Dark Heart, Series 1
by Chris Lang, dir. Colin Teague (ITV, 2018)
Three two-part murder investigations, watchable enough in the moment but over-reliant on the lead character—Tom Riley’s somewhat ineffectual DI Wagstaffe. Anjli Mohindra is underused as DC Chancellor. A second series might have been justified, but only for Charlotte Riley (Wagstaffe’s sister).
Unforgotten, Series 6
by Chris Lang (ITV, 2025)
Bleak watching but a well-scripted inversion of the usual plot markers. Lang characterises a handful of damaged suspects orbiting the void of a thoroughly unlikeable deceased/victim. Their evasiveness presents less as concealed criminality than abuse suffered and barely survived. Catharsis is hard-won.
Unforgotten, Series 5
by Chris Lang (ITV, 2023)
If anything, Series 5 is even grimmer than its predecessors. Lang continues to eschew not only happy endings but also the possibility of redemption without facing up to past sins. Even Sinéad Keenan’s introduction as DCI James is a study in trauma.
Unforgotten, Series 3
by Chris Lang (ITV, 2018)
This third cold-case investigation explores the dire life consequences of holding on to secrets, and the emotional trauma (for victims and officers alike) and closure that comes from digging up the past. Lang’s script is again measured, containing a minimum of contrivances.
Unforgotten, Series 2
by Chris Lang (ITV, 2017)
Another moody but naturalistic cold-case investigation, focussed as much on crimes of abuse and the lasting damage they cause as on the solving of a murder. The allocation of police resources seems a tad far-fetched, but even this is addressed. Excellent characterisation.
Unforgotten, Series 1
by Chris Lang (ITV, 2015)
A crime drama based more on genuine human interactions than manufactured confrontation. The cold case premise allows for plot entanglements that aren’t too far-fetched, while the police detectives—Nicola Walker’s character in particular—are scripted and portrayed as real people at work.