honored and flattered that they would even think of me for a show as prestigious as Accused. It turned out to be one of my favorite things I've ever done."

In "Eugene's Story," Jeong plays a jewelry store owner put on trial after accidentally shooting his wife, Grace (Jamie Chung), while interfering with her dicey past. The episode was directed by Michael Chiklis and written by Howard Gordon,...

“Jimmy McGovern Remembers… Priest” is set to air on BBC Four at 10:00 Pm on Wednesday, April 30, 2025. This special program features acclaimed screenwriter Jimmy McGovern as he revisits his groundbreaking drama, “Priest,” which first hit screens in 1995. The show promises an insightful look into the creative process behind a film that sparked conversations and controversy.

In this retrospective, McGovern shares his initial inspiration for “Priest,” which began with a desire to explore the complex topic of celibacy among Catholic priests. However, as the story evolved, it transformed into a powerful narrative that delves into themes of homosexuality and the struggles faced by individuals within the church. McGovern’s candid reflections offer a unique perspective on the challenges and triumphs of bringing such a sensitive subject to life on screen.

Viewers can expect a blend of personal anecdotes and behind-the-scenes insights, making this program a must-watch for fans of the original...

On Wednesday 16 April 2025, BBC Four broadcasts Jimmy McGovern Remembers… The Lakes!

Episode Summary

The upcoming episode of “Jimmy McGovern Remembers… The Lakes” on BBC Four promises to take a nostalgic look at the 1997 drama that captivated audiences with its raw storytelling. Jimmy McGovern, the writer behind the series, reflects on how “The Lakes” presented a different view of one of Britain’s most cherished locations. Instead of the usual picturesque scenery, the show delved into darker themes, exploring issues like crime, drugs, sex, and betrayal.

In this episode, McGovern shares insights about the creation of the series and the impact it had on viewers. He discusses the characters and the storylines that challenged the conventional image of the Lake District. The beauty of the landscape contrasts sharply with the struggles faced by the characters, making for a compelling narrative.

Fans of the original series will find this episode particularly engaging...

On Wednesday, April 16, 2025, at 10:00 Pm, BBC Four will air “Jimmy McGovern Remembers… The Lakes.” This special program offers a unique opportunity for fans of British television to revisit the acclaimed drama that first aired in 1997. Writer Jimmy McGovern takes viewers on a nostalgic journey, reflecting on the impact of “The Lakes” and its portrayal of one of Britain’s most picturesque locations.

“The Lakes” is not just a beautiful backdrop; it dives deep into the darker aspects of life, showcasing themes of crime, drugs, sex, and adultery. McGovern’s writing brought a raw and honest perspective to the region, challenging the idyllic image often associated with such stunning landscapes. As he reminisces about the series, audiences can expect to gain insights into his creative process and the motivations behind the storylines that captivated viewers.

This retrospective promises to be both enlightening and engaging, as McGovern shares behind-the-scenes stories and...

With so many in-depth legal dramas on TV these days, any long-time viewer could end up feeling like a lawyer themselves after binge-watching some of the best lawyer shows. Some legal dramas spend less time than others on the law aspect, whereas others have clearly spent months researching and working with real-life defense attorneys. Many lawyer TV shows feature a different case each week, but the very best legal dramas go further than the procedural nature of the genre and take some major risks.

These shows are also nothing new to television and go back almost to the beinning. In 1957, Perry Mason made his first appearance on television in a role that Raymond Burr stretched out for a decade. Matlock followed in a role that lasted just as long in the 1980s. Soon, things changed to show groups of attorneys in the best lawyer shows that focused on both the...

Accused Season 2 has a whole new batch of cast members which includes the likes of Desperate Housewives star Felicity Huffman, Jurassic Park III's William H. Macy, and How I Met Your Mother alum Cobie Smulders.

Created by Jimmy McGovern, Accused is a crime anthology series where each episode chronicles the story of the defendant as they await their verdict in court. 

The series is based on the British TV show of the same name. Accused Season 2 premiered on Fox on October 8.

Read full article on The Direct.

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Hulu is ready with an entertainment-packed October this year. The upcoming month will see the return of some brilliant comedy series Abbott Elementary and also new original movies like Hold Your Breath. Just like every month, Hulu is ready to overload you with great content. So, we’re here to tell you about the 13 new movies and TV shows coming to Hulu in October 2024.

Last Days of the Space Age Season 1 (October 2)

Last Days of the Space Age is an Australian drama series created by David Chidlow. The upcoming Hulu series is set in 1979 in Perth, Western Australia and it revolves around three families after the American space station Skylab crash landed on earth just outside the city. Last Days of the Space Age stars Sam Delich, Jesse Spencer, Deborah Mailman, Iain Glen, Linh-Dan Pham, Thomas Weatherall, and George Mason.

Exclusive: Sonequa Martin-Green, Mike Colter, Jamie Chung, Sherri Saum, and Kiara Barnes have joined Season 2 of Fox’s crime procedural Accused.

Martin-Green and Colter will lead the finale, titled “Megan’s Story,” as Megan and John, respectively. Barnes play Eve in the same episode, in which a music executive’s marriage to her husband is threatened by a beautiful seductress.

Chung will play the character Grace in “Eugene’s Story,” and Saum will play the character Erica in “Justin’s Story.”

In “Eugene’s Story,” a kind-hearted jewelry store owner is put on trial after his wife’s past throws their present into chaos. “Justin’s Story” sees a wrestling coach is on trial after he pushes his star wrestler too far.

The new cast joins some heavy hitters who have already been announced for Season 2, including Felicity Huffman, Taylor Schilling, Patrick J. Adams, William H. Macy, Justin Chambers, Danny Pino and Nick Cannon.

A new original drama from the BBC, penned by the multi-award-winning screenwriter Jimmy McGovern, is set to explore the profound impact of grooming and sexual abuse on a family. Directed by Julia Ford, the untitled single drama will be produced by LA Productions for BBC iPlayer and BBC One. Set and filmed in Liverpool, the […]

New Jimmy McGovern BBC One Drama Explores Impact of Grooming and Abuse on One Family...

Writer Jimmy McGovern has penned an original 90 minute drama for the BBC, and details have been released. More here.

The BBC has announced that a new, feature-length drama written by Jimmy McGovern is in production. Currently untitled, the new film is “set and filmed in Liverpool. The fictional drama centres around the Mitchell family who are dealing with the devastating aftermath of an act of abuse, and the knowledge that it was perpetrated by a member of their own family who, after serving his sentence, has just been released from prison”.

Anna Friel, who was BAFTA-nominated for her previous work with Jimmy McGovern in Broken, leads the cast alongside Bobby Schofield, Anna Maxwell Martin, David Threlfall and Mark Womack.

Julia Ford is directing.

McGovern said “I can’t believe the cast and crew that have been assembled for this production. It’s a challenging film, yes, but I can’t...

Anna Friel, David Threlfall and Anna Maxwell Martin are among the cast of an upcoming BBC single drama from Time writer Jimmy McGovern about grooming and sexual abuse.

Set and filmed in Liverpool, the currently-unnamed drama, per the synoposis, “centres around the Mitchell family, who are dealing with the devastating aftermath of an act of abuse, and the knowledge that it was perpetrated by a member of their own family who, after serving his sentence, has just been released from prison.”

Friel (Marcella, Pushing Daisies), who was BAFTA-nominated for her work in Jimmy McGovern’s Broken, leads the cast alongside Maxwell Martin (Motherland, A Spy Among Friends, Poppy Shakespeare), BAFTA-winner Threlfall (Nightsleeper, Shameless, Housewife 49), Bobby Schofield (Time, Anne, Sas Rogue Heroes), BAFTA-winner and Mark Womack (The Responder, Playing the Field, Moving On). Further casting will be announced in due course.

McGovern’s LA Productions is making the drama, which...

The BBC on Thursday unveiled an original new drama from screenwriter Jimmy McGovern (Time, Cracker, The Street) which will explore “the impact of grooming and sexual abuse on one family.”

Emmy winner Anna Friel (Marcella, Pushing Daisies), who was BAFTA-nominated for her previous work with McGovern in Broken, leads the cast alongside Bobby Schofield (Time, Anne, Sas Rogue Heroes), BAFTA winner Anna Maxwell Martin (Motherland, A Spy Among Friends, Poppy Shakespeare), BAFTA winner David Threlfall (Nightsleeper, Shameless, Housewife 49) and Mark Womack (The Responder, Playing the Field, Moving On).

Further casting will be unveiled “in due course,” the BBC said.

Directed by Julia Ford (Showtrial, The Bay, Safe), the as-yet-untitled 90-minute single drama will be made by LA Productions (Broken, Anthony, Care) for BBC iPlayer and BBC One.

“Set and filmed in Liverpool, the fictional drama centers around the Mitchell family who are dealing with the devastating aftermath of an act of abuse,...

Anna Friel and Anna Maxwell Martin are set to star in a new BBC drama from “Time” creator Jimmy McGovern.

The as yet untitled 90-minute drama will explore the themes of grooming and sexual abuse in the context of one family, the Mitchell family, who must grapple with the aftermath of abuse after the perpetrator – a relative – is released from prison.

Bobby Schofield (“Time”), David Threlfall (“Nightsleeper”) and Mark Womack (“The Responder”) star alongside Friel, who is known for her work on “Marcella” and “Pushing Daisies” and “Motherland’s” Maxwell Martin.

More casting is set to be confirmed in due course.

Julia Ford (“Showtrial”) will direct. LA Productions (“Broken”) are producing. Donna Molloy is also a producer. McGovern exec produces alongside Colin McKeown for LA Productions and Nawfal Faizullah and Katherine Bond for the BBC.

McGovern is known for creating a plethora of popular dramas including “Cracker” and the prison series “Time,...

The trailer for Accused season 2 reveals the high-stakes story to come for the Fox crime drama, including an appearance from Suits star Patrick J. Adams. Developed by Homeland co-creator Alex Gansa and based on the British show of the same name, Accused is among the shows returning to Fox in just a few weeks. It's an anthology that puts the spotlight on defendants as they go on trial, with each episode bringing in new guest actors and focusing on a new story.

TVLine has shared the trailer for Accused season 2, ahead of the show's return on Tuesday, October 8 at 8 Pm Et on Fox.

After the Accused season 1 guest cast included the likes of Rachel Bilson, known for The O.C. and Heart of Dixie and The Americans star Margo Martindale, the preview highlights some of the familiar faces to come.

Who Stars In Accused Season 2? One Actor Will Be Reprising Their...

Fox has added several new faces to Season 2 of Howard Gordon’s Accused. Cobie Smulders, Vella Lovell, Dina Shihabi and Isabel Arraiza will join the upcoming installment of the crime anthology series.

They join some heavy hitters who have already been announced for Season 2, including Felicity Huffman, Taylor Schilling, Patrick J. Adams, William H. Macy, Justin Chambers, Danny Pino and Nick Cannon. Michael Chiklis is also returning in front of and behind the camera, after starring in the premiere and directing a later episode in Season 1.

L-r: Cobie Smulders, Vella Lovell, Dina Shihabi and Isabel Arraiza

Alongside the new cast announcement, Fox also revealed a first look at Season 2 in a short teaser on Thursday. The clip is embedded above.

The teaser reveals that Huffman and Macy will star in the same episode, though it’s unclear exactly what their story will be. The teaser also includes scenes with Adams and Cannon,...

Exclusive: Fox’s anthology series Accused has added Debra Winger (An Officer and a Gentleman), Mercedes Ruehl (The Fisher King) and Christine Ebersole (Wolf of Wall Street) to its Season 2 cast. Matthew James Thomas, who appeared in Season 1, will return in a new role.

Season 2 premieres Tuesday, October 8 at 8 p.m., a new date following a delay due to the upcoming Vice Presidential debate.

Accused is a collection of intense, topical human stories of crime and punishment. Told from the defendant’s point of view through flashbacks, each episode is a fast-paced provocative thriller, exploring a different crime, in a different city with an entirely original cast. The series is based on the BBC BAFTA Award-winning crime anthology of the same name created by Jimmy McGovern.

The series also stars Felicity Huffman, William H. Macy, Nick Cannon and Michael Chiklis.

Winger, Ruehl, Ebersole and Thomas will appear in the episode...

Fox has pushed the season 2 premiere of anthology crime series Accused to Tuesday, October 8 from its original October 1 date due to the recently scheduled vice presidential debate between Governor Tim Walz (D-mn) and Sen. J.D. Vance (R-oh), hosted by CBS News.

The season 2 premiere will air at 8 pm on October 8, followed by Murder in a Small Town. The second episode of Murder in a Small Town will still air on October 1, but now at 8 pm, followed by the debate, the network said Friday.

From Fox Entertainment and Sony Pictures Television, Accused is a collection of intense, topical human stories of crime and punishment. Told from the defendant’s point of view through flashbacks, each episode is a fast-paced provocative thriller, exploring a different crime, in a different city with an entirely original cast. The series is based on the BBC BAFTA Award-winning crime anthology of the same name created by Jimmy McGovern.

Sky Studios has hired former BBC Studios drama head Priscilla Parish to join it in-house creative team.

Parish will join UK director of original series Meghan Lyver’s team as senior executive producer as the studio looks to build out its slate of new and returning scripted titles.

In her role, Parish will work with third-party indies as well as Sky’s production team to oversee the creation of Sky original titles. She takes up her position this month, reporting into Lyvers.

Parish joins having previously served as head of drama at Bbcs for four years before standing down last November.

Celebrity married couple Felicity Huffman and William H. Macy are once again reuniting on screen, and TheWrap has your first look at their new role. The stars will be part of the premiere episode of “Accused” Season 2 on Fox.

Titled “Lorraine’s Story,” the first episode of this new season will see Huffman as Lorraine, a woman who embeds herself into a family after claiming to see a psychic vision of their missing child. Macy’s role has yet to be announced. The episode will premiere on Oct. 1.

From “24” and “Homeland” showrunner Howard Gordon, “Accused” is based on the 2010 British series of the same name that was created by Jimmy McGovern. Each episode of the anthology thriller opens in a courtroom and explores a different crime in a different city with a completely different cast. Episodes are told through the defendant’s point of view through flashbacks as audiences discover...

Patrick J. Adams' role in Accused could allow him to be the bad guy Mike Ross never was in Suits. Adams plays Pete in Accused season 2, a potentially nefarious character in the crime drama. Accused takes twists and turns, so, Adams' character in the episode could be the guilty party.

After starring as Mike Ross in Suits for more than seven seasons, Patrick J. Adams is set to appear in a different drama TV show, and, hopefully, he will get the chance to play the type of character that Mike never could be. The USA Network series, created by Aaron Korsh, ran for nine seasons before ending in September 2019. Four years later, though, Suits had a resurgence when added to Netflix, resulting in a new spinoff, which Adams won't star in as a series regular. Nevertheless, Adams will continue his legal/crime drama career in Accused season 2 on Fox.

Patrick J.

Patrick J. Adams has joined the cast of Accused, showcasing his talent in legal dramas from a different perspective. Adams will be on the other side of the law in Accused, providing a fresh take on his legal expertise honed in Suits. While Adams' return to Suits for its spinoff is uncertain, there is still hope for Mike Ross fans to see him back in action.

Patrick J. Adams is confirmed to be a part of the second season of a new crime show, and now the news has me wishing for his return in the Suits: LA spinoff. Even though the actor wont be returning to his infamous role, it will be wonderful to see Adams back in the court of law, regardless of which character he is playing this time. The part is entirely different from his beloved character, and it only makes me want to see Mike Ross' Suits return even more.

While there is a new Suits spinoff coming, one of the cast members of the original series just picked up a new TV role of his own. Patrick J. Adams, who starred as Mike Ross on the law-based TV show, has signed on to appear in the Fox anthology crime series Accused.

Here is what you need to know about Adams’s new role and what to expect from his appearance.

Suits Star Signs On For Accused

USA Network ended Suits in 2019. However, the show remains a beloved favorite thanks to its streaming on Netflix. Despite its popularity, it hasn’t meant big things for the cast. Gabriel Macht, who played Harvey Specter, hasn’t had a role in anything since the show ended.

Mike and Harvey in Suits | YouTube

Patrick J. Adams had a little more success. He got roles in Sneaky Pete and The Right Stuff before picking...

Husband and wife William H. Macy and Felicity Huffman are set to share the screen in the upcoming second season of Fox’s anthology crime drama Accused. Macy and Huffman join new cast member Nick Cannon and the returning Michael Chiklis. In Season 1, Chiklis starred in the first episode as neurosurgeon Scott Harmon, who was on trial for providing material assistance to a school shooter. It’s not yet known who Chiklis will be playing in Season 2. Based on Jimmy McGovern’s 2010 British series of the same name, Accused premiered on Fox on January 22, 2023. Each episode covers a different trial, where the audience meets the accused without knowing their crime or how they ended up on trial. The events that led to the trial are shown throughout the episode from the defendant’s perspective. In addition to Chiklis, Season 1 starred the likes of Jack Davenport, Stephanie Nogueras, Megan Boone, Malcolm-Jamal Warner,...

As part of its fall lineup announcement Monday, Fox revealed some of the players who will appear on the second season of Accused.

Michael Chiklis — who was featured in Accused‘s first episode when it premiered in January of 2023 — will return for the second season of the drama developed by Howard Gordon. The show’s set to air at 8 p.m. on Tuesdays this fall on Fox.

Joining the former Vic Mackey on the new season is Felicity Huffman, William H. Macy and Nick Cannon. It’s not clear, for now, what roles the actors will play in the anthology, which features different stories of crime and punishment told from the defendant’s point of view.

In his episode from season 1, Chiklis played a frightened dad who had to confront the realities of his troubled son’s behavior. The star of The Shield went on to direct “Jack’s Story,...

‘If you didn’t laugh, you’d cry’ isn’t just the correct British response to any exasperating situation, it must also be Tony Schumacher’s screenwriting mantra. His crime drama The Responder would be unwatchably bleak if it wasn’t also so bloody funny.

Series one put response officer Chris Carson (Martin Freeman) through the wringer so thoroughly that it was a wonder he survived. His childhood pal Carl, a small-time drug dealer who’d been paying him for police intel, didn’t, and in a characteristically heroic/risky attempt to help Carl’s widow, Chris gave her the rucksack of stolen cocaine that had kicked off all this mess. Now it’s six months later and guess what? Chris’ problems are far from over.

Series two of The Responder is just as buzzing with life and wry observation as the first. Chris’ night-time police patrols offer up a...

US BritBox recently debuted the second season of Jimmy McGovern‘s anthology prison drama Time, set in a women’s facility. The new story features three women facing punishment for various offenses with a focus on how the British prison system is set up to fail the women it is supposed to reform.

Viewers throughout three episodes follow the stories of Orla (Jodie Whittaker), a single mom who is suddenly thrown into prison for a minor offense, Abby (Tamara Lawrence) who is serving a life sentence for murder, and Kelsey (Bella Ramsey) who is charged with drug trafficking while facing addiction and pregnancy.

Den of Geek spoke to Jodie Whittaker about how Orla’s struggles differ wildly from the trials of a Time Lord and about the Doctor Who moment of which she feels proudest.

Whittaker looks back fondly on her era of Doctor Who, as her career moves away...

“Some of the nicest people you’ll ever meet are in prison,” promises Marie-Louise (Happy Valley’s wonderful Siobhan Finneran), the empathetic chaplain of a British women’s prison where first impressions give off a decidedly more dangerous vibe. Marie-Louise is the connecting element between the first two seasons of Time, creator Jimmy McGovern’s gripping behind-bars anthology. She appeared in the first season as a voice of calm at a men’s prison, with Sean Bean and Stephen Graham as stars, and explains: “Nine of out of 10 men won’t talk. Nine out of 10 women won’t shut up—so I thought I’d have a bit of that.” The second season is at its best when its female inmates open up, venting after grueling and grisly encounters that make Orange Is the New Black look like a trip to Disneyland. Just as impressively cast as the first, this...

Exclusive: Paramount+ has yanked a raft of international originals from its service along with several big-ticket acquired series.

Numerous English-language originals disappeared overnight last week, as the U.S. conglom’s strategy shift towards more Hollywood-style content and lower costs played out in real time. Other series that had been tipped for second seasons will not return.

Subscribers were left perplexed as shows vanished, and voiced bewilderment and frustration on X and elsewhere online. The removed shows have been taken off the streaming service in all territories.

Samantha Morton-starrer The Burning Girls and One Night, the Australia-set drama with Doctor Who star Jodie Whittaker, have disappeared from the streamer. Likewise, Eleventh Hour Films-produced The Killing Kind, based on the book of the same name, and thriller The Serial Killer’s Wife, have been pulled.

The Doll Factory, the adaptation of the bestselling novel from Marcella producer Buccaneer, has also come down.

Time has added two big names to its cast. Bella Ramsey (The Last of Us) and Jodie Whitaker (Doctor Who) will star in the second season of the BritBox prison drama. Tamara Lawrence and Siobhan Finneran also star in the new season.

The British series follows the lives of three female inmates as they serve their time in prison. One is a single mother serving her first sentence, another is a pregnant heroin addict and repeat offender, and the third is incarcerated for life.

An anthology series, Time was created by Jimmy McGovern and debuted on BBC One in 2021. The first season stars Sean Bean and Stephen Graham as a prisoner consumed with guilt and a prison guard.

Read More…...

Stephen Graham, one of the most acclaimed actors on U.K. TV and a regular in both major studio titles and smaller indie features, is set to receive the highest honor at this year’s British Independent Film Awards.

The Richard Harris Award, named after the late star, recognizes an outstanding contribution by an actor to British film and sees Graham join a list of fellow honorees that includes the likes off Judi Dench, Daniel Day-Lewis, Emma Thompson, Vanessa Redgrave and Riz Ahmed.

A six-time BAFTA TV nominee, Graham recently landed his first BAFTA film nomination for his lead turn in 2022’s hit, one-shot kitchen drama Boiling Point, which was also the first project from Graham’s own banner Matriarch Productions, set up with his wife and fellow actor Hannah Walters with the aim of providing opportunities for underrepresented talent. The film has since been spun off into a BBC miniseries,...

The executive producers of critically acclaimed BBC prison drama Time have launched their own scripted production operation.

River Pictures has been launched as the latest producer in the BBC Studios stable and will be led by Andrew Morrissey and Michael Parke. They were previously exec producers at the BBC’s commercial division and worked on both seasons of Jimmy McGovern’s BAFTA-winning Time, the latest season of which stars The Last of Us‘ Bella Ramsey, and all three seasons of RTÉ’s Irish drama Smother.

Scripted label River will have bases in London and Liverpool, taking inspiration from the Thames and Mersey rivers that run through those cities, respectively, in its naming. The company will look to showcase “strong regional voices” in its output when it opens its doors before the end of the year.

In 2024, Morrissey and Parke will be have two BBC Studios series coming to screen: RTÉ...

The U.K.’s Studio Crook has acquired the rights to develop “Damaged Goods,” the first of Helen Black’s “Lilly Valentine” legal book series, into a returning television drama series “Valentine” (6 x 60’).

“Valentine” will follow Lilly Valentine, an almost divorced single mother on the wrong side of 40 who excels at her job at a local Oldham law firm. She will go to any length to help her clients, at the expense of both her son and her nearly ex-husband.

Black, an ex-lawyer, became known for her popular crime novels based on her own experiences before turning to script writing including co-writing Season 2 of Jimmy McGovern’s prison drama “Time,” which is currently airing on BBC One.

Studio Crook won investment from Channel 4’s Indie Growth Fund earlier this year. The “Lilly Valentine” series was published by Harper Collins and sold in multiple languages around the world. The deal...

‘Bardot’ Series Sells After Netflix Launch

Bardot, the French series about the younger years of film star Brigitte Bardot, has sold into a raft of international territories soon after its recent launch on Netflix. The Danièle Thompson and Christopher Thompson series debuted on Netflix in several European territories on August 23, having taken strong ratings on France 2 back in May. Federation Studios, which produces and sells the show, has shopped to AMC Iberia in Spain, Tvp in Poland, Nova in Greece, Mtva in Hungary, Rtvs in Slovaquia, Ltv and Tet+ in Latvia, Err in Estonia and Finch Media, which distributes content in Eastern Europe. Netflix was among a tranche of buyers who had previous bought it, though no U.S. or UK buyer has emerged yet. Federation said negotiations were planned in further European and English-speaking territories. Bardot is set to get a U.S. festival debut at the American French...

Jodie Whittaker, Tamara Lawrance and Bella Ramsey don prison-issue tracksuits in the first image from their upcoming series “Time.”

“Doctor Who” star Whittaker, Lawrance (“The Silent Twins”) and Ramsey (“The Last of Us”) star as three inmates in a women’s prison in the U.K. in a follow-up to the Sean Bean series of the same name.

Jimmy McGovern returns to pen the second anthology-style season of the show with some actors from the series’ first outing – including Siobhan Finneran as prison chaplain Marie-Louise – reprising their roles. Helen Black co-writes while Andrea Harkin directs.

Also joining the cast are Sophie Willan (“Alma’s Not Normal”), Julie Graham (“Shetland”), Alicia Forde (“Waterloo Road”), Lisa Millett (“The A Word”), Kayla Meikle (“The Capture”), James Corrigan (“This Is Going to Hurt”), Nicholas Nunn (“Clique”) and Maimuna Memon (“Sherwood”).

Set in the fictional, high-security prison Carlingford, Kelsey (Ramsey), Orla (Whittaker) and Abi (Lawrance) arrive...

Bella Ramsey-starring BBC prison drama Time has added BritBox North America as co-producer and revealed more cast plus first-look image (above).

BritBox also co-produced Season 1 of the heartwrenching show, which starred Sean Bean and Stephen Graham and won two BAFTAs in 2022.

Joining The Last of Us star Ramsey, Tamara Lawrance and former Time Lord Jodie Whittaker are BAFTA-award winner Sophie Willan, Julie Graham (Shetland), Alicia Forde (Waterloo Road), Lisa Millett (The A Word), Faye McKeever (The Responder), Kayla Meikle (The Capture), James Corrigan (This Is Going to Hurt), Nicholas Nunn (Clique) and Maimuna Memon (Sherwood).

The three-parter, which is penned by Jimmy McGovern and Helen Black, will move to life inside a women’s prison called Carlingford, where Kelsey (Ramsey), Orla (Whittaker) and Abi (Lawrance) are thrown together to face an unfamiliar world. With the ever-present threat of violence within its walls, they discover that an unexpected sense of community,...

Ben Whishaw has won the coveted Leading Actor gong at the BAFTA TV Awards.

Whishaw beat off competition from Peaky Blinders star Cillian Murphy, Slow Horses’ Gary Oldman, The Responder’s Martin Freeman and Chaske Spencer, who led BBC/Amazon Prime Video’s The English.

Whishaw played Adam in This is Going to Hurt, Adam Kay’s British medical comedy-drama television miniseries for the BBC. The show focused on the lives of a group of junior doctors working in the NHS, exploring the emotional effects of working in a stressful work environment.

Last year’s winner was Sean Bean for his role in Jimmy McGovern’s BBC prison drama Time.

Whishaw thanked co-star Ambika Mod and said, “You’re my best actor” to the newcomer, who played Shruti in the show. Mod was controversially snubbed from the Best Actress list and the comment appeared to be a barbed reference to this.

For the past three months, Fox’s Accused anthology has unspooled weekly episodes that thrust all manner of characters into the defendant’s chair in a courtroom, to face a variety of charges and outcomes.

Accused wraps its freshman run this Tuesday at 9/8c with “Billy’s Story,” in which Keith Carradine and Laila Robins play the parents of a grown, drug-addicted son.

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Exclusive: Anonymous Content, Casarotto Ramsay & Associates and United Agents have set former Itvs Creative Director Patrick Spence (Spy Among Friends) as Managing Director of their UK film and TV production joint venture.

Sophie Gardiner, who has overseen the Jv since its initial launch, will transition into a first look deal with the company. She will continue to work on their current film and TV projects.

Formerly known as Chapter One Pictures, the outpost has now rebranded to AC Chapter One. Spence will continue to run the company’s day to day operations independent of the three founding companies.

Spence joins AC Chapter One from ITV Studios. We broke news of his exit from the UK broadcaster last month. In his time there, he executive-produced projects including BAFTA-nominated drama A Spy Among Friends, starring Damian Lewis, Guy Pearce and Anna Maxwell Martin, and Litvinenko, starring David Tennant.

Prior to ITV Studios,...

Time Season 2 is moving forward at the BBC.

The broadcaster confirmed Tuesday that the second season will take viewers inside a women's prison to tell a different story than its predecessor.

Bella Ramsey (The Last of Us) and Jodie Whittaker (Doctor Who) will headline the three-part upcoming season, which will begin filming in Liverpool soon.

Tamara Lawrance (The Silent Twins) is also joining the cast, while Siobhan Finneran (Happy Valley) will return as Marie-Louise, a prison chaplain.

Time comes from Jimmy McGovern and will feature Kelsey (Ramsey), who is thrown together with unfamiliar faces with Orla (Whittaker) and Abi (Lawrence).

"I'm very happy to be a part of this project, working with an incredible team and following on from a stellar first season," said Ramsey. 

"And it's such an honour to be Kelsey, I'm really excited to experience the world through her for a few months."

"Time was such an...

The Last of Us star Bella Ramsey and Doctor Who alum Jodie Whittaker are set to lead the second season of the BBC’s award-winning prison drama Time, which is scheduled to begin filming in Liverpool soon. Created by Jimmy McGovern (Broken), Time explores life behind bars, with the first season following the story of inmate Mark Cobden (Sean Bean) and prison guard Eric McNally (Stephen Graham). The three-part second season will change things up with a moving and high-stakes portrayal of life inside a women’s prison. Starring alongside Ramsey and Whittaker are Tamara Lawrance (The Silent Twins) and Siobhan Finneran (Happy Valley), who is reprising her role from Season 1 as Marie-Louise, a prison chaplain. The series follows Kelsey (Ramsey), Orla (Whittaker), and Abi (Lawrance) as they arrive at Carlingford Prison on the same day and are thrown together to face an unfamiliar world. Yet, even with the ever-present...

Jimmy McGovern’s British prison drama “Time” is returning for a second season featuring a new cast.

“The Last of Us” star Bella Ramsey, “Doctor Who’s” Jodie Whittaker and “The Silent Twins” star Tamara Lawrance are all joining the show.

The original show featured Sean Bean and Stephen Graham as a prisoner and prison officer respectively. It averaged 11.6 million viewers across a three-part run and won a 2022 BAFTA Television award for best mini-series.

The new season, which is comprised of three parts, will be set in a women’s prison. Siobhan Finneran (“Happy Valley”), who also featured in Season 1, reprises her role as prison chaplain Marie-Louise.

Ramsey plays Kelsey, who arrives at Carlingford Prison on the same day as Orla (Whittaker) and Abi (Lawrance). The trio must quickly adapt to the environs of their new world, which they will soon discover holds ever-present danger as well as an unexpected sense of community.

The Last of Us star Bella Ramsey has been cast in the second season of BBC prison drama Time alongside Jodie Whittaker, Tamara Lawrance and Siobhan Finneran.

Jimmy McGovern’s show, which featured Stephen Graham and Sean Bean as leads in its heart-wrenching first season, will move on to a women’s prison where Ramsey will play Kelsey, thrown together to face an unfamiliar world with Orla (Whittaker) and Abi (Lawrance).

Even with the ever-present threat of violence within its walls, they discover that an unexpected sense of community, and a shared understanding, still might be possible.

“I’m very happy to be a part of this project, working with an incredible team and following on from a stellar first season” said Ramsey. “And it’s such an honor to be Kelsey, I’m really excited to experience the world through her for a few months.” Deadline revealed Ramsey’s...

Exclusive: Screen greats Samuel L. Jackson and Vincent Cassel have been set to lead cast in action thriller Damaged, about a Chicago detective who goes to Scotland after an emerging serial killer’s crimes match those that he investigated five years earlier, one of which was the crime scene of his murdered girlfriend.

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Supporting cast includes Kate Dickie (The Witch), Gianni Capaldi (A Day to Die) and John Hannah (The Mummy) with direction from Terry McDonagh, whose credits include episodes of Killing Eve,...

Fox is beefing up its scripted series roster for the 2023-24 season.

The network has renewed first-year dramas Accused and Alert: Missing Persons Unit for second seasons. The two shows, which bowed in January, have found decent-sized audiences and get substantial viewing on streaming platforms.

Alert will also have a new showrunner in season two, with Carla Kettner (The Blacklist, Bones) taking over for co-creator John Eisendrath (who will remain an executive producer).

“Accused and Alert stand out as two of this season’s new broadcast and multi-platform success stories,” Fox Entertainment president Michael Thorn said in a statement. “Looking to 2023-24, we’ll continue to deliver on the powerful storytelling coming from both series, building on our incredible partnership with Sony and further solidifying Fox’s strong slate of dramas, giving our schedule tremendous season-to-season stability.”

Both series are co-productions between Sony Pictures Television and Fox Entertainment. Accused, based on a BBC series,...