'Unforgotten' has been renewed for a fifth series.
Sanjeev Bhaskar
ITV have commissioned another season of the cold case crime drama following the finale of series four which aired on Monday night (29.03.21) which saw one of the programme's main characters killed off.
Viewers saw Nicola Walker’s character DCI Cassie Stuart die after being involved in a car accident which left her hospitalised with no brain activity. Regular DI Sunny Khan - portrayed by Sanjeev Bhaskar - will be back for the next series.
In a statement confirming the return of 'Unforgotten', a spokesperson for the broadcaster said: "ITV would like to thank Nicola Walker for playing the brilliant role of Cassie Stuart in four series of 'Unforgotten' which has become one of the best loved and most critically acclaimed police dramas on TV.
"Nicola and writer Chris Lang decided that Cassie's story would come to an end last night, but that 'Unforgotten' would continue, in series five, with a new case, and a new 'partner in crime' for DI Sunny Khan.
"This fourth series has had a record-breaking season posting its highest viewing figures. For episodes 1-5 the series has averaged 7.5 million viewers based on seven day consolidated data, which is up by 1.6m viewers and 26 per cent on the last series."
'Unforgotten' writer Chris Lang took to Twitter to praise Nicola's contribution to the show and also share his excitement about the future for Sanjeev's alter ego DI Khan.
He posted: "It has been an uncomplicated joy making 4 seasons of #Unforgotten with #NicolaWalker. 'We can be sad that we've lost someone we adored & who we will miss every day, but we also be grateful for the time we did have together'.
"Thanks for all the love during and after last night’s series 4 finale. Delighted to announce that #Unforgotten will return, with the very brilliant
@TVSanjeev , and a new partner in crime, next year. #Unforgotten5"