‘Unforgotten’ is officially back in production, with ITV confirming filming has begun on the critically acclaimed crime drama’s seventh series. The long-running cold case hit continues its impressive run as one of ITV’s most successful dramas, following a huge performance for its previous outing.
Created and written by Chris Lang, the new series once again sees Sanjeev Bhaskar (Yesterday, The Kumars at No. 42) return as DI Sunny Khan alongside Sinéad Keenan (Little Boy Blue, Showtrial) as DCI Jess James, as the pair tackle another emotionally charged historic case.
The sixth series launched to an audience of 9.2 million viewers and averaged 8.5 million across its run, making it the biggest returning drama of 2025 across all channels and streaming platforms. Across six series, ‘Unforgotten’ has now reached 28 million viewers and been streamed 121 million times, ranking as the third most-streamed drama in ITVX history.
For series seven, the drama opens with the chilling discovery of human remains concealed in the crawl space of a house in Ladbroke Grove, London. Early forensic evidence suggests the remains belong to a child, deliberately hidden for years. The investigation takes a deeply personal turn when DNA links the victim to a previously closed case, forcing Jess and Sunny to reopen an inquiry that reaches back decades.
Joining the core cast this time are Sophie Rundle (After the Flood, Gentleman Jack, Peaky Blinders) as troubled social worker Mary Brock, Julian Rhind-Tutt (The Reckoning, Britannia) as struggling addict Hugh Swafham, Kirsty J Curtis (Joan, Harlots) as inmate Lacee Cook, and Natalie Simpson (Trigger Point, Outlander) as journalist Ruby Allenford. The wider ensemble also includes Jo Hartley, Paul Kaye, Nicholas Burns, Ben Bailey Smith, Andrew Tiernan, Paula Wilcox, and Philip Martin Brown, among many others.
Jess and Sunny’s familiar police team also returns, with Jordan Long back as DS Murray Boulting, Carolina Main as DS Fran Lingley, and Pippa Nixon as DC Kaz Willets. Georgia Mackenzie reprises her role as pathologist Dr Leanne Balcombe, while Andrew Lancel returns as Jess’s ex-husband Steve and Kate Robbins as her mother, Kate.
All episodes are once again directed by Andy Wilson, who has helmed every series of the drama so far. Filming will take place across a range of UK locations including London, Great Yarmouth, Coventry, Halifax, and Reading Prison. The series is produced by Mainstreet Pictures for ITV and co-produced with MASTERPIECE, with PBS MASTERPIECE handling the US broadcast.
ITV Drama Commissioner Huw Kennair Jones said:
“It’s always beyond exciting to return to the brilliant world of ‘Unforgotten’ and this series promises to be no different. Once again Chris Lang has created a compelling set of characters interwoven in an intriguing and enticing story, one that will keep Jess and Sunny and the audience guessing until the very end. We’re thrilled that once again, Andy Wilson is directing every episode and with the brilliant team at Mainstreet Pictures producing, it’s going to be another fantastic series.”
Executive producers Sally Haynes and Guy de Glanville added:
“It is a true honour and privilege to be making another series of Unforgotten for ITV. We are so excited to be bringing another powerful and deeply emotional story, written by the exceptional Chris Lang, to the screen, directed by the brilliant Andy Wilson, and brought to life by our stellar cast, led by Sinéad Keenan and Sanjeev Bhaskar. The commission of a seventh series reflects the continued success of the series and the enduring loyalty of its audience, made possible by the incredible support of Polly Hill and Huw Kennair Jones at ITV, and Susanne Simpson at Masterpiece.”
‘Unforgotten’ Season 7 does not yet have a premiere date but will air on ITV and ITVX in the UK. If I want to keep track of this or any other shows, I can add them via our Never Miss system, and I’ll be notified when it gets a UK premiere date. Visit Never Miss.
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