User reviews

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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!

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.

(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.

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

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.

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.

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.

The first time I tried watching Unforgotten I thought it was a little boring but then I gave it another try and ended up binging all 5 seasons. Nicola Walker is an absolute treasure as DCI Cassie Stuart who is determined to find justice for cold case victims.

Each season pretty much plays out the same way, they find the remains of someone who has been dead for several years and they identify them. As the investigation proceeds we get glimpses of four or five people who could've possibly killed the victim. All five seasons have this exact same premise which sounds like it wouldn't work but it actually does.

I had absolutely no clue what was going to happen at the end of S4 and I cried my eyes out.

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!

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.

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.

I have watched all episodes (to date) and though I'm not a fan of Walker, the script kept me engaged, well written, no plot holes and fully developed characters.

I love the scientific aspect in the detail offered in analyzing corpses, finding stray bullets and blood stains and the whole detailed process of the forensics in coming up with solutions to the mysteries of old corpses and graves. The lives and connections of these ded people giving up their secrets in painstaking ways.

The team of detectives is fully rounded with their back stories and personal histories and challenges.

The slow unwinding of the salient facts is never drawn out or filler sused, it all makes sense in the end with the odd shocker thrown in to keep the viewers off balance.

Sanjeev Bhaskar is particularly brilliant in his role, his calmness and doggedness exquisitely portrayed and Sinéad Keenan (to me) is a huge improvement over Nicole Walker. I love how their slow acceptance of each other is so beautifully portrayed. Tears here.

Not to be missed by fans of this genre. It's up there with the best.

10/10.