User reviews

Suranne Jones shows what she can do in this TV drama. A little predictable in plotting but Suranne's performance is excellent. You are always involved in her character and she makes Ruth believable. To go from a soap like Corrie (which must have been a marvellous learning situation for a young actor) to proper drama like Unforgiven is a leap which many do not manage. Suranne chose fairly wisely, with the exception of Harley Street, and was always watchable and credible. The supporting cast are pretty good too, some playing against their usual type. The three part series is one that appeals to me if one cannot watch it in its entirety.Itv seem to do this format well and in these more austere times they are still championing good intelligent drama when the mood takes them. The BBC still do period stuff better but credit where credit is due.

First of all, never pass up an opportunity to watch a series from the pen of Sally Wainwright. Secondly, be similarly alert to watch performances by Suranne Jones. Now, add a stellar cast of the likes of Peter Davison, Gemma Redgrave and Siobhan Finneran and you've struck gold. This has a story with heart and depth with performances by the best. I give this series a 9 (superb) out of 10. {Crime Drama}

This is definitely one for the record books!!!! If I hadn't watched it with my own 2, blue, Irish eyes, I would've never believed it. Finally, a really great show (telly show, mini-series, or movie), from the beginning right through to the very end. Of course with a line-up like they had, it's no wonder why it came out so amazingly, awesome!!!!!! At the end, I had to keep rewinding it, just to see if I was actually witnessing this video streaming miracle!!!!! Well Done!!!!! X

Absolutely outstanding drama mine series. Best piece of TV I have seen for quite a long time. Really shows what can be done as long as the story is good enough and the actors are up for the job - there are several incredibly good performances here. Suranne Jones is fantastic in the lead role and Matthew McNulty also really stands out - but generally everyone puts in top drawer performances. The last episode has a bit more action in it than the first two but it continues to build on the story and doesn't let anything else get in the way. The ending is very, very touching as well and it is a brilliant way to conclude the series. Overall 10 out of 10 and a huge thumbs up to British ITV.

An amazing miniseries from the pen of Sally Wainwright, this three part story tells the story of Ruth Slater, a young woman released from prison after fifteen years for murdering two Policemen.

I thought this was fantastic, an excellent first episode, it only gets better from there on in.

Suranne Jones is so good in the role, it becomes easy to empathise with Ruth, and that's down to the superb acting of Jones.

It's dark, it's macabre, it's sad, it's revealing, it's absolutely brilliant.

Jones apart, the acting is first class, Peter Davison really does shine here, but then when doesn't he.

I love the locations used to, it's very visual, the house used is to die for.

Awesome, 10/10.

What a wonderful, moving piece of drama. A very practical subject about the difficulty of offenders when they leave prison. Suranne Jones (brilliant performance) leaves prison and wants to find her little sister who she has not heard from in 15 years since she went inside. The story shows all the problems for many people from all different points of view. Heartbreaking in a way but so rewarding. Drama as good as it gets. My first 10/10 review !

It is April 2020 and I am hiding from Covid 19 in a flat full of unwatched dvds. I finally sat down to watch this and did not expect it it be a great drama. I give no plot spoilers but it is very well acted and well written. The locations are great (Yorkshire).

Sally Wainwright correctly gets a lot of praise but perhaps this 3 part drama is not the most well known of her works?

excellent casting in this revenge crime ex prison ( yep multi genre ) drama. Suranne Jones wonderful as ever, simple loving and maligned young woman just released from prison for double police murder. Peter Davidson Plays sympathetic legal eagle willing to help her find her sister, after fifteen years apart. Plenty of back ground story from family of the victims and a twist in the tale to boot. Awfully tense in parts, touching in others, Suranne plays vulnerable yet with seemingly hard exterior. A thirty year old who has had little experience in an adult world since she had been locked up since she was a minor. We see in the character how she is still very child like and delicate despite spending fifteen years in prison and the reasons behind the madness that caused the actions that put her there in the first place... Interesting story I give it a seven out of ten. Suranne is always very watchable...

This miniseries is not that bad but, in my opinion, a movie with sandra bulock is a little bit better.

Maybe that is because a movie is fastest and has a better end. But, miniseries is watchable too.

Written by Sally Wainwright, starring Suranne Jones, a quality support cast, this is as good as English tv gets. Set, of course, in Halifax, this is tight tense drama. Jones is simply a brilliant actress. Wainwright is a genius at moral dilemma. Three episodes was perfect, I'm not sure I could have managed the suspense for much longer 😁.

I cannot believe that this did not turn into a series. The ending was abrupt. The cast was incredible. I would have loved to have seen more episodes.

This is one of the best tv dramas I have ever seen. Suranne Jones is one of the best actresses I've ever seen. I recommend this highly. it is muich more than a typical cop type show. it goes deep without getting lost. highest recommendation.

This is an excellent drama about a young woman, Ruth Slater, who is released from prison after serving a 15 year sentence for a double murder. However, she is far from the hardened criminal many falsely assume. Suranne James gives a first class performance as the wounded soul who possessed an enormous heart despite her treatment by the justice system. Her first mission was to find her sister who she loved beyond measure. In her quest, she was helped by lawyer Peter Davison. Siobhan Finnerty, as his high strung spouse, had far less sympathy but came over to the Ruth's side once she learned her story. Ruth was fighting an uphill battle to win acceptance, even while still using her own name. As a result, her record became known to the community. She was also very naive and far too honest about her past. This lack of awareness about how to navigate her way back also made me sympathetic to her character. It was easy to stay with this series with all its twists and turns. Thanks to Britbox for bringing ITV (and BBC) shows to Canada.

Absolutely outstanding! So much so it leaves you wanting more.

Kudos to Sally Wainwright, to Suranne Jones, and to Britbox for bringing this series to the US. It's only three episodes, but it's all meat and no filler as we get to know the characters. Suranne and cast are in top form, the dialogue is on point, and the story is compelling. I've never seen the Sandra Bullock remake, but it would have to go a ways to top the original. Worth a watch!

Next to Anne Lister in Gentleman Jack, the role of Ruth Slater in UNFORGIVEN is Suranne Jones' most brilliant, emotionally honest and affecting performance of her career. Exceptional character creation and storylines by Sally Wainwright do not disappoint. A triangle of 3 sisters drives the core drama which unfolds over 3 episodes. In counterpoint is the story of two brothers left fatherless by a tragic event that remains a secret for fifteen years. The repercussions of violence and how its aftermath spreads through the lives of the principal characters is presented with great skill by Wainwright. Suranne's performance is not to be missed!

The duo that is the lead Suranne & writer Sally never fails to impress the audience with such new stories of complex human relationships. This mini series was brilliant and far better than its netflix adaptation.

What more do you need? Two of UK's finest at work in this series. A gifted writer and equally gifted actor....totally worth watching. So much so that Netflix did a remake....with Bullock.

I have just watched (belatedly) Unforgiven (2009) written by Sally Wainwright. And sadly I must say I was very disappointed. Perhaps it is because I watched the Hollywood adaptation (the Unforgettable 2009) starring Sandra Bullock first.

The first thing which really put me off was the thick Yorkshire accent, some of which I am sure were fake, because not all the cast are from that region I am pretty sure of. I do not mean to disrespect the people of Yorkshire. I for one lived in Cheshire and Derbyshire for 24 years, so I consider myself an adopted Northerner.

Suranne Jones' portrayal of Ruth fell extremely short compared to Bullock's. The former seemed very cold and emotionless throughout whereas Bullock looked like a pained and tortured soul, even though there was some coldness in her.

Maybe I should have watched this mini series first before I watched the Hollywood adaptation, and I might have thought differently then. But as it is, unfortunately I prefer the Hollywood movie adaptation. But Wainwright should be commended for both versions, since she also had a major say in the Hollywood adaptation.

I can't believe all these good reviews. No one is saying that you will get to the 3rd episode (Do not believe this is a three part series!) and it ends right there?! No closure, no answers and you feel cheated. I love the actresses in this and it was a good plot although a few holes here and there but I would have really liked to see where it was going, I hate that Amazon does this and I feel it should be SAID that it will end abruptly, no more families and their lives you've been immersing yourself in just a quick rug pulled out from under you. Very frustrating and disappointing. Please stop putting up these shows with no closure.