Compelling three-part drama, Unforgiven, which stars Suranne Jones has gone into production in West Yorkshire.

Written and created by Sally Wainwright and produced by Red Production Company, Unforgiven is the story of Ruth Slater (Suranne Jones), a woman released from prison on license after serving 15 years for the murder of two policemen.

Having spent half of her life imprisoned, Ruth now faces the daunting prospect of rebuilding her life whilst being irresistibly drawn to the place that haunts her, Upper Hanging Stones Farm. As she tries to focus on the future and her new boyfriend Brad (Will Mellor), she is unable to forget her past and the sister, Katie, she was forced to leave behind.

Outraged to hear that the woman who killed their father has been released, Kieran (Jack Deam) and Steve Whelan (Matthew McNulty) are eager to seek revenge. Believing that life should mean life, the two brothers decide to take the law into their own hands. But just how far are they capable of going? Can they really do to her what she did to their father?

As the details about Ruth’s past become known, maintaining a job, friendship and a relationship become increasingly arduous. Ruth soon realises that the ramifications of her release spread further than she could have imagined, with far reaching implications for everyone involved.

Unforgiven also stars Peter Davison and Siobhan Finneran as John and Izzie Ingrams, occupants of Upper Hanging Stones Farm; Nichola Burley as Steve’s wife Hannah, and Douglas Hodge and Jemma Redgrave as Michael and Rachel Belcombe, the adoptive parents of Lucy and Emily played by Emily Beecham and Flora Spencer-Longhurst.

Unforgiven is a Red Production Company production, for ITV1 produced by Karen Lewis (The Chatterley Affair, Dad) and directed by David Evans (The Children, Mysterious Creatures).

Unforgiven is backed by Screen Yorkshire through its Production Fund, which aims to support the development of a long term and sustainable screen industry in Yorkshire and Humber.

Director of Red Production Company and executive producer Nicola Shindler says: “Sally has created a powerful and emotional drama which follows a group of seemingly unconnected individuals exploring the links that bind them together. It is exactly the kind of drama Red enjoys making – powerful, provocative and contemporary writing.”

Writer, creator and executive producer Sally Wainwright comments: “I loved writing Unforgiven. The idea came to me over night, and it took on its own momentum very quickly. It’s quite a dark piece for me, but not without its lighter, warmer moments. I am delighted with the cast.”

Sally Haynes, Controller of Drama Commissioning for ITV added: “We are thrilled to have such a powerful, character-driven thriller from Sally Wainwright and are delighted to be working with Red Production Company on Unforgiven.”