New BBC Two drama Unforgivable is gritty, often uncomfortable viewing, with relatable fully-fleshed characters at its heart – which is everything we expect from Jimmy McGovern dramas.

The Liverpool-born writer, 75, is best known for his hard-hitting TV series that pack an emotional punch… And his latest offering is certainly no exception.

The creator of The Lakes is not afraid to tackle the tough subjects. This time, his new fictional drama Unforgivable explores the impact of grooming and sexual abuse on one family – the devastated Mitchells. They are dealing with the aftermath of an act of abuse perpetrated by a member of their own family.

If you love Jimmy McGovern dramas as much as we do, here’s a rundown of his top shows.

Jimmy McGovern dramas: Brookside 1982 – 1988

Some people might not know that screenwriter Jimmy cut his teeth on soaps. And not just any soaps – two of the best. He wrote more than 60 episodes of Brookside between 1982 until 1988.

He tackled many social issues in the course of the Liverpool-based series, especially unemployment – which was at a post-war high at the time. Some classic Brookside episodes are still available to watch on Channel4.com.

Jimmy went on to write one episode of Coronation Street on ITV1 in 1990, but promptly went on to create and write his own hard-hitting dramas.

Jimmy McGovern dramas: Cracker 1993 – 2006

Who could forget Robbie Coltrane as criminal psychologist Dr Edward ‘Fitz’ Fitzgerald? The ultimate maverick, he was the tough, hard-talking cop who got results. In fact, the long-running series oaved the way for the likes of Luther, Happy Valley, and Dept. Q.

Despite being anti-social and borderline obnoxious, he provided invaluable insight as a consultant for the Manchester Police.

The chain-smoking character appeared in three series, and remains one of TV’s most beloved crime solvers. The good news is you can still watch series 1 to 3 on ITVX, as well as two feature-length specials.

Hillsborough 1996

Jimmy McGovern also wrote the script for the television docu-drama Hillsborough. It’s an emotive subject very close to his heart.

The feature-length drama was based on the real-life events of the stadium disaster in 1989. The catastrophe claimed the lives of 96 Liverpool fans at an FA Cup semi-final.

Former Brookside actor Ricky Tomlinson and Christopher Eccleston both starred. In 2013, Christopher said it was the most important work he’d ever done.

The TV movie was said to be a factor in a new inquiry set up in 1997. Like Mr Bates vs The Post Office, it proved that TV series evoking public sympathy can have a huge effect.

Jimmy McGovern dramas: The Lakes 1997 – 1999

Jimmy created the classic series The Lakes in 1997. It remains cult viewing, and everyone (of a certain age) remembers the impact it had in the late 90s.

The Lakes was a hugely successful series which launched the careers of John Simm, Kaye Wragg and Elizabeth Bennett. Charles Dale and Kevin Doyle also appeared in the series, which followed the residents of a small town in the Lake District.

John Simm starred as Liverpudlian Danny Kavanagh – a gambler and womaniser – who arrived in the Lake District to find work. He starts work at a hotel and falls in love with a local girl named Emma.

Yet Danny remains an outsider in the close-knit community, and ultimately finds himself involved in a tragedy. The village is hit hard when three schoolgirls are found drowned.

The series went on to get a second series, but many viewers wanted more. And still do – nearly 30 years later!

Jimmy McGovern dramas: The Street 2006 to 2009

A series of one-off, standalone dramas, each episode of The Street focused on a different house within the same street.

Again created and written by Jimmy McGovern, the plot dealt with subject matters close to the bone. These included marital affairs, suicide, violence, drugs, asylum seekers, death, and prostitution.

The three series had a huge ensemble cast, which included Timothy Spall, Lee Ingleby, Jim Broadbent, Jane Horrocks. Joanne Froggatt, and Sue Johnston. And actors don’t come much better than that.

Anna Friel, Neil Dudgeon, Mark Benton, Vincent Regan, Jonas Armstrong, Melanie Hill and Shaun Dooley also appeared.

Jimmy McGovern dramas: Accused 2010 – 2012

The unparalleled Jimmy McGovern created this series of individual episodes, all linked to a crime. Each episode revolved around a different character as they made their way to the dock to hear whether they’d been found guilty of a crime.

Like The Street, Accused starred an insanely talented cast of actors including Mackenzie Crook, Christopher Eccleston, Juliet Stevenson, and Marc Warren.

Olivia Colman, Anna Maxwell Martin, Peter Capaldi, and Anne-Marie Duff also starred. Quite frankly, if we listed all of the fantastic cast, we’d be here all day.

Sean Bean and Stephen Graham, who later reunited in the prison drama Time, appeared together in Tracie’s Story in 2012. Sean once again played an English teacher. But this time, his transvestite alter-ego was involved in a love triangle that led to a terrible crime of passion.

Other standalone episodes included Mo’s Story, in which a single mother refused to close her hairdressing salon to ‘respect’ a recently deceased gang member. The gang leader, Martin Cormack (Joe Dempsie), threatened repercussions, leading to the teenage son of her best friend being shot dead in broad daylight.

Moving On 2010 – 2021

This series of daytime plays all shared the same theme, much like The Street, and The Accused. However, Moving On focused on people going through some kind of change in their life.

The series last aired in 2021, and consists of 12 seasons (all of which are available to watch on ITVX).

Anyone who is anyone has appeared in one of these moving dramas. The cast has included Robert James-Collier, Mark Womack, Nico Mirallegro, Dervla Kirwen, Lesley Sharp and Julie Hesmondhalgh.

The last season saw actor Les Dennis portray Joe, whose world turned upside down after receiving an unusual birthday present.

In another episode, Vera actress Natasha Cottriall played Hollie, whose world came crashing down when she lost her father. She then discovered he had a secret life.

Jimmy McGovern dramas: Broken 2017

Jimmy favourite Sean Bean starred in this six-part drama written and created by the Scouse mastermind.

Sean, who recently starred in This City is Ours, portrayed Father Michael, a Catholic priest presiding over a Northern urban parish.

Far from the archetypal image of a priest, Michael was a maverick, whose modern ways raised eyebrows with some. However, he was reassuringly flawed.

Despite suffering from his own troubles stemming from a traumatic childhood, Michael tried to guide several of his most vulnerable parishioners through the trials and tribulations of everyday life.

Bean won a BAFTA for Best Actor, while Anna Friel was nominated for Best Supporting Actress. The six-part series is still currently available to watch on ITVX.

Jimmy McGovern dramas: Time 2021 – 2023

The first series of three-part prison drama Time aired on BBC One in 2021. And, like all of Jimmy McGovern’s dramas, it caused a hug impact on the viewing public.

It reunited acting heavyweights Sean Bean and Stephen Graham from Jimmy McGovern’s 2012 Accused.

Sean starred as teacher Mark, who was overwhelmed by guilt after accidentally killing a man while dangerous driving. He was subsequently sentenced to four years in jail, where he was violently introduced to prison life.

Mark’s weakness was soon spotted by a dangerous inmate (James Nelson-Joyce) who began to make his life hell.

Stephen Graham starred as prison warden Eric McNally, who had plenty of problems of his own… His own son was also in jail and apparently in grave danger.

Series 2 of Time came in 2023. This time, set in a female prison. The action focused on three women who arrive at Carlingford prison on the same day. Whilst single mother Orla fought to keep her children out of care, young heroin addict Kelsey was presented with a life-defining decision…

Bella Ramsey, Jodie Whittaker, and Julie Graham starred in yet another brilliant ensemble cast.

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