ITV's crime drama Unforgotten has returned for its sixth season but came under fire within minutes of its premiere on Sunday night as the plot tackled some of the most controversial topics in British society today.
The series opener appeared to deride the presence of British-centric news channels in today's media cycle while also exploring themes such as racism in academia, asylum seekers and the COVID-19 pandemic.
The show's latest outing features Sinéad Keenan and Sanjeev Bhaskar as its detective duo, continuing their investigation of complex cold cases.
In episode one, the stage was set for the latest plotline following the discovery of human remains at Whitney Marsh which turned out to be linked to a recent murder.
Among the key storylines that emerged after the discovery was Melinda Ricci (played by MyAnna Buring), an outspoken commentator on Britannia News.
Ricci's ethics were thrown into question from the get-go as ITV viewers learned she was grappling with defending an "ISIS bride" case against her producer's wishes.
ITV Unforgotten: DCI Jess James returned to the drama in series 6's premiere
ITV
Elsewhere, the series featured Juliet Cooper (Victoria Hamilton), a history lecturer facing accusations of racism over using a controversial book title in academia.
Another plot followed Asif Syed (Elham Ehsas), an Afghan man preparing for his citizenship test while helping an undocumented friend enter the UK.
Throughout the opener, the show also incorporated mentions of COVID-19 lockdowns and pandemic references.
However, while some viewers praised the show's return despite the absence of former series stalwart Nicola Walker, several others were unimpressed with the crime drama appearing to take a stance on such real-life topical issues.
ITV Unforgotten appeared to mock news channels like GB News in its 'woke' series 6 premiere
ITV
So much so, some viewers branded the entire ordeal as "woke, illegitimate bulls***" and others rushed to the defence of the People's Channel, GB News, for feeling it had been unfairly mocked by the ITV drama.
On X, formerly Twitter, one viewer hit out: "Anyone watching 'Unforgotten'? So far they've brought in Shamima Begum and had a blatant did at GB News. Is there nothing the woke left won't use to try and brainwash the public?"
A second agreed: "Used to love Unforgotten but why spoil it with woke nonsense. Illegal immigrant jumps out the back of a lorry but he's a qualified cardiologist. He meets another Afghan illegal who delivers pizzas but is also a cardiologist. Switched it off. #Unforgotten."
Elsewhere, a third asked: "Did you catch Sunday's first episode of the latest 'Unforgotten' series? It attempts a crass hatchet-job on GB News, then marries it with the story of a teacher facing cancellation from a pupil, the sort of IRL injustice only Free Speech Nation would report on. A farce."
The criticism kept coming from a fourth who hit out: "So far, the new series of Unforgotten has: poor Afghan asylum seekers, wicked Tory government antivaxxers, and, of course, the far right. Can't say I'm surprised," followed by a face-palm emoji.
"ITV show Unforgotten were definitely pushing a GB news agenda... if I were @GBNEWS I'd go through the legal system and sue #Unforgotten," a fifth even suggested.
And a sixth pulled no punches: "@ITV well done, you've ruined one of the best crime dramas on TV trying to push your woke, illegitimate bulls*** down your audiences throats. F*** you."
However, there was some support for the numerous story arcs as one fan argued: "Brilliant first episode of #Unforgotten. I love how @ChrisLangWriter has what appear to be such disparate threads in the beginning but will weave together by the end. And nice to see a tie-in from a previous series." (sic)
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Writer Chris Lang had confirmed prior to the show's latest episode that contentious issues would provide the backdrop for its sixth season given how "divided" the nation had become.
"Our country seems more polarised than ever on all the key issues that affect the way we live today," Lang said.
"From immigration, to 'woke', to the environment, Brexit, the handling of the pandemic, the media...
"It is the unique sense of frustration, betrayal and ultimately of course, rage, this divide has created, that provides the backdrop for the murder in the series."
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