Critically acclaimed ITV drama Unforgotten returns for a third series this week, after filming in Bristol earlier this year.
The highly anticipated new six-part series made by Mainstreet Pictures, which begins on Sunday night, sees BAFTA nominees Nicola Walker (Last Tango In Halifax) and Sanjeev Bhaskar (Goodness Gracious Me) reprise their roles as DCI Cassie Stuart and DI Sunil ‘Sunny’ Khan as they investigate another emotionally charged cold case.
The new series is set across the south of England, in Bristol and other locations including Norfolk, West Sussex, Hampshire and London.
Cast also includes Alex Jennings (A Very English Scandal, The Crown), Kevin McNally (Pirates Of The Caribbean, Designated Survivor), Neil Morrissey (Line Of Duty, The Good Karma Hospital) and James Fleet (Indian Summers, The Vicar Of Dibley) who play a closeknit group of old school friends that have stood by one another through thick and thin. However, when the body of a teenage girl who went missing at the turn of the millennium is found at a building site off the M1 motorway, the four men are placed under the spotlight and their relationships are tested to the limit.
The Bristol leg of the shoot took place in April at Ashton Court and Clifton locations including the Suspension Bridge. Bristol Film Office assisted with arranging recces, access and permissions for drone filming at three points.
We travel all around England for Unforgotten and find most places incredibly accommodating and helpful. Bristol was no exception. Everyone we liaised with went out of their way to help our crew and guide us to make our experience seamlessly pleasant. The cast and crew had a fantastic time filming in Bristol and we wouldn’t hesitate to go back there.
Line Producer, Ani Kevork
We were very pleased to assist Unforgotten, one of the most successful crime dramas of recent years, with its Bristol shoot. Productions set in multiple locations around the UK may only be in the city for a short period of actual filming, but the logistical planning we carry out beforehand is critical in ensuring the schedule runs smoothly. We’re processing more and more drone filming requests, especially in scenic areas like Ashton Court, and this is proving really beneficial for Bristol’s filming economy.
Natalie Moore, Bristol Film Office
Bristol scenes centre on the character of artist Chris Lowe, played by James Fleet (pictured). Describing his character, James says: “Chris is one of the four friends and main suspects in the murder case which this series centres around. He did very well at university and was initially very successful; he started his own advertising company, had a big house and was happily married with a daughter. However, he soon suffered from mental health problems, specifically with bipolar disorder and so his career took a nosedive, he went off the rails and ended up losing everything and becoming homeless. Now he lives in a campervan and wears awful clothes.”
Hailed the “best detective drama of the decade” by the Daily Telegraph and “crime drama of the highest class” by The Guardian, the first two series proved hugely successful with viewers and critics alike, with the last series receiving an average consolidated viewing figure of over 6million with a 21% share.
The series has been commissioned by ITV’s Head Of Drama, Polly Hill, with Mainstreet Pictures’ Sally Haynes (Bleak House) and Laura Mackie (State Of Play) as Executive Producers, along with creator Chris Lang. Andy Wilson (Endeavour) returns to direct, whilst Guy de Glanville (Age Before Beauty) is producing the series. The series will be distributed internationally by BBC Worldwide.
The new series of Unforgotten begins on ITV on Sunday 15th July at 9pm. Series 1 and 2 are available to watch on ITV Hub.