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The Unforgiven

The BBC Radio 4 Prequel to Waking the Dead

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About this listen

A gripping five-part crime thriller set 15 years before Waking the Dead.

Set in 1984 – a world without DNA, CCTV, mobiles, or the internet – The Unforgiven reveals how the iconic Waking the Dead team got together, before they became an official cold case unit.

Trouble erupts as a serial killer launches a huge legal appeal against his conviction, claiming police corruption and pointing the finger directly at young DC Peter Boyd – and implicating forensic scientist, Frankie Wharton. With Boyd forced to disappear, criminal profiler Grace Foley and cops Spencer Jordan and Mel Silver join Frankie to clear their names and save Boyd from disgrace and possible prison. Told over five days, with each character taking turns to tell their story, this heart-stopping case sees them racing to beat the clock as the unthinkable unfolds.

Written by Barbara Machin, who created Waking the Dead for BBC1, this electrifying drama stars the original cast of the Emmy-winning hit TV series – Sue Johnston, Holly Aird, Claire Goose and Wil Johnson.

©2019 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2019 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd Crime Thrillers Mystery Police Procedurals Thriller & Suspense Heartfelt
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Sterling performances of an excellent story by a familiar cast, this dramatisation has the perfect blend of psycho serial killer horror mingled with the back stories of the team up against him. Thoroughly enjoyed and would recommend.

Great prequel to Waking the Dead

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I was really impressed how this worked as radio drama rather than TV. Great cast.

Excellent adaptation

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I ended up binging all 5 episodes together, it was so wonderful to be back in a world with Grace, Frankie, Mel, Spence and Boyd. It really worked so well as a audio drama too. Would love some more trips back to Waking The Dead now.

Wonderful to revisit an old favourite

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This production is amazing and I couldn't wait to finish it!! The best thing about it is the tension it builds throughout, right until the very end.

brilliant

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gripping, excellent writing, superbly acted with plot twists and turns. listened again to catch the clues and detail missed first time around

a great listen, superbly constructed

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