'Masterpiece' drama with Stephen Graham is 'the best on ITV and frightening to watch'

British TV dramas are often among the best in the world, and when they're based on true events, they can be even more powerful. But no matter how good the writing or subject is, a handful of actors have the rare ability to make anything they're in worth watching. One of them is Stephen Graham.

The now 52-year-old actor is known for hard-hitting performances in dramas like Time, Little Boy Blue, Boiling Point, and most recently Adolescence. But one of his most powerful roles in recent years came in a five-part ITV series that many viewers say is "frightening", "important", and "the best drama on ITV".

The Walk-In follows the true story of an anti-racism campaigner who tries to stop a neo-Nazi group from carrying out a horrific attack.

Set during the turbulent period around the Brexit vote, it explores rising extremism and the attempts to infiltrate a dangerous far-right network.

In the show, Graham plays Matthew Collins, a real-life activist and member of the advocacy group Hope Not Hate.

With growing fears about violent plots, Collins works with police and others to investigate the extremist group National Action.

The show has received widespread praise from critics and viewers since it first aired.

One reviewer called it "frightening true life drama" and praised writer Jeff Pope for delivering a "meticulously researched piece" that avoids political point-scoring and simply "lets the true events speak for themselves".

Another wrote: "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."

The Guardian, The Independent, and the Evening Standard all gave the series four stars out of five, while film critic Lucy Mangan described it as "one of the best TV investments you can make".

One viewer added: "Watched the whole series in one sitting. Excellent acting and captures the confusion of the time. It's the best drama on ITV."

Another said: "This is something that should be shown in schools. It is such a powerful series."

The show currently holds an 80% critic score and an 81% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes.

The Walk-In originally aired on ITV in 2022 and is still available to stream ITVx. A follow-up documentary, Nazi Hunters: The Real Walk-In, was also released after the final episode.