Since it first arrived on our screens 11 years ago, Unforgotten has upped its game with each new series, entertaining audiences across the UK (and beyond!) with its impossibly twisty cold cases. Now, ITV's best detective drama is returning for a seventh brilliant instalment - and mark our words: it'll be the show's most unforgettable series yet.
If you’re not familiar with the story, Unforgotten initially centred around DCI Cassie Stuart (Nicola Walker) and DI Sunny Khan (Sanjeev Bhaskar) as they investigated murky cold cases concerning murdered, missing people. Nicola was later replaced by actress Sinéad Keenan as DCI Jessica James in 2023 – but, we're pleased to report, the series remained just as good. And now? Series 7 is bringing us some brand-new cast additions to get acquainted with.
Ahead of Unforgotten series 7's arrival on our screens, here’s everything you need to know about it, including the plot, new cast and when we're expecting it to air.
What is Unforgotten about?
The detective drama first aired on ITV on 2015 and followed DCI Cassie Stuart (Nicola Walker) and DI Sunny Khan (Sanjeev Bhaskar) as they reopened cold murder and missing people cases. In 2023, Sinéad Keenan replaced Nicola as DI Khan’s new partner, DCI Jessica James, and has remained in the role ever since.
Each of the six series to date concentrates on a new cold case, with our detective duo previously investigating crimes including the murder of a 17-year-old, whose body was found during the demolition of a north London house decades after he was reported missing, and the killing of a Conservative Party consultant in 1990.
What will happen in Unforgotten series 7?
Series 7 will open with the chilling discovery of human remains in the crawl space of a house in Ladbroke Grove, London. Early forensic analysis suggests it's the body of a child, which has been deliberately concealed for several years. When a DNA match links the victim to a previously closed historic case, DI Sunny Khan and DCI Jess James must revisit the original inquiry and unravel the truth behind a decades-old crime.
The investigation into the young victim's life leads the team to a new cast of characters who are concealing some pretty dark secrets, including troubled social worker, Mary Brock (Sophie Rundle), respected inmate, Lacee Cook (Kirsty J Curtis), struggling addict, Hugh Swafham (Julian Rhind-Tutt), and tenacious journalist, Ruby Allenford (Natalie Simpson).
Fans will be pleased to hear that Jess and Sunny’s loyal police team also reassemble, featuring Jordan Long as DS Murray Boulting, Carolina Main as DS Fran Lingley, and Pippa Nixon as DC Kaz Willets. Georgia Mackenzie also returns as Pathologist Dr Leanne Balcombe, along with Andrew Lancel as Jess’s ex-husband, Steve, and Kate Robbins as her mother, Kate.
ITV’s Drama Commissioner, Huw Kennair Jones, says of the new series: "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."
Who’s in the cast of Unforgotten series 7?
ITV has confirmed that Sanjeev Bhaksar will return as Detective Sunny Khan, as will Sinéad Keenan as Detective Jessica James. The rest of the cast includes:
- Sophie Rundle
- Julian Rhind-Tutt
- Jo Hartley
- Paul Kaye
- Nicholas Burns
- Natalie Simpson
- Kirsty J Curtis
- Andrew Tiernan
- Ben Bailey Smith
- Dominic Coleman
- David Fynn
- India Brown
- Sonya Nisa
- Joshua Sher
- Rachel Atkins
- Roger Dipper
- Cameron Jack
- Mark Jax
- Joe McNamara
- Yazdan Qafouri
- Paula Wilcox
- Philip Martin Brown
Is Unforgotten any good?
In a word – yes! Not only has Unforgotten aired for more than a decade (which speaks for itself), it’s also received widespread acclaim. Among the prestigious awards it’s been nominated for are BAFTA for Best Drama Series in 2022 and the British Screenwriters’ Award for Best Crime Writing on Television in 2017. In short, Unforgotten delivers everything you’d want from a detective drama – think enigmatic killers and wild investigations, plus some cracking dry humour.
How can I watch Unforgotten series 7?
While ITV hasn't yet shared a release date for series 7, we're expecting it to arrive on ITV1 and ITVX in early 2027. As soon as we have a confirmed date, we'll share it here. In the meantime, you can catch up with Unforgotten series 1-6 now on ITVX.