The Walk-In (2022) User Reviews

Frightening true life drama

[JRB-NorthernSoul · 7/10 · 3 October 2022]

Writer Jeff Pope is no stranger to true life dramas having previously written the excellent 'Little boy blue' (also starring Stephen Graham) about the tragic murder of Rhys Jones in Liverpool.

This is another meticulously researched piece looking at a racist far-right group through the events surrounding the sickening murder of MP Jo Cox in 2016 and a vicious attack on a Sikh dentist, Dr Sarandev Bhambra in 2015.

Its a hard watch and given the politics it could easily have become a point scoring piece but instead chooses to let the true events speak for themselves.

Sensible viewers watching this will draw the same conclusions, don't let the haters win and stand up against hatred wherever you see it. Its moving and important TV that deserves to be widely seen.

It was very well made in all departments - the cast were excellent and authentic. My only criticism would be the length, I think it would have worked better and been tighter over 3 or 4 episodes rather than 5.

A tough watch, good series.

[Sleepin_Dragon · 8/10 · 23 December 2022]

A far right group active in The UK plot to kill a second MP, and target several minority groups, one of the members reaches out to activist, Matthew Collins, who writes anti fascist content.

Hard viewing, it is very uncomfortable to watch at times, the first couple of episodes feature some truly harrowing and upsetting content, you will see some sickening events, truly the worst of humanity, fortunately there's a glimmer of hope.

Stephen Graham, one of my favourite actors, I think he just has it, whatever it is, he has tonnes of it, when he's on screen, I watch, he is tremendous here, credit also to Leanne Best and Andrew Ellis, the acting made this drama. Chris Coghill was excellent too, talk about wild eyed.

I've spoken to a few people that said they couldn't get through episode one, that it was too much, what I would say, is that it is less harrowing towards the end.

Very well produced, superbly acted, it felt very realistic. I appreciate this show isn't for everyone, but I'd recommend it, entertaining as well as informative.

I loved the tribute they made to murdered MP Jo Cox, a tragedy that should never have happened.

8/10.

Mostly accurate portrayal

[harryfreeman-60766 · 8/10 · 5 October 2022]

Stephen Graham as always is amazing, being mixed race himself I love seeing him in these roles, similer to his work on This is England.

The story tracks showing how young, disenfranchised, confused lads can be sucked into the far right and for how some of the quickly see this isnt the violent world they want to be apart of.

The show trys to offer a fair representation of the modern far right, without the usual over the top portrayl of racist, drunk, dumb, working class louts. The show also quite rightly suggests that the rise in domestic islamic terrorism has pushed the far right to more aggressive retaliation and may be a reason alot of english lads sign up.

Worth a watch.

Strangely unengaging.

[Good-Will · 7/10 · 5 October 2022]

I absolutely adore Stephen Graham who chooses tough, hard hitting drama rather than any routine roles offered to him.

So it's personally disappointing to only give this a 7/10 because I think it could have been so much better.

The real life situations are hard enough to bear, but when dramatised then I just felt that they should have had more impact.

Acting was great, direction was a bit iffy and the editing was bearable.

But here was something missing which I can't quite put my finger on.

Maybe there was more of a story here regarding the conversion of Graham's character, or a deeper analysis of the different right wing factions and how they differed from each other and what drove them apart.

I could be alone in this, but I was disappointed.

Excellent drama that we should all watch.

[seannaylor · 10/10 · 1 November 2022]

This is TV drama at its best, well written, researched, directed and acted. I never usually watch anything on ITV as most of their output is made up of boring police series, but I'm glad I watched this compelling drama based on the book by Matthew Collins. Stephen Graham as always is excellent as is Andrew Ellis who plays Robbie. I found all of the performances realistic quite moving at times. The series is a warning to us all that we must stand up and fight the far right and their ideas wherever we come across them. My only complaint is the sheer number of adverts during each episode. In reality each episode is about 40 minutes long.

An important story, but an underwhelming drama

[paul2001sw-1 · 6/10 · 26 November 2022]

Jo Cox was a young British MP, tragically murdered by a racist group who objected to her of prejudice. 'The Walk-In' tells the story of the attempt to bring the perpetrators to justice, focusing on a confused memeber of the gang who came forward to condemn his former comrades. Stephen Graham plays the leader of an anti-racist group who had done something similar in his own use, and who now guides the new informant through the process. But it's a somewhat insipid, although believable, series. The informant is a not particularly appealing person who nonetheless feels that murder is a step too far. He agonises about doing what he only half-recognises to be the right thing; but the programme is reluctant (for obvious reasons) to be too sympathetic to him. The drama thus centres on Graham's fully-reformed character; but he has less at stake. The cartoonish evil of the villains is sadly not inaccurate, but it makes it impossible to tell a nuanced story, while Cox's death in episode one is a more dramatic moment than anything that comes thereafter. It was a terrible thing; but a single documentary might have been a better way to explore what happened.

Gripping drama, but --

[lavender-57161 · 8/10 · 2 November 2022]

Terrific drama, beautifully performed and well-paced. I notice that a previous reviewer suggests that the series avoided 'points scoring and let events speak for themselves', but I beg to differ. There were, in fact, any number of 'right-thinking' lectures in the episodes, which were rather patronising. It is perfectly possible to be proud of established British culture without choosing violence or extremism. The closing titles were a perfect example of Disraeli's 'lies, damned lies, and statistics'. It was meant to reinforce the writer's view that 'far-right' terrorism is a threat greater than Islamic radicalism, but that argument would be shown to be nonsense in a detailed discussion.

Pride before a fall.

[southdavid · 6/10 · 1 April 2023]

I decided against this one when it aired on ITV last year but, having appeared on the Guardian's top TV of the year list, I decided to give it a go. Despite heavy subject matter it wasn't as relentlessly dour as I thought it might be.

With far-right nationalism on the rise in the UK, an activist group "Hope not Hate" aim to infiltrate the operations of "National Action", a neo-Nazi organisation outlawed in 2016 after the Jo Cox Murder. Matthew Collins (Stephen Graham) a reformed BNP member and journalist for the group makes contact with Robbie Mullen (Andrew Ellis), a lonely man, co-opted into National Action, who shares some of the same beliefs, but is repulsed by the idea of murdering another MP. Collins tries to convince Mullen to testify at the trial of three other member of the group and goes to great lengths of keep him safe.

As I say, though there are some dark elements; it opens on a machete attack on a Muslim man by a white national and there are regular examples of racist language, it's not as relentlessly bleak as it might otherwise appear. Much of the appeal is Stephen Graham, who banters with Jason Flemyng, who plays his boss at "Hope not Hate" and somehow manages to keep his wife, played by Leanne Best, from leaving him even after he brings Mullen into his family home. It's also reasonably honest. It's not like Mullen sees the light and reverses his position, in court he even says that he's still prejudiced.

It's still probably a bit too long though, we could perhaps have lost some of the nuance about how hard Collins' family life is to remove a whole episode from the five-episode run. Whilst it's worthy, and whilst real actual people lived and died because of what happened here, it's not actually that dramatic of a story.

Whilst it's got good performances and is worthy to educate people on why people slide into extreme terrorist views, I don't think that I would still recommend this to people looking for an evenings entertainment.

He smashes it again

[davidburkett-46818 · 9/10 · 30 October 2022]

I thought Stephen Graham was truly fantastic in this gritty true to life turn of events that shows what actually happened in a real life case of an MP being murdered and all of the associated nonsense that went about prior to it happening.

It's a nonsensical and totally ridiculous murder that has the grounds for the entire story, but the way we get there is truly terrifying and very much an eye opener. As ever, Graham delivers an amazing performance and his supporting cast deliver a truly wonderful act of bringing us a masterpiece of British TV.

This is a hard watch but not because of brutal scenes, more that it requires a sane head to be able to compute it all.

Warning - scouse accents, subtitles needed

[oliverdearlove · 16 November 2022]

This is a contemporary drama and based on facts. I in fact do not remember anything except the nurder of the MP. The drama is.about a lay organisation who is helping a witness. The characters are realistic. The wife loudly protests a possible danger to her children. She always takes them back to Mum, complaining loudly. Stephen Graham is the lead actor in Hope not Hate and has to handle a frankly stupid witness and a loudly complaining spouse.

I think anything English, in our post - diana and The Crown state we should remember even a fact based film is a drama. This means that it may contain characters who dont exist, and inaccuracies.

Well worth sticking with. Those in Manchester have no difficulty with the accent 30 m away - Scouse or the 'pule.

Possible, Probable

[dcarroll74 · 6/10 · 23 July 2023]

This mini TV Drama is based on apparently known facts. Suffice to say, there is only one known fact I know of, and I will not cause emotional harm to the family. Their name I presume, has and will be mentioned enough.

I had no knowledge of the storyline except, Stephen Graham. This little fecker from somewhere in England, is an actor I bloody well admire. I hope he see's this.

I'm Irish and very seldom see English productions. When I do, I enjoy. And apparently, lately, Irish productions are shown in England, and enjoyed.

As soon as I see Stephen's name mentioned, on anything advertised on Irish TV? I have to watch. The only reason my Title is, because that is what it is. I haven't seen the whole series as of E2, I exxpect it will be good, especially because of Stephen.

The sad part is, it is based on fact, sometimes we need to be aware of fact. The family don't need reminding, they have it everyday therefore, they will not be mentioned.

Based on Stephen's previous record, and current production standards, I expect it will receive a rating of 9.99. I'm the dissenting vote.

Fascinating, assured, hard hitting true life drama

[wellthatswhatithinkanyway · 9/10 · 16 October 2022]

STAR RATING: ***** Brilliant **** Very Good *** Okay ** Poor * Awful

An Asian dentist is brutally attacked in a convenience store in Wales, hinting at a resurgence in far right violence. Michael Collins (Stephen Graham) is a reformed Neo Nazi, who now delivers anti-hate lectures at universities and lends his support to defeating the far right. Meanwhile, Robbie Mullen (Andrew Ellis), a disaffected young man drifting from job to job, becomes weary of Britain's Muslim population, and falls under the wing of National Action, a proscribed right wing organisation. In the build up to the Brexit referendum and the murder of Jo Cox MP, he becomes aware of a plot by NA member Jack Renshaw (Dean-Charles Chapman) to murder another MP. Robbie turns to Michael and the Searchlight organisation for help, but can he be called on to ultimately do the right thing?

Depicting a tale from fairly recent times and still so relevant it could have been torn from today's headlines, this hard hitting, unflinching dramatisation of this shattering true life tale certainly packs a powerful punch. With established director Paul Andrew Williams at the helm, it's reliably gritty and grimly believable, and carries an uncomfortable relevance, given the on-going threat from far right terrorism that lurks over our daily lives. Its themes allow it a natural edginess, and thankfully Williams and a solid cast pull it off with aplomb.

In yet another role that feels almost pre-written for him, Graham gives the role a natural dynamism and intensity that it requires and which, to be fair, no one could probably have done better. But it's his This is England co star Ellis, re-emerging in a supporting role that gives him space to shine as a deeply flawed, ignorant young man, reflecting his own failings on to different groups in society, without having the insight to look in on himself. There must be hundreds of others like him around the country, but this one has a glimmer of hope about him, and needs to do the right thing. Williams is careful not to leave his two central characters as limp caricatures, and invests an impressive amount of depth and backstory to them, delving deeply into what transformed each of them into the respective hateful figures each of them were in their own time, and the impactful connection they could have to each other in the present.

It's an uncomfortable, but compelling and fascinating tale, with reliably strong central performances, as well as sturdy support from the likes of Bobby Schofield, and together they deliver an impressive, unsettling true life drama relevant for our times. ****

Misses the mark.

[gorge-84901 · 3/10 · 5 October 2022]

Stephen Graham is an excellent actor and I have enjoyed many of his performances., but sadly this itv series just doesn't quite hit the mark. It feels as though it's been done so many times and this view does not bring anything new.

Stephen Grahams character just doesn't ring true (some of this is based on a true story) how can someone with extreme views suddenly change, why did they change? , how long did it take to change? Did his wife have the same views? The whys would be of interest- this is not explained so becomes unbelievable from the start.

The conversation with the two police offices at the very beginning was badly done - would the police hold him in such high esteem considering his background?

Excellent acting and a cautionary tale

[degrees-33365 · 9/10 · 7 October 2022]

Stephen Graham is excellent as always.

The story is based on true events a few years ago in the UK but the threat of an organized and violent far-right is real in many countries these days including the US.

Stephen Graham is excellent as always.

The story is based on true events a few years ago in the UK but the threat of an organized and violent far-right is real in many countries these days including the US.

Stephen Graham is excellent as always.

The story is based on true events a few years ago in the UK but the threat of an organized and violent far-right is real in many countries these days including the US.

Tough but necessary viewing for all

[InnerWisdom1000 · 9/10 · 28 July 2023]

It goes without saying that if Stephen Graham's name is listed on a new drama series, then you know it is an excellent bet to watch.

And The Walk-In is just that. A hard-hitting and tough drama to watch. Based on real events, amidst the shocking murder of Jo Cox in 2016 - a week before the Brexit Referendum - this drama series is raw, gripping and highly disturbing throughout. The script was authentic and most sensitive to what really happened during this time. The direction was very intelligent balancing some very difficult scenes with humanity and sensitivity.

The acting was superior throughout but the stand-out performance for me was Robbie Mullen's character played by Andrew Ellis: he simply lived and breathed the role and it would not be unfair to say he gave Stephen Graham a run for his money. He has a bright TV future ahead.

This is yet another top-notch drama series to hit our screens and yet another which more than delivers.

I highly recommend.

Good actors mumble their way through this

[canterburybella-680 · 5/10 · 19 October 2022]

I wanted to like this and I think I like this, but I can barely understand what they're saying half the time. Directors need to realize that the audience at home is reading a script along with watching. Just because the director knows what the actors are saying, please direct your actors to speak more clearly, even if the dialect may ring true for the area. What's the point in making a show if people can't understand what's being said.

I agree with other users, I would have liked to know more about Graham's character's background. He's a brilliant actor, and unfortunately gets casts with mediocre producers and directors.

Disappointing

[markaholmes · 2/10 · 25 October 2022]

Relying on Stephen Graham's excellent past work I was drawn to watch this. I have to say his performance is not convincing, a real let down and the story line dwells on one small fact that he might have done some bad things in the past. His lines didn't seem quite real and I would expect he was embarrassed with the script. The hand held shaky camera work (like Blair witch) was hard work on the eyes and quite irritating, honestly I nearly had a headache watching it. Really a waste of time I'm afraid itv are just looking for content to fill their library and justify the charges for it's premium adfree service.

Bored and needed subtitles ... wish I hadn't bothered

[stephenlasmith · 3/10 · 9 November 2022]

Despite the hype and advertising of this drama I was Disappointed with this and not sure how much is true but I can't stand stephen Graham as an actor .. he always seems to play the same type of villainous thuggish type and it seems like he isn't even acting ....the accents were strong so I couldn't understand much ...5 episode and it was on it hub so there were loads of crappy adverts too that this could have been condensed into a 1 and hour tv documentary...waste of time ......my point of view.....yes it was a horrible story and the homophobia and racism still continues and it always will sadly ..........