Fans of hard-hitting Netflix drama Adolescence can now view one of star Stephen Graham’s ‘most liked’ ITV dramas on the streamer, and it also features a famous sitcom star
Viewers gripped by Netflix’s hit drama series Adolescence can now watch another of Stephen Graham’s acclaimed series on the streamer. The 51 year old actor also starred in the five part 2022 true crime drama The Walk-In, alongside a cast that includes Game of Thrones’ Dean-Charles Chapman, Line of Duty’s Leanne Best, and Mrs Brown’s Boys star and creator Brendan O’Carroll.
The Walk-In aired on ITV in October 2022 and won praise from viewers and critics. Now available on Netflix, it is based on the true story of how Matthew Collins, of activist group Hope Not Hate, hatched a plan to infiltrate a British neo-nazi terrorist group called National Action, and helped to foil a plot to assassinate Labour MP Rosie Cooper.
A man named Jack Renshaw was sentenced to life imprisonment for his plan to kill Ms Cooper.
Stephen Graham stars as Matthew Collins, alongside Dean-Charles Chapman as Renshaw, and Andrew Ellis as young recruit Robbie Mullen, while Brendan O’Carroll, best known as Agnes Brown in Mrs Brown’s Boys, appears in one episode as Uncle Ronnie.
In an interview with Radio Times in October 2022, Stephen explained why he decided to star in The Walk-In.
“I think it’s important we have drama like this that tells the truth. It’s the reason why I choose the scripts I do. I love to go into people’s living rooms and create conversation and debate, try and bring about some discussion about what they’re watching. It’s important for me, as an actor, to be part of something that’s a social commentary.”
At the time the series was broadcast, Lucy Mangan in The Guardian called it “one of the best TV investments you can make,” and said that Stephen Graham played Collins “with his customary unshowy commitment and aplomb, and convinces as utterly as ever.” Nick Hilton in The Independent simply asked: “Is there a better actor working in British television, right now, than Stephen Graham?” in his review.
However, MP Rosie Cooper, who was the target of the far right murder plot said in the House of Commons that she was not happy with the way the series was promoted at the time. “I have been used as a marketing tool by both Hope not hate and ITV,” she said. “What excuse is there for a press release that says, ‘Who is Rosie Cooper, and who wanted to murder her?'” She went on to say that Hope Not Hate and ITV should donate all the money and proceeds from the series to the Jo Cox Foundation, which was set up following the murder of MP Jo Cox in 2016.
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Fans of Stephen Graham can catch more performances from the actor on Netflix, including the time travelling drama Bodies, historical drama Taboo and his two collaborations with director Martin Scorsese, Gangs of New York and The Irishman.
Adolescence also reteams the actor with people he has worked with in the past. Jack Thorne, who co-wrote Adolescence with Stephen, also worked with him on the acclaimed Shane Meadows’ series This Is England 86, 88 and 90 and also The Virtues and the television film Help, in which Stephen starred with Jodie Comer in a drama set during the COVID-19 pandemic.
All those series are available to stream on Channel 4’s streaming service, while Boiling Point, which Stephen made with Adolescence’s director Philip Barantini, is available on BBC iPlayer.
Adolescence and The Walk-In are available on Netflix now.
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