She may be Unforgotten but it seems no one is irreplaceable. So many viewers tuned in to see Sinead Keenan take over from Nicola Walker in the hit police drama that ITV has commissioned a new series.
Bosses gave writer and creator Chris Lang the green light after eight million people per show saw the Northern Irish star play DCI Jessie James in the fifth series, which ended last week.
She replaced Nicola’s character DCI Cassie Stuart, who was killed off after a car crash.
Sinead, 45, has teamed up with regular Sanjeev Bhaskar, who plays DI Sunny Khan.
And the new pairing has proved a huge hit with viewers, becoming the top programme on streaming platform ITVX.
Writer Chris celebrated with his two stars and paid tribute to them on social media.
He said: “Just had a lovely long lunch with the beautiful Sanjeev Bhaskar and the gorgeous Sinead Keenan to celebrate spring, our very good fortune and the joy of working together again on Unforgotten.
“So pleased to tell you that this fabulous pair will be returning for a sixth series, as they tackle a murder that will take them all the way from the north Devon coast, to the railroads of Birmingham, Alabama. Yes, sir, Unforgotten is heading Stateside.”
And he said he already “had season six in my head”.
Chris said: “It was just down to the broadcaster [ITV], whether they asked me to do it.
“It’s a unique show, in that it has a format that is self-contained but with a certain degree of serialised elements through the characters.
“And as long as people keep watching it, we can keep making it well. At the point where either I don’t feel I can contribute to it, or make it better, obviously I’d stop. But we haven’t hit that point yet.”
And Sinead said about her first series: “A great big fat thank you to you all for being so lovely about Unforgotten. And a massive thank you to Chris, Sanjeev and all the brilliant cast and crew for having me.
“It was a joy.”
Sanjeev, 59, gave fans on social media a sneaky peek inside his backpack which he carries everywhere on the show.
He said: “People always ask me what Sunny keeps in his backpack. Well, I can show this time as a special treat, it’s [the script] for season six of Unforgotten. Get in!”
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