Stephen Graham Names His Best Role, and It's This 93% Fresh Drama: "Just a Wonderful Gift"

Despite his current global fame after the success of the Netflix series Adolescence, Stephen Graham considers his greatest career breakthrough to be a role he played almost twenty years ago in a small but powerful British project.

Stephen Graham Claims That His Defining Role Is Andrew in 'This Is England'

He refers to his portrayal of the racist skinhead Combo in Shane Meadows' drama This Is England, which remains a cultural phenomenon to this day.

In an interview with Channel 4, when asked about his career, Graham said that the role in Shane Meadows' drama was the one he had been waiting for for years:

“It was the kind of role I'd been waiting to play for years. As an actor, you really want to challenge yourself… when someone gives you the chance to create a character like that, it's just a wonderful gift.”

What Is 'This Is England' About?

The story begins in the summer of 1983. Twelve-year-old Shaun is alone and lost after his father dies in the Falklands War. His life changes when he befriends a group of local teenage skinheads and discovers a world of friendship, first love, and subculture.

This idyll is shattered by the return from prison of Combo, an older friend who is charismatic and aggressive.

Under Combo's influence, the group descends into racist violence, and Shaun undergoes a painful rite of passage that separates him from his childhood forever.

Even 20 Years Later, 'This Is England' Is Still a Brilliant Coming-of-Age Drama

The story began as a feature-length movie in 2006 and continued with three seasons of the series, spanning seven years of the characters' lives against the backdrop of Thatcher's harsh social reality in England.

This Is England is not a nostalgic look back but a merciless examination of how politics can cripple lives at the most mundane level. The movie tackle difficult topics such as racism, bullying, drugs, sexual violence, and family breakdown.

However, This Is England doesn't just shock – it also teaches empathy. It forces viewers to understand the roots of the characters' pain, fears, and mistakes, even if they don't recognize themselves in them.

What Did Critics & Viewers Think of 'This Is England'?

• This Is England has 93% from critics and 90% from viewers on Rotten Tomatoes.

• On IMDb, the movie has a score of 7.7/10.

• On Letterboxd, This Is England scored 4.1/5.0.

Where to Watch 'This Is England'?

This Is England is available to buy or rent on Amazon Prime Video.