She'll star alongside Sanjeev Bhaskar who returns as DI Sunny Khan.
The latest series of hit ITV drama Unforgotten, created and written by Chris Lang and produced by Mainstreet Pictures, will begin filming later this month and sees Sinéad Keenan join as DCI Jessica James, the new co-lead following the departure of Nicola Walker.
The new series opens with the clock ticking down to DCI James’s first day in her new job with an unforeseen and devastating introduction to her family life. Determined to make a good first impression with her new colleagues, will Jess be in the right frame of mind to deliver and inspire the team?
And inevitably how will the ghost of much-loved former colleague Cassie Stuart haunt her? After all, Cassie will be big shoes for her to fill. Does she have the resolve, professionalism and spirit to live up to her much-admired and respected predecessor?
Jess’s first case is the discovery of human remains in a newly renovated period property in Hammersmith, London. But how long have they been there and is this a murder dating back to the 1930s or has the body been disposed of in more recent times?
As the murder mystery unfolds, we’ll explore the lives of several central characters Jay, played by Rhys Yates, Bele with Martina Laird in the role, Tony played by Ian McElhinney and Max Rinehart as Karol, who on the face of it appear seemingly unconnected to the victim. Hayley Mills will also play Tony’s wife, Emma.
DI Khan’s loyal and hard-working cold case investigations team are also back together for the series with Jordan Long as DS Murray Boulting and Carolina Main as DC Fran Lingley reprising their roles. Returning to the series are Georgia Mackenzie as pathologist Dr Leanne Balcombe, Michelle Bonnard as Sunny’s partner, Sal and Pippa Nixon as DC Kaz Willets.
Speaking about joining the fifth series of Unforgotten, Sinéad Keenan said "I have long been an admirer of Chris Lang’s work so I am absolutely delighted to be joining the Unforgotten team. I’m very much looking forward to working with the extraordinary cast led by the brilliant and incredibly lovely, Sanjeev Bhaskar."
"And I’m hoping that if I play my cards right I might even get to take a peek in Sunny’s backpack!"
To which writer Chris Lang added "And so it begins, a new Unforgotten journey - and it’s scary, for Sunny and the Bishop Street team, for the audience, for all of us. But it’s also very, very, exciting, and I cannot wait for you to meet DCI Jessica ‘Jessie’ James, played by the always brilliant, Sinéad Keenan."
Each of the six episodes in this fifth series will be written by Chris Lang who is also known for his work on Innocent, The Hookup Plan, Dark Heart, A Mother’s Son and the soon to be aired ITV drama, The Thief, His Wife and the Canoe.
Filming for this new series will be taking place in London, Tilbury, Bath and Paris with Andy Wilson who has directed all 24 episodes of the ITV drama since its debut on the channel in 2015 returning to direct series five of Unforgotten, which will be produced by Guy de Glanville - both executive producing alongside Sally Haynes, Chris Lang and Laura Mackie for Mainstreet Pictures.
Speaking on behalf of Mainstreet Pictures, Laura Mackie said "It’s a new era for Unforgotten and we’re delighted that the brilliant Sinéad Keenan is joining Sanjeev Bhaskar to head up another gripping and emotional investigation."
To which ITV's Drama Commissioner, Huw Kennair Jones added "Once again Chris has created a fascinating set of characters and woven a compelling story that the many Unforgotten fans are going to love. And we're thrilled Sinéad is joining Sanjeev and the rest of the team in what is going to be another brilliant series for the ITV audience."
Unforgotten will return to ITV