Murder ... that’s what friends are for, says Nic

NICOLA WALKER has been on our screens for more than 20 years, probably best known for her role in Last Tango In Halifax.

Now she’s back as DCI Cassie Stuart in ITV’S crime drama Unforgotten.

Each series focuses on a cold case investigated by Cassie and her sidekick, DS Sunny Khan, portrayed by Sanjeev Bhaskar, and the pair have become one of the most formidable double acts on TV.

Last week, the latest run began with the discovery of a body on a building site near the M1.

It was identified as that of a teenage girl who went missing around the turn of the millennium, and a group of now middle-aged friends – played by James Fleet, Alex Jennings, Neil Morrissey and Kevin Mcnally – have become the police’s prime suspects.

“It was fantastic having the new cast members join us,” says Nicola.

“I did my first job with James in Four Weddings And A Funeral – which I’m in for a blink!

“I think he is absolutely remarkable in this show.

“I had also worked with Alex on Spooks but hadn’t worked with Neil or Kevin before, so that was exciting.

“That is always one of the best bits about this job, doing those first few scenes when we knock on the door with the new suspects behind it, knowing you are going to go on this long, interesting journey with them.”

One of the reasons the drama is so popular is the dynamic between Cassie and Sunny.

They have a purely platonic relationship and it’s clear they truly like and admire each other.

“Their relationship is unique for a TV drama,” claims Walker.

“It’s great to see it as I know it is possible – I have wonderful male friends who I rely on, but you just don’t see it very often on screen.”

Unforgotten, ITV, tonight, 9pm.

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