Filming has commenced on The Street writer Jimmy McGovern’s new primetime drama series for BBC One.

The six-part drama series was announced earlier this year and is described as a “State of the Nation piece.”

Sean Bean will lead the cast of Broken as Father Michael Kerrigan, a Catholic priest presiding over a Northern urban parish.

The Game of Thrones star will be joined by Anna Friel (Marcella), Paula Malcolmson (Ray Donovan), Aisling Loftus (Mr Selfridge) and Adrian Dunbar (Line of Duty).

The cast also includes Mark Stanley, Muna Otaru, Danny Sapani, Lauren Lyle and Rochenda Sandall.

Anna Friel commented: “The Street gave me one of my most rewarding roles and afterwards I promised myself that I would collaborate with Jimmy McGovern again. When the chance came up to work on Broken I jumped at it. Sean is a great actor, it’s a typically brave and truthful script from Jimmy and I’m back up North. It’s an important subject and a unique character. I can’t wait.”

Friel will play Christina Fitzsimmons, who lives in the heart of the community with her three children and mother. Christina is intelligent, sharp, and honest but the lack of money pushes her to the very edge.

The official synopsis for Broken reads: “Modern, maverick, and reassuringly flawed, Father Michael must be confidante, counsellor and confessor to a congregation struggling to reconcile its beliefs with the challenges of daily life in contemporary Britain.”

Are you looking forward to Broken? Let us know below…