Stephen Graham’s Chilling True-Crime Drama The Walk-In Is Being Called “Necessary” TV — And Its Real-Life Story Is More Disturbing Than Fiction

Stephen Graham has built a reputation for taking on some of Britain’s most gripping television roles, but one of his most unsettling performances deserves far more attention. His five-part crime drama The Walk-In plunges into the world of far-right extremism, undercover investigations and a real-life assassination plot that threatened a British MP.

First released in 2022, the ITV drama follows former neo-Nazi turned anti-fascist activist Matthew Collins, played by Graham, as he helps expose a dangerous extremist network operating in modern Britain. The story is based on events that unfolded between 2017 and 2018, making its subject matter all the more disturbing.

Now available to stream on ITVX, the series has drawn praise from viewers who describe it as compelling, chilling and essential viewing. For anyone looking for a crime drama grounded in real events, this is one worth adding to the weekend watchlist.

A Real-Life Assassination Plot at the Heart of the Story

At the centre of The Walk-In is Matthew Collins, a reformed neo-Nazi who dedicates himself to fighting the very ideology he once embraced.

His work takes a dangerous turn when Robbie Mullen, a disillusioned member of the far-right terrorist organisation National Action, secretly approaches him with information about the group.

National Action was banned in the UK in 2016 following the murder of Labour MP Jo Cox. Despite the ban, the organisation continued operating underground, and the threat posed by its members had not disappeared.

The drama focuses on events surrounding Jack Renshaw, played by Dean-Charles Chapman, whose plans to assassinate Labour MP Rosie Cooper set a high-stakes investigation in motion.

Working alongside the anti-fascist campaign group Hope Not Hate, Collins helps guide the operation from behind the scenes. Meanwhile, Mullen continues attending National Action meetings, gathering evidence that could expose the organisation and those involved in its plans.

The investigation ultimately helps thwart another assassination plot and bring those responsible to justice. Renshaw is sentenced to life imprisonment.

Why Stephen Graham Took the Role So Seriously

For Graham, The Walk-In was more than another crime drama. Its subject matter struck a personal chord, and the actor was conscious of the responsibility involved in bringing such a sensitive real-life story to television.

Speaking on The Graham Norton Show, he described the series as a powerful drama with a direct connection to contemporary society.

He said: “It’s very close to my heart – it’s a very poignant and powerful drama that’s really relevant to what is happening today.”

Graham also explained that he valued the production’s willingness to confront uncomfortable truths, saying he liked being part of something that “puts a mirror up to society.”

He admitted that he had initially felt nervous about how audiences would respond. However, he said the reception had been phenomenal.

That sense of urgency runs through the series, which explores how extremist beliefs can take hold and how individuals can work to challenge them.

The Cast Bringing This Disturbing True Story to Life

Graham leads a strong ensemble cast, with several familiar faces from British television helping recreate the events behind the investigation.

The main cast includes:

• Stephen Graham as Matthew Collins (Adolescence, White House Farm).
• Andrew Ellis as Robbie Mullen, the informant (This Is England, Boiling Point).
• Dean-Charles Chapman as Jack Renshaw (Game of Thrones).
• Leanne Best as Alison, Matthew’s wife (Ripper Street, Line of Duty).
• Jason Flemyng as Nick Lowles, chief executive of Hope Not Hate (Trigger Point, Pennyworth).
• Chris Coghill as Chris Lythgoe (Shameless, Doctors).
• Bobby Schofield as Matt Hankinson (SAS: Rogue Heroes, This City Is Ours).
• Dean Lennox Kelly as Renshaw’s father (Shameless, Jamestown).
• Nicola Stephenson as Renshaw’s mother (Holby City, Waterloo Road).
• Steven Miller as Young Lenny (Casualty, Shetland).
• David Hayman as Older Lenny (The Paradise).
• Remy Beasley as DC Victoria Henderson (Stella).
• Brendan O’Carroll as Uncle Ronnie (Mrs. Brown’s Boys).
• Andrew Havill as Mr. Atkinson (The Crown).
• Bryony Corrigan as Jo Cox (The Goes Wrong Show).

Is The Walk-In Worth Watching?

If hard-hitting crime dramas based on real events are your thing, The Walk-In makes a compelling case for your next binge.

Viewers have praised the series for confronting the realities of extremism, with some calling it “necessary” television. Rather than relying solely on fictional twists, the drama draws its tension from an investigation involving real people, a banned extremist organisation and an actual threat to a sitting MP.

Graham’s performance is another major draw. His portrayal of Collins anchors the story as it examines the risks involved in exposing dangerous networks and the determination required to challenge them.

Across five episodes, the series offers a tense look at a chapter of recent British history that remains relevant to discussions about political violence and radicalisation.

Watch The Walk-In Trailer

The official trailer offers a glimpse of the series’ dark atmosphere and the investigation at its centre.

Where Can You Stream The Walk-In?

All five episodes of The Walk-In are available to watch on ITVX.

More Stephen Graham Dramas to Add to Your Watchlist

If The Walk-In leaves you looking for more of Graham’s work, two other dramas explore difficult real-world subjects.

Adolescence — Netflix

In this gut-wrenching series, 13-year-old Jamie Miller is arrested after being accused of murdering a girl from his class. Graham plays Eddie, Jamie’s heartbroken father, as the story explores the devastating consequences surrounding the case.

Little Boy Blue — ITVX

This crime drama recounts the death of 11-year-old Rhys Jones, who was fatally shot on his way home from football practice in 2007. It offers another emotionally difficult look at a real-life tragedy, with Graham among the stars of the series.

For viewers drawn to television that confronts real events without losing its dramatic intensity, The Walk-In stands out as a gripping choice — and one of Stephen Graham’s performances worth seeking out.