Stephen Graham’s Five-Part True-Crime Drama About a Neo-Nazi Assassination Plot Is Gripping and Unsettling Viewing
Stephen Graham takes on one of his most disturbing roles in The Walk-In, a five-part drama based on real events that exposes the dangers of far-right extremism in Britain. Combining the tension of a political thriller with the realities of a genuine assassination plot, the series follows an anti-racist activist working undercover to help prevent a potentially deadly attack.
Praised by critics for its gripping storytelling and the importance of its subject matter, the drama offers a chilling examination of radicalisation, political violence and the people determined to confront them. Originally broadcast to positive reviews, The Walk-In is available to stream on ITVX for free, giving viewers an opportunity to discover a powerful story rooted in recent British history.
The Real-Life Story Behind The Walk-In
The series centres on Matthew Collins, an activist with the anti-racist organisation Hope Not Hate. When an assassination plot targeting a Labour MP comes to light, Collins becomes involved in efforts to expose the people behind it and help prevent the planned attack.
His work takes him into the world of a neo-Nazi terrorist group, where the threat extends beyond the conspiracy itself. The drama examines how extremist organisations operate, how individuals become drawn into their ideology and what it takes to challenge movements built around hatred and political violence.
Rather than treating the events as a conventional crime story, The Walk-In explores the people caught up in this dangerous environment. It considers both the process of radicalisation and the possibility that someone involved in an extremist movement might eventually turn away from it.
The result is an unflinching portrayal of British neo-Nazism that gives the series a sense of urgency beyond its central investigation.
Stephen Graham Leads a Strong Cast
Stephen Graham stars as Matthew Collins, bringing the activist’s real-life experiences to the screen.
He is joined by Dean-Charles Chapman as Jack Renshaw and Andrew Ellis, his former This Is England co-star, as Robbie Mullen, a young man who becomes involved with the neo-Nazi group.
The cast helps ground the series in the experiences of individuals whose lives intersect with the unfolding plot. Their performances give weight to the drama’s political themes, making its exploration of extremism feel personal as well as unsettling.
Graham’s involvement is particularly significant to the series’ appeal, with the actor taking on a story that combines criminal intrigue with difficult questions about ideology, responsibility and the consequences of political hatred.
Why Critics Praised the Drama
The Walk-In received positive reviews after its original broadcast and holds an 80% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Writing a four-star review for The Independent, critic Nick Hilton praised the series’ examination of radicalisation. He noted the difficulty of watching its uncompromising depiction of British neo-Nazism while highlighting the compelling journey of an ordinary person drawn into a destructive ideology before moving away from it.
Vicky Jessop of The Evening Standard also awarded the drama four stars. She described it as gripping and emphasised the importance of its subject matter, recommending that viewers share it with friends and family to help raise awareness of the issue.
Together, the reviews highlight the qualities that distinguish The Walk-In from a conventional crime thriller. The series builds suspense around a real-life plot while confronting an issue with serious consequences beyond the screen.
Its story is disturbing by design, asking viewers to consider how extremist beliefs take hold, how dangerous networks can be exposed and why efforts to challenge them matter.
Where to Watch The Walk-In for Free
The five-part series is available on Disney+ for subscribers. Those without a Disney+ subscription can also watch it for free on ITVX.
For viewers interested in true-crime dramas, political thrillers or Stephen Graham’s performances, The Walk-In offers a tense account of an assassination plot and the efforts made to stop it.
More than a story about a dangerous conspiracy, it explores the people behind the headlines and the difficult realities of confronting extremism in modern Britain.