Stephen Graham and Vicky McClure’s “near-flawless” British drama is a must-see on TV tonight

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The popular British film This Is England, starring Stephen Graham (known from Line of Duty) and Vicky Myers, is back on TV tonight. You can watch it on Film4 at 9pm, and it will also be available to stream on Channel 4 afterwards.

This movie tells the story of a lonely 12-year-old boy who is bullied at school and gets involved with a group of skinheads. He looks up to an ex-convict as a father figure, but quickly discovers that the world of far-right extremism is harsh and filled with violence.

The film stars Thomas Turgoose and features a talented supporting cast, including Jo Hartley (known from Adolescence), Joe Gilgun (Brassic), Michael Socha (Being Human), and Chanel Cresswell (Trollied), among others, alongside Graham and Myers.

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The film is now considered a landmark achievement in British cinema, and it led to three follow-up TV series: This Is England ’86 (2010), This Is England ’88 (2011), and This Is England ’90 (2015).

We at Digital Spy also named it one of the best British film of the last 25 years.

Critics loved This Is England, giving it a 94% positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 96 reviews.

According to Common Sense Media, this is one of the best British films made this century. They praised director Shane Meadows for creating a realistic and compelling drama that offers a fascinating glimpse into a complicated period.

Both The Sydney Morning Herald and the renowned critic Roger Ebert praised the film, with the Herald describing it as deeply emotional and unsettling, and Ebert calling it gripping, suspenseful, and unyielding.

According to The New York Times, This Is England is a nearly perfect and quietly political film, a personal look back at a bygone youth. The Times in Britain called it Shane Meadows’ most personal and best work, blending his signature observant humor with a growing sense of foreboding.

You can watch the three follow-up shows right now on Channel 4’s streaming service, but you’ll need to tune in tonight to see the original film.

The latest issue of Living Legends is now available, and it’s dedicated to the incredible Dolly Parton! You can find “Dolly at 80” at newsagents and online for only £8.99.

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2025-12-04 10:19