Critically acclaimed ITV drama series Unforgotten starring Nicola Walker and Sanjeev Bhaskar returns to production later this month (June 2016).
The series will also star Jassa Ahluwalia (Peaky Blinders, Legends, Some Girls) who returns as Cassie’s son Adam, Bryony Hannah (Call the Midwife, Bing, Jupiter Ascending) and Will Brown (Call the Midwife, Doctor Who).
Joining the cast will be Mark Bonnar (Undercover, Shetland, Catastrophe) Rosie Cavaliero (Prey, Hunderby, The Enfield Haunting), Lorraine Ashbourne (Jericho, The Interceptor, New Tricks), Badria Timimi (EastEnders, DCI Banks, Killing Jesus) Charlie Condou (You, Me and the Apocalypse, Coronation Street, Casualty), Holly Aird (Page Eight, The Promise, Identity), Nigel Lindsay (You, Me and the Apocalypse, Foyle’s War, Poirot), Peter Egan (Downton Abbey, Grantchester, Doctor Who) and Wendy Craig (Death in Paradise, Doctors, Marple).
The second series will feature a brand new story from creator and writer Chris Lang who once again explores the fallout from the investigation into an historic murder case.
The story begins with the discovery of a body. This time the perfectly preserved remains of a middle aged man found in a sealed suitcase in the silt of the River Lea in northeast London. As Cassie and Sunny begin the complicated task of trying to identify the victim, we will meet four unconnected people who we suspect are linked in some way to the victim.
The dead man turns out to be David Walker who disappeared in 1990 and left behind a wife, who has since remarried, and her son who is now in his early 30s. Their story will run across six episodes and will draw upon very current themes and jeopardy.
As the investigation progresses, we're introduced to Brighton based lawyer Colin Osborne, paediatric nurse Marion Kelly, school teacher Sara Hamoud and DI Tessa Nixon, the victim's wife, a respected police officer months away from retirement.
The complex and emotional plot takes us across the country to the Cotswolds, East London, Salisbury and the South Downs. It is directed once again by Andy Wilson (Ripper Street, Endeavour, Poirot), produced by Tim Bradley (Death in Paradise, Primeval) who was also responsible for the first series of Unforgotten and executive produced by Sally Haynes (HIM, Unforgotten, Bleak House), Laura Mackie (HIM, Unforgotten, Cutting It) on behalf of Mainstreet Pictures. Creator and writer Chris Lang is also an Executive Producer.
The drama will continue to explore some of the themes of the first series, but the primary theme will be our society's relationship with evil. When exactly does a good person start becoming defined by society as a bad person, and at what point in their life does a damaged child stop being exempted for their crimes allowing us to simply label them evil.
"We were delighted at the response to Unforgotten and it's fantastic to be bringing back Cassie and Sunny to investigate a different historical murder,” said Sally Haynes on behalf of producers Mainstreet Pictures. “As with the first series Chris has written a complex, emotional and surprising story that challenges our heroes as they uncover long hidden secrets in the lives of the suspects".
Unforgotten writer, creator and Executive Producer Chris Lang said: “I am so excited to be making a second season of Unforgotten. Once again we have managed to assemble a jaw dropping cast, alongside a hugely talented production team, and I cannot wait to see the stories I have created, start to come to life on screen.”
ITV's Controller of Drama Victoria Fea has commissioned the new series and will oversee production for the broadcaster.
The series will be distributed internationally by BBC Worldwide.
Unforgotten has performed well internationally, rating high on channels and out performing slot averages around the world. The first series sold into 126 territories, and we look forward to offering international audiences more of this thrilling drama,” added Liam Keelan, Director of Scripted at BBC Worldwide.