Filming Locations of Unforgotten: A Journey Through the UK

With the start of its fourth season, Unforgotten has firmly embedded itself in the nation’s affections. This police drama, focusing on cold cases, weaves a complex narrative akin to a jigsaw puzzle, connecting seemingly unlinked individuals to a past crime. At its core lies the relationship between detectives Cassie Stuart (Nicola Walker) and Sunil ‘Sunny’ Khan (Sanjeev Bhaskar), while also exploring the lives of various characters separated by time and geography.

Each season of Unforgotten features a diverse array of locations across the UK, showcasing the country’s rich backdrop from urban to rural settings. The creator and writer Chris Lang draws inspiration from the places he wishes to visit, leading to captivating storytelling that also sparks a sense of vicarious travel for viewers. Here’s a guide to the highlights of season four’s locations.

SOUTHALL

Beginning with Southall, located on the outskirts of London, the show has utilized many locales in this area. Season four particularly showcases West London, where one of the lead characters, Ram Sidhu (Phaldut Sharma), resides. In the first episode, viewers witness his journey through the busy Broadway while visiting his family’s clothing business.

BUXTON

Next, we venture to Buxton in the spectacular Peak District. Here, Fiona Grayson (Liz White) and her husband are depicted establishing their business in Market Square. However, the picturesque scenery also includes breathtaking aerial views of nearby areas such as Fairfield, Winnats Pass, and Castleton in later episodes.

CAMBRIDGE

For the character Liz Baildon (Susan Lynch), scenes are set against the historic backdrop of Cambridge. Viewers can see her cycling over Garret Hostel Bridge, passing Trinity Bridge, and navigating The Backs with the majestic King’s College Chapel in the background. Parts of subsequent episodes were filmed at St John’s College, further enriching the visual narrative.

ROCHESTER

Another fascinating location is Rochester in Kent, where businessman Dean Barton (Andy Nyman) takes us through the town’s rich history. This includes the impressive medieval cathedral and the charming riverside setting of Medway Towns Rowing Club, with additional shooting nearby in Strood.

SEASONS ONE TO THREE

In previous seasons, the show traveled across the nation. The first series featured Southend and Liverpool, with notable scenes on Southwark Bridge in South London. Season two highlighted Brighton’s iconic pier and the historic charm of Winchester and the Cotswolds. Season three transported viewers to Lymington in Hampshire, with key scenes shot in Bristol, showcasing the Clifton Suspension Bridge and areas in Norfolk, including King’s Lynn and Hunstanton.

The fourth season of Unforgotten began screening on ITV on Mondays at 9pm.