Unforgotten (2015– ) User Reviews (285)

Touching and honest

[gmorgan51-158-682165 · 9/10 · 30 October 2015]

I am really blown away by this series. The writing is excellent, and, as a lover of mysteries, the plot is riveting. Each episode builds on the previous episode. The chronology of events and the characters make sense. Notwithstanding dramatic license, the people seem real, with strengths and weaknesses we can all recognize and relate to. The acting is phenomenal.

Also, I was not aware that issues of race were as prevalent in England as I have recently learned. As an African-American, I always considered Europe to be, historically, much more tolerant of racial differences than in the US. Apparently, that was, and is, not the case.

Finally, I can appreciate the sensitivity and thoroughness with which the police, led by the character played by Nicola Walker, are conducting the investigation into Jimmy's death. The scenes and dialogs with his mother are not only touching, but ring so true of how a parent who has lost a child would feel and react and live. I have first-hand experience of that unspeakable state. Thank you, Chis Lang.

This is really very well watching. It's captivating

[jonnithomas · 9/10 · 3 November 2015]

yes, it's a murder and a 'whodunit' but it is so much more than that.

the characters are well directed and acted and feel totally believable. the detective work builds as the story unfolds and leaves you wanting to know what happens next.

it's not like any wam bam cop story from the US which may not be to everyone's taste. it's just far more realistic and solid with each character 3d. there's some humour and some sadness and lots of realism. the characters are real people, they don't have ridiculous hair, teeth and smiles or know things in a semi mystical way. they work it out and have hangovers and sometimes cry. You know, like real life.

I thoroughly recommend that you watch this.

Nicola Walker is a gift

[FIoret · 9/10 · 21 August 2018]

Excellent series but it wouldnt be the same without Nicola Walker. Her compassion and sympathy isnt just seen its felt. Each season gets better and better.

Simple and Thrilling!!

[pramodsmenon · 10/10 · 1 November 2015]

May be British shows are for a specific type of audience. I cant figure how they pick any genre and just transform it into a beautiful story with emotions and personalities. The focus for most shows is on how people think and do what they do. I have to say Unforgotten hits the right mark. Starting with the pilot, they showed a hint of each character - Simple and normal people you would meet everyday and end it by making them all people of interest in a 40 year old case. And how the show has developed since then with marvelous twists and turns, powerful performances and a real and beautiful London in the backdrop. I have reached only till the fourth episode as of now, and I have to say it is easily one of the best crime dramas I've ever seen.

Brilliant

[heibeinh · 10/10 · 27 April 2018]

This is an absolutely brilliant series with superb acting! We are fans of British crime shows & are ecstatic that there will be a season 3. I have been a Nicola Walker fan since MI5, and to see how she has perfected her craft is quite amazing. Bravo!

The epitome of British crime dramas; not a wasted episode

[golo348 · 10/10 · 9 February 2017]

I've become hooked on British crime drama ever since a fortuitous viewing of "Foyle's War" (still one of my all-time favourites). Seeing the first episode of "Unforgotten" (Series 1) was enough to whet my appetite for more so I was thrilled to see what they would do with another season and another plot line that slowly and methodically (but not pedantically) plays out across all six episodes. What comes across in both series is that your past can pop up at the most inopportune moments. Play it for dramatic effect and you will understand why "Unforgotten" is such a powerful and mesmerizing crime drama series. Above all, it's the humanity of the characters that draws you in and keeps you interested in what will happen to them when the past rears its ugly head--sometimes with disastrous consequences!

Nicola Walker rocks!

[thegulls1 · 9/10 · 2 May 2018]

We enjoyed Ms. Walker in Spooks (Mi5) and River. She seems ageless. In some of her roles, she look like your aunt, while sometimes being very pretty (I mean that in a good way). In this entry, she leads a homicide team checking out, in the first two seasons, 2 separate cold cases. We get to know Nicola's character, and most others quite well (a Hallmark of Brit cinema).

As well as good conflict & character development, the show benefits from crisp pacing (6 episodes of 45 mins instead of 8x65). If you are a binge watcher (thank you Netflix and BritBox), you can sample a season in 2 days without booking off work! We found Season 2's storyline superior to the first one. There is a whodunit element to the series, but, as I wrap up Season 2, I can honestly say the writers have played it close to the vest. Enjoy!

Footnote: Both seasons involve cases involving 'deviant' sexual behaviour, which is not shown, but discussed, as related to the crimes being investigated. Hence, proceed at own risk.

Nice and easy does it......

[ianlouisiana · 10/10 · 15 October 2015]

There are two ways the first episode of a new cop show can go. Bull at a gate - like the excellent "No Offence" or nice and easy. "Unforgotten" goes the second route.Introducing the characters,apparently disparate but clearly in some way connected.Then providing the catalyst - in this case the body of a young man murdered over thirty five years ago that sparks the action. The excellent Miss N.Walker is the CID officer who decides to investigate this cold case and her team quickly discovers the identity of the victim thanks to a car key found with the body. This is for a hand - made sports model which they eventually track down to a scrap yard.The car looks suspiciously like an MGB roadster to me but I guess you could hardly expect the BBC to custom build one just to scrap it. The police find a diary in the car and the story is off and running at just the right stage - the end of the first episode. Interestingly we know more about the suspects' personal lives that we do about the detective's.She is living with that nice Mr P Egan;and that's about it so far. Contrastingly we know Mr T.Courtenay is wheelchair - bound with a wife suffering from Dementia and Mr T Eve is a menacing figure(what else?) with a dodgy past. There is a nice middle - aged couple whose son tragically died that are so lovely they must be guilty of something by the first rule of TV cop shows. All these people are about to have their lives blown apart as the redoubtable Miss Walker investigates. I shall look forward to seeing what she finds out about them and what we find out about her.

Storytelling doesnt get much better than this

[innperu · 10/10 · 30 March 2021]

This series is incredible and its a must see Writing and acting are a pleasure to watch and listen to.

Superb and wonderful and very thought provoking .

Television at its best and why do the British make such good programs across the board.

Flawless

[laurakelly591 · 5 September 2018]

Hands down the best British crime drama I've ever seen.

It grew on me - and then it didn't

[per-181 · 6/10 · 15 March 2023]

I came across this series on Britbox purely by chance. I usually don't watch stuff with Nicola Walker, since she always gives off very depressed vibes. Don't get me wrong, she's an excellent actress - and Unforgiven actually suited her.

To begin with, I found it excruciatingly slow and confusing, with several parallel and seemingly unconnected storylines. 3 star material.

But soon it started to make sense, not least by showing huge respect to the victims. It also demonstrated that good detective work is about the tiny details and not giving up, describing the procedure seriously and solemnly. Really captivating, and very well executed! Closing in on 9 stars.

Jump to series 5, and the admiration is gone. Now we are left with a very annoying new boss - and even Sunny has changed his personality to being almost as rude and impatient as she is. Throw in a big dollop of Tory-bashing and feeling sorry for the poor muggers and junkies and thieves every ten minutes or so, and there is not much left of the once impressive quality.

In short, Series 1-4 is 9 stars, series 5 is 2. Lets say 6 on average. Skip Series 5 and you will be very pleased.

Truly a UK Crime Drama at its best

[nancyldraper · 10/10 · 7 April 2021]

(Review at the end of Season/Series 3) Nicola Walker is a brilliant actor! So it is not surprising that this is an exceptional series. Don't expect a fast paced, shoot 'em up, action car chase police drama. If that is your favourite fare, you probably won't like this drama. But if you like a well crafted story that reels you in until you are sitting at the edge of your seat, with multi-faceted performances from an excellent cast, portraying believable characters living out the consequences of their own choices, you will love this series. At the end of Series 3, I elevated my rating from a 9 (superb) to a 10 (brilliant) out of 10 and it now is on my Top 40 TV Series list. The finale of this past season felt like a series finale, but the writer (Creator/Executive Producer - Chris Lang) of the show has since teased out that, should the audience wish, there may be a 4th. Already garnering critical success and BAFTA attention, I think the audience is not ready for DCI Cassie Stuart/Nicola Walker or DS Sunil' Khan/Sanjeev Bhaskar to retire. {Police Procedural}

(Review after the end of Season/Series 4). Fantastic, if heartbreaking, finale.. Chris Lang, did you have to be so brutal. Straight 10s for the whole series. Truly a jewel in the crown of UK Crime Dramas.

Excellent writing and character development

[lhollan · 7/10 · 25 August 2022]

If you are attracted to shows that draw you to characters, this is excellent. The writers weave complex plots that one can pull together emotionally and that culminate in a meaningful way. I would have given this series a higher star score, but Nicola Walker becomes a burden to watch. She grows to be an unpleasant person whose life seems to be consistently under a dark cloud--and I think the actor brings far too much angst to the character. Aside from that strain, the series is well worth it, at least through series three.

I'm so so so sorry

[canterburybella-680 · 4/10 · 13 March 2023]

How many times did I have to hear this in series 5, 2023? I'm so so sorry I had to sit through this soap opera with a corrupt ending, that had no justice, and blames the crime on someone who didn't do it. This is ridiculous. The ending got overly convoluted and seemed to be advocating for framing someone for committing murder because they committed another misdeed 40 years earlier. For me the whole point of the series has been about seeking truth for the unforgotten body they find.

This series was like one man treated a women badly years ago and therefore it's okay to frame him for murder in current day and leave it at that. What the hell is going on with British TV?

On another note, what happened to Sunny's wife and 2 daughters? Last we heard the couple may get back together. But there wasn't one glimpse or mention of his daughters.

Different cop series

[SunnyDaise · 8/10 · 30 March 2021]

Because of personal experiences, I usually avoid brutal/graphic shows and movies, but Unforgotten handles these issues better than most so I always watch. Exploring just one case per season works well. It's such a multi-faceted show, covering a much wider range of topics and isn't stereotypical, so comes across more realistically to me. If you want something similar but real-life, watch The Pembrokeshire Murders.

Outstanding

[hjvbfx · 9/10 · 29 March 2021]

Outstanding crime drama which has held my interest across all four series. Nicola Walker, Sanjeev Bhaskar and all the regular cast have created believable characters and the guest actors in each series have maintained the high standard of acting. If you're looking for a crime series to watch I recommend this one. It's up there with Line of Duty and The Bridge - all different but all equally well acted with interesting storylines. Don't miss it!

Slow burning drama. Excellent.

[nezbitkn2 · 8/10 · 30 March 2021]

Wow. What a few years I've enjoyed watching this series. I guess after the last episode we won't be seeing Unforgotten again. Very sad ending and had me choke up a little. Did feel a tad rushed but still had the desired effect on fans of the show. Shame it has to end. Will miss it. Meh.

A very different murder mystery

[Tweekums · 9/10 · 13 November 2015]

When a body is discovered in the basement of a building that is being demolished the police are called in. Investigators DCI Cassie Stuart and DS Sunil 'Sunny' Khan are initially unsure if the case is worth investigating as they have no idea how old the body is and no obvious way of identifying it. The only clue is a rusting car key… amazingly this leads to the car which leads to the identity of the victim and a book containing a list of names. The body belonged to a young black man who went missing in the seventies and the names belong to a variety of people; all of whose lives are about to be thrown into turmoil along with the lives of those around them.

These include an Anglican priest who'd had a relationship with a fifteen year old girl, a woman who is now married to a black man but was a member of a racist group in the seventies, a man about to be given a peerage who was an enforcer for a London gang and a disabled man whose wife is suffering from dementia. Over the course of the series the police find possible motives for each of the person on the list and as they investigate dark secrets emerge; even those who are innocent of this crime have other long-held secrets which emerge; some of them will find redemption but some lives will be destroyed forever.

Murder mysteries are one of the staples of television; even ones involving cold cases are hardly new but 'Unforgotten' manages to bring something new to the genre. While there is the question of who killed the body in the basement that isn't the only thing of interest… in fact the other secrets that emerge are just as interesting. Given that the original crime took place in the seventies it isn't surprising that much of the main cast in is quite a bit older than one finds in most programmes. The cast does a great job; Nicola Walker and Sanjeev Bhaskar impress as the two leading police officers, it was refreshing to have cops who just get on with the job rather than having their own personal issues. Those playing the suspects and their families were fine too; most notably Trevor Eve, as the ex-gangster and Tom Courtenay and Gemma Jones who played the disabled man and his senile wife although it seems unfair to only pick out a few as the cast was uniformly good. Overall I'd certainly recommend this to anybody who enjoys murder mysteries but wants something a little different.

World Class British drama, US take notes.

[Manunited1981 · 10/10 · 30 March 2021]

So let me tell you something. I have been watching Crime dramas for well over 20 years now and this show is up there with the very very best, like top 3. I first saw Nicola Walker in a little ITV production in 1999 called " last Train" and there and then I said we would be watching this fine actress for years to come and has been in some of the most loved dramas of the last 20 years(last tango in Halifax, Scott and Bailey, spooks, the split, River, collateral) not to mention a brilliant turn to win an Olivier award in 2013 for The curious incident of the dog in the night-time.

Now less Nicola Walker(2 time BAFTA nominee, overdue surely?) and more of this great show. It's simple, it's magnetic it's star turns the brilliant Sanjeev Bhaskar(a shoe in for a BAFTA) the star ensemble season after season and the exceptional writing of Chris Lang which bounds together a clever mix of twists and puzzling endings has you aching for it not to end. I'll look forward to Season 5 with Sunny and the rest of the team come 2022.

Very well done and thrilling as well!

[h-christen · 9/10 · 12 January 2016]

IF YOU DO NOT LIKE SPOILERS, FIRST WATCH AND THEN READ THIS...

This review is triggered by the reaction of Patherton, the anti political correct person. To begin with, I find this an amazing series, very well played by the actors. The series, in my opinion, lets see how the influence of the past throws the shadow over the present, even for old people... It's a story of a so called cold case team. I wondered how it is in England, I am from Netherlands, at some time, 18 years, the crime is "verjaard" here. I think it is called "limitation" in UK. So no persecution is possible. So I was surprised to see arrests... But that is not the point, all people somehow involved in the victim's life see their present life disrupted, they have tried to put their involvement to the back of their minds, but that never had success, and now the police come to rattle it up... Its also about change, can you really change from skinhead to tolerant? Are you really different from the person yo were 40 years ago? The main question from the detective is also crucial, "should I do it or shouldn't I?" Its 40 years ago, let it go, no!, "I want to solve the case and punish the perpetrator". Heartbreaking is the confrontation between detective and mother of the victim.

Now the racists aspects. It is a well known fact that in the 70ties gay bashing was not unknown and hatred against "coloured" people also existed. So not a strange move to keep that possibility open in the investigation. In fact there are a lot of references at racism, the boy who gets angry at his protector, who means well, the victim being "chocolate", the husband who protects his wife even after he knows the facts of her former life... So, Patherton, why on earth should one go counting who is white and who is black in a series? And who is bad and who is not? That says something about you, doesn't it?

According to Patherton: 1/ Detective is female, what a political correct fact! 2/ Assistant is Indian, another one! So we have now a female detective with an Indian assistant and they go along very well, well, that's enlightening... 3/ All the bad men were white! What a joke, It just happened to be so. If you ever watch American series, all black kids are in gangs and all are involved with weapons and drugs. No, not this series. 4/ A woman who marries a black man and helps a black kid with his chemistry exam, is also political correct? Maybe she really regretted the phase of her former life, being member of National front? And whats wrong with political correct? What is political correct anyway? Had the series been better if there was a black murderer? If so obviously Patherton has no idea about the intentions of the series...

So, go see this, its a very good series that make you think... Very clever and emotional filmmaking.

At the moment I am watching season 2 and that is as good as season one. In the beginning we see stories of people of which we ask ourselves, who are they? and what is this? As the series goes on we see all the stories are entangled with the story of the victim. Fascinating stuff! Again, solving a murder that happened a long time ago, does involve different kind of people. And again some aspects of today's society are mentioned. Like the woman with the headscarf who likes to be the school headmaster, or 2 men who live together and like to be father of an adopted girl... The son of the victim, who struggled his whole life with the disappearance of his father...

This is a great series!

Progressively PC

[Warin_West-El · 6/10 · 28 April 2023]

I watched every season. Year by year, what started out as a crime investigation series morphed into a moralizing PC extravaganza.

With each new series, the character DCI Cassie Stuart became increasingly morose and angry. Whereas, until season five, DI Sunil 'Sunny' Khan remained calm and centered.

During season four, Unforgotten transformed into a straight-out soap opera, leading up to the death of DCI Cassie Stewart (cue the violins). Interestingly enough, the new character of DCI Jess James played by Sinéad Keenan could have worked to propel the series forward into several more seasons.

But what killed Unforgotten was the excessive moralizing that took place during season 5. IOW: not only was there an exchange of characters, there suddenly was a heavy emphasis on soap opera scenarios. The archetypal secret mother/daughter/son reveal that soap operas are famous for. Season 5 was the first time I had to fast-forward through laborious dialogue scenes.

Add to that the over-the-top stereotypical characterization of all white males being evil and you had a level of PC moralizing that viewers were unwilling to endure.

Which is such a shame because with more creative (less stereotypical) plots focused on crime solving, the new duo of DCI Jess James and DI Sunny Khan might have lasted for years.

Review after series 4: a down to earth, exceptionaly well written police show about more realistic investigation proceedings than most other cop shows. Its focus is on realism

[mickman91-1 · 8/10 · 14 December 2021]

Review after series 4: I struggle with a lot of cop shows because they are so full of stereotypes and predictable components and overdone storylines. What makes Unforgotten the wheat separate from the chaff then? It is in the writing. The show's USP is that it doesn't aim for dramatic action (eg Luther / Bodyguard), nor emotional poignancy (eg The Missing), nor the sex lives of the coppers (eg The Fall). Its focus is on the realistic process of crime solving and the thought processes that coppers go through in order to solve crimes and also to evidence them to the prosecution service. So the writing has to be watertight, and it manages to achieve this. Every element of the case logically moves forward based on clues and theories that the viewer has been privy to, and as a viewer you can follow it all believably and enjoy this process with the coppers at a realistic pace and with realistic stumbling blocks, wrong turns, luck, and outcomes. So this is really clever and really appreciated.

However, this could be the case but the production not be that great, but actually the production, characterisation, and acting are all great too. It is really enjoyable to watch. It is slower and more intellectual than most other cop shows but certainly not dragging nor dull because of it. Though we find out very little about the coppers lives until later series, they are realistic coppers acted well with a really pleasant working relationship that makes you get behind them and enjoy spending time with them.

Finally, the other really impressive thing which allowed me to watch it all without rolling my eyes, is that the writers also clearly tried their very best to stay away from predictable tropes and predictable storylines. And I don't mean that you just didn't see who the murderer was etc, I mean the investigations have unique outcomes that are not all tied off nicely with a bow as many shows are, but that are realistic and double edged, as I imagine real cop work is, because much of life is.

The only thing that I was disappointed in was the end of series 4. It didn't have precedence in the storyline and came out of nowhere and was clearly motivated by the actors career choices outside of the show. Hopefully series 5 will continue the exceptional quality. The only reason it doesn't get 10 is because 10/10 is reserved for my very favourite things that have infinite rewatch value and emotional impact.

Like wringing out an emotional towel!

[syoris · 6/10 · 4 July 2021]

Very good acting but if you love every other scene an emotional one, if you love your hardened detectives getting all emotional at almost every briefing, if you love cases being solved and evidence being discovered by sheer blind luck, then this is the show for you.

Ain't No Sunshine When She's Gone (Season 5)

[mcshane365 · 5/10 · 17 March 2023]

I'm sure like me you had a dream that Nichola Walker's character Cassie had faked her own death to get a death in service payout, flew to Argentina, had facial plastic surgery, and came back, applied for her old job & slotted straight back in for one more shot at that pension. Only Sunny would be in on it & the last season would be another cracker. Humph. Foiled again.

Sadly Sunny is not sunny any more. Gurning & groaning & moaning about his new horrible boss who is at home/work/on her phone gurning & groaning & moaning about her cratering home life, while the staff soldier on hiding under their desks from the 'boss lady' & hating every minute of it.

Meanwhile there appears to have been a murder & the boss isn't really interested. I mean why would you be interested if you're the senior officer of a murder squad right?

There are various characters strewn about with their own depressing stories running which are slowly tying together but so transparent it's no fun at all being an armchair detective.

When Cassie was around she & Sunny had a good friendship which helped to elevate the otherwise sad story lines. But she's gone & Sunny has turned into a real prat in the only other personal relationship he's got going for him.

I'm half way thru the 5th season & bored witless waiting for someone to get with it but in my head I'm just sitting like Sunny at Cassie's gravestone mourning the passing out of the series of the ever fabulous Nichola Walker.

Seen on BBC & Netflix for years and ignored... How I wasted part of my life

[EversonMovies · 10/10 · 6 April 2021]

My title seems over dramatic, but actually it is spot on. I have always seen the poster artwork on ITV and Netflix , watched the trailer a few times but never gave it ago ( i partly put this down to British TV not being the best at creating trailers). But my god this is up there (season 1 anyway) as probably the best boxset I have seen. If you are fan of the likes britishy type of dramas of, Doctor Foster, The bodyguard, Thirteen, Luther , The nest, Liar, Happy valley.. Then this is up your alley.ot is unreal. Just watch it and you can thank me later 😁

EDIT: So we have just watched season 2 & 3 in the space of 4 days...that's right it's that good. Honestly watch this hidden gem which I still don't understand why it is, but sometimes people just don't know an amazing thing.