Stephen Graham and Vicky McClure’s Award-Winning British Drama Is a Must-Watch — And Its Three TV Series Are Free in the UK

Long before Adolescence and Line of Duty made Stephen Graham and Vicky McClure familiar faces to an even wider television audience, the two actors delivered standout performances in a raw, emotionally charged British drama that remains one of the most memorable productions of its kind.

Created by Shane Meadows, This Is England began as a critically acclaimed 2006 film before continuing through three television miniseries: This Is England ’86, This Is England ’88 and This Is England ’90. Together, they follow a close-knit group of friends as they grow older, confront painful experiences and navigate the changing realities of life in Britain.

There is also good news for UK viewers looking to revisit the story or discover it for the first time: all three television instalments are currently available to stream for free with adverts on Channel 4.

A Coming-of-Age Story That Takes a Much Darker Turn

The story begins in 1983, introducing Shaun, a lonely 12-year-old played by Thomas Turgoose. Still grieving the loss of his father, who died in the Falklands War, Shaun struggles to find his place in the world.

His summer takes a different direction when a group of local skinheads welcome him into their circle. For a boy who has spent much of his time alone, their friendship offers a sense of belonging and the chance to experience life beyond his isolation.

But the group’s fragile sense of community is challenged by the arrival of Combo, played by Stephen Graham. Recently released from prison, the older skinhead brings increasingly aggressive racist views that begin to divide the group and pull Shaun towards a more dangerous path.

What starts as a story about adolescence, friendship and identity gradually becomes a much tougher exploration of prejudice, loyalty and violence. The original film establishes the characters and relationships that would later develop across the television series.

Stephen Graham and Vicky McClure Lead an Outstanding Ensemble

The story continues in This Is England ’86, This Is England ’88 and This Is England ’90, each returning to the same group as their lives become increasingly complicated. Relationships, parenthood, personal trauma and the pressures of adulthood all take centre stage, while the characters’ friendships are tested by the consequences of their choices.

McClure plays Lol, while Joseph Gilgun stars as Woody. They are joined by an impressive supporting cast that includes Jo Hartley, Andrew Shim, Michael Socha and Chanel Cresswell.

The drama’s strength lies in its ability to balance warmth and humour with deeply uncomfortable subject matter. Its characters are flawed and often make painful decisions, but the series gives their experiences room to unfold without avoiding the difficult consequences.

That commitment to honest, emotionally demanding storytelling helped the franchise earn significant industry recognition.

McClure won the BAFTA for Best Actress for her performance in This Is England ’86 in 2011. She was nominated again for This Is England ’88 the following year. Graham received a Leading Actor nomination for This Is England ’90 at the 2016 BAFTA Television Awards.

The original film also won the BAFTA for Best British Film in 2008, while This Is England ’88 and This Is England ’90 each went on to win the BAFTA for Best Mini-Series.

Where to Watch the Three Series for Free

For viewers in the UK, all three television instalments — This Is England ’86, This Is England ’88 and This Is England ’90 — are currently available to stream free with adverts on Channel 4.

The original 2006 film is not included in that free streaming offer. It is available through digital rental or purchase options, including Apple TV.

Anyone new to the franchise should begin with the film, which introduces Shaun, Combo and the wider group before the television stories pick up their lives in the years that follow.

With its exceptional performances, award-winning writing and uncompromising portrayal of friendship, identity and social tensions, This Is England remains a powerful piece of British television history.

Long before Graham and McClure became household names, this drama showed just how much they could bring to the screen.