Gone but never Unforgotten...
Who’ll fill Nicola’s shoes in top cop show?
UNFORGOTTEN is to carry on despite the shock death of Nicola Walker’s main character – with a new police lead.
The fourth series of the cold case crime drama ended with DCI Cassie Stuart, played by Nicola, dying from her injuries in a car crash.
Distraught viewers feared it was the end of the road for the long-running TV hit, which is watched by up to 10 million.
But ITV has said co-star Sanjeev Bhaskar’s DI Sunny Khan will continue with a new “partner in crime”, written by Chris Lang again.
Fans immediately began to speculate on who could replace Nicola. An early favourite was Sarah Lancashire, world-weary Sgt Catherine Cawood from Happy Valley.
Suranne Jones, from Coronation Street and Doctor Foster, was also tipped.
But Unforgotten bosses may opt for someone already on the show, such as Pippa Nixon (DC Kaz Willetts) or Carolina Main (DC Fran Lingley).
Other fans suggested DI Khan might be promoted to DCI – with DC Willetts or DC Lingley filling his position.
Pippa earned rave reviews for her stage work, including with the Royal Shakespeare Company, over two decades. While Carolina starred opposite Adrian Dunbar in Blood, as well as having parts in Grantchester and Doctors. A spokesman for the broadcaster added: “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... but that Unforgotten would continue, in series five, with a new case and a new ‘partner in crime’ for DI Sunny Khan.” Sanjeev tweeted he was “delighted ITV has recommissioned Unforgotten and more of Chris Lang’s fab writing.
“I’ll continue to watch and learn from Nicola Walker as I’ve done these past five years, glowing with pride as my friend excels in everything she does.
“She’s a personal and national treasure.”
Each series has focused on a different case and also the emotional impact each investigation has on those involved.
Lang said online: “It has been an uncomplicated joy making four seasons of Unforgotten with Nicola Walker.
“Delighted to announce that Unforgotten will return, with the very brilliant Sanjeev... next year.”