August 1, 2025
Unforgivable on BBC
Unforgivable – A Quick Look at the Work Behind the Scenes
Setting the Scene
I had the pleasure of working on Unforgivable, a feature film that dives deep into some pretty heavy subject matter. I was part of the Art Department, handling all things graphic design—from documents and forms to screen graphics, signage, fake brands and whatever else was needed to help build the world the story lives in.
It was one of those jobs where the design work wasn’t front and centre (and wasn’t supposed to be), but it had to be there, quietly doing its job to make everything feel real. My favourite kind of project.
The Trial: Paperwork Overload
A big chunk of the work went into the trial scenes. Loads of paperwork had to be created: files, court bundles, redacted pages, exhibits—everything you’d expect to find in a real courtroom. The funny thing is, you barely see most of it on screen. But that’s sort of the point. If it disappears into the background, then it’s working. Nothing pulls focus, and everything feels believable. That’s the goal.
Details That Stay with You
Outside of the courtroom, we also designed various wall paintings seen throughout the film, and all of the tombstones featured in the cemetery scene. These kinds of elements might only be visible for a moment—or not at all—but they help flesh out the world. It’s the sum of all those subtle details that gives a film its atmosphere.
Julia Ford: A Director Who Gets It
One thing that really stood out for me on this job was working with Julia Ford, the director. She was an absolute pleasure—down to earth, super professional, and very clear in her vision. It makes a huge difference when the person at the top trusts the team and gives space to everyone to do what they do best. That energy filtered through the whole production.
Art Department Chaos (The Good Kind)
As always, working in the Art Department means being part of a proper team effort. Everyone’s bringing ideas, adapting to last-minute changes, solving problems as they come up—it’s fast-paced, creative, and slightly chaotic in the best possible way.
Quiet Design, Real Impact
I’m proud to have been a small part of this one. It’s always satisfying to see a world come together on screen and know you helped make it feel real—even if it’s just in the form of a wall mural, a gravestone, or a fake post-it note. That’s the magic of good design in film: if you’ve done it right, most people won’t even notice it.
Unforgivable is now streaming on BBC iPlayer.