Anna Friel stars in Jimmy McGovern's new 90-minute drama Unforgivable, playing Anna Mitchell, a mother whose brother sexually assaulted her preteen son. The actor describes the role as a 'rollercoaster of emotions' requiring suppressed anger and raw authenticity.
Friel notes that the drama's sparse aesthetic and natural lighting demand a focus on integrity over appearance. 'There is such pressure, particularly on women: should you, shouldn't you look old?' she says, emphasising the importance of honesty in storytelling.
The actor, who began her career on Brookside at 16, praises young co-stars Austin Haynes and Finn McParland for their remarkable focus. 'They're really blowing my socks off,' she says, reflecting on the intensity of portraying such heavy emotions.
Friel also discusses ageism in the industry, noting that roles for mothers and grandmothers have become more nuanced in the streaming era. 'I think I probably wouldn't be working if I'd reached this age in the 1980s,' she remarks, adding that life experience enhances performance.
At a Liverpool screening, the drama was met with silence before applause, a testament to its challenging subject matter. Unforgivable does not offer easy answers, presenting a morally complex portrait of abuse and its aftermath.
