UNFORGIVEN
This 3 x 60 minute drama for ITV, written and created by Sally Wainwright and supported by Screen Yorkshire's Production Fund, is the story of Ruth Slater (Suranne Jones), a woman released from prison on license after serving 15 years for the murder of two policemen. Filming took place in Halifax and Huddersfield in 2008.
Having spent half of her life imprisoned, Ruth now faces the daunting prospect of rebuilding her life whilst being irresistibly drawn to the place that haunts her, Upper Hanging Stones Farm. As she tries to focus on the future and her new boyfriend Brad (Will Mellor), she is unable to forget her past and the sister, Katie, she was forced to leave behind.
Unforgiven was filmed in the beautiful and dramatic hills of West Yorkshire, using the powerful landscape as another leading character and resulting in a stunningly visual as well as emotionally engaging drama. Filming on the seven-week shoot got underway in August 2008, and the drama aired on ITV1 in January 2009.
Producer Karen Lewis commented on her experiences on the set of Unforgiven:
"This is the first time I've worked in the North of England, and I just love this unfailingly committed and talented crew, who march back up the sodden field after five hours of sterling work, every one of them smiling - and bang on time for lunch, too."
Unforgiven dominated the 9pm slot when it premiered on ITV1, pulling in an impressive 7.2million viewers and wowing the critics. Here's what a few of them had to say:
- Brian Viner, The Independent
"Suranne Jones, a bit panto in Corrie and ludicrous donning a posh accent in Harley Street, produced a grimly naturalistic performance as Ruth that would bring credit to a Ken Loach movie and contrasted with some of the rest of the deliberately comfy acting. Unforgiven is risky and original."
- Andrew Billen, The Times
An unsettling drama with all the impact of a big-screen flick.
- Matt Baylis, Daily Express
Unforgiven is a Red Production Company production, for ITV1 produced by Karen Lewis (The Chatterley Affair, Dad) and directed by David Evans (The Children, Mysterious Creatures).
Unforgiven was backed by Screen Yorkshire through its Production Fund, which aims to support the development of a long term and sustainable screen industry in Yorkshire and Humber.
Find out more about Unforgiven on the ITV website.
Find out about more film and television productions filmed in the region: www.screenyorkshire.co.uk/made-in-yorkshire/
