ITV has released an exciting behind-the-scenes first look at Unforgotten season seven, which sees the return of Sanjeev Bhaskar (DI Sunny Khan) and Sinéad Keenan (DCI Jess James), alongside new cast members Sophie Rundle (After the Flood, Peaky Blinders), Andrew Tiernan (Joan, Happy Valley) and Joshua Sher (Lynley, Vera).
Created by award-winning screenwriter Chris Lang, Unforgotten follows a team of detectives as they investigate "complex and emotionally charged" cold cases. Filming for the new season of the hit crime drama was revealed in a behind-the-scenes photo of Sanjeev and Sinéad at the table read.
© ITVThe sixth series drew an impressive 9.2 million viewers, averaging 8.5 million across its run, and became ITV's biggest returning drama of 2025.
Intrigued? Keep reading for everything you need to know about Unforgotten season seven.
What happens in Unforgotten season 7?
The new season begins in typically dark fashion when a "chilling" discovery of human remains is made in the crawl space of a house in Ladbroke Grove, London.
The synopsis continues: "Early forensic analysis suggests the body is that of a child and has been deliberately concealed for several years. The investigation takes a deeply personal turn for the team when a DNA match links the victim to a previously closed historic case, compelling DI Sunny Khan and DCI Jess James to 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 whose present-day lives conceal dark secrets, including a troubled social worker, Mary Brock (Sophie Rundle), a respected inmate, Lacee Cook (Kirsty J Curtis), a struggling addict, Hugh Swafham (Julian Rhind-Tutt), and a tenacious journalist, Ruby Allenford (Natalie Simpson)."
© ITVWho are the new stars in Unforgotten season 7?
With a new season comes a host of fresh faces, including Sophie Rundle (After the Flood, Gentleman Jack, Peaky Blinders), Julian Rhind-Tutt (Kill Jackie, The Reckoning), Jo Hartley (Adolescence, Passenger) and Paul Kaye (The Hack, Game of Thrones). They are joined by Nicholas Burns (The Serpent Queen, Black Mirror), Natalie Simpson (Trigger Point, Outlander), Kirsty J Curtis (Joan, Harlots) and Andrew Tiernan (Joan, Happy Valley).
© MATT SQUIREBen Bailey Smith (The 6th Commandment, Black Mirror), Dominic Coleman (Bridgerton, The Jetty), David Fynn (Daddy Issues, Lazarus) and India Brown (Honey Bunch, Invasion) also feature. Other names include Sonya Nisa (Waterloo Road, Damsel), Joshua Sher (Lynley, Vera), Rachel Atkins (The Hack, Grantchester), Roger Dipper (Malice, Sherwood), Cameron Jack (River City, The Wheel of Time) and Mark Jax (Jack Ryan, Merlin).
Rounding out the new cast are Joe McNamara (Call the Midwife), Yazdan Qafouri (I Came By), Paula Wilcox (Coronation Street, Trying) and Philip Martin Brown (Darkest Hour, Waterloo Road).
Who is the returning cast of Unforgotten season 7?
It wouldn't be Unforgotten without Sanjeev Bhaskar and Sinéad Keenan, and the pair are again joined by their police team, including Jordan Long as DS Murray Boulting, Carolina Main as DS Fran Lingley and Pippa Nixon as DC Kaz Willets.
Other returning members include Georgia Mackenzie as Pathologist Dr Leanne Balcombe, Andrew Lancel (I Fought the Law, and The Thief, His Wife and The Canoe) as Jess's ex-husband, Steve, and Kate Robbins (The Couple Next Door, Afterlife) as her mother, Kate.
© ITVWhat have the creatives said about Unforgotten season 7?
Huw Kennair Jones, ITV's Drama Commissioner, 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."
© ITVMeanwhile, Executive Producers for Mainstreet Pictures 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."
5 more chilling crime dramas to add to your list if you like Unforgotten…
1/5
© Sky UKUnder Salt Marsh – Sky and NOW
Yellowstone star Kelly Reilly plays former detective Jackie Ellis, now working as a teacher, who discovers the body of her eight-year-old pupil washed up on the shore.
With the fictional Welsh town of Morfa Halen shaken by the news, this case resurfaces an unsolved mystery from three years ago. The past case involves the disappearance of Jackie's niece, which ultimately cost the former detective her career and her family's trust. With a once-in-a-generation storm on the horizon, Jackie enlists the help of her former partner, Detective Eric Bull (Rafe Spall), to lead the chilling investigation. The question remains: will they finally succeed in solving the murder?
Sky's Under Salt Marsh is a six-part crime drama perfect for viewers who enjoy eerie landscapes. The series premieres on 30 January on Sky Atlantic.
2/5
© BBCThe Night Manager – BBC iPlayer
It may have been ten years since the first series, but Tom Hiddleston returned as Jonathan Pine for the anticipated premiere of series two of The Night Manager on 1 January 2026.
For those who have never watched season one, Jonathan is a former British soldier working as the night manager of a luxury five-star hotel in Cairo. His life changes when he is recruited by intelligence officer Angela Burr (Olivia Colman) to infiltrate the inner circle of a ruthless arms dealer called Richard Roper.
To avenge the death of his lover, Jonathan goes into full spy mode by adopting a new identity while keeping his mission a secret from his hotel colleagues.
3/5
© Simon Ridgway/NetflixAgatha Christie's Seven Dials Mystery – Netflix
Set at a lavish country party in 1920s London, the Agatha Christie adaptation mystery begins when the gathering ultimately ends in murder.
A young aristocrat called Lady Eileen (Mia McKenna-Bruce) sets out to solve the case. Lady Caterham (Helena Bonham Carter) and Superintendent Battle (Martin Freeman) are on hand to help with the whodunnit.
With only three episodes, the series is very bingeable and less of a scary crime drama and more of a cosy watch.
4/5
© Ben Blackall/NetflixRun Away – Netflix
In this twisty Harlan Coben crime thriller, investment banker Simon’s seemingly perfect life is thrown into disarray when his drug-addicted daughter, Paige, runs away.
Drawn into a dark underworld of secrets, his search for his daughter uncovers family revelations that confront some shocking truths. The stellar cast includes James Nesbitt, Minnie Driver and Alfred Enoch. All eight episodes are available to stream now.
5/5
© CREDIT LINE:BBC/BBC Studios/Treasure Entertainment/River Pictures/Martin MaguireBlackshore – BBC iPlayer
This Irish crime series follows DS Fia Lucey (Lisa Dwan), who returns to her hometown in the west of Ireland after being suspended from her role in Dublin. While policing a small town, Lucey finds herself at the centre of a major investigation involving a missing woman.
The case is further complicated as it links back to Lucey's traumatic past. The full series is currently available on BBC iPlayer to watch...
