A deep dive into flawed humanity

03 August 2025, The Tablet

Bobby Schofield, left, as the submissive, self-loathing Joe.

TV writer Jimmy McGovern is always less interested in dramatic form and polish than in getting messy with flawed protagonists and real moral dilemmas.

In his latest television drama, Jimmy McGovern once again dives deep into characters and situations which most playwrights would baulk at. Unforgivable is about Liverpudlian Joe Mitchell, imprisoned for sexually abusing his 12-year-old nephew, Tom – and about the fractured family that his actions have left behind.

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