Heel, ITV’s bold six-part crime drama that premiered in early 2026, marks another triumph for Stephen Graham, Britain’s most electrifying character actor. Written by Tony Schumacher (the mind behind The Responder) and directed by Philip Barantini, the series casts Graham as Tommy “The Heel” Walsh, a former bare-knuckle boxer and enforcer for a Merseyside crime family who is released from prison after serving 12 years for a brutal assault he insists he didn’t commit. What begins as a classic revenge tale quickly evolves into a raw, emotionally charged exploration of masculinity, loyalty, regret, and the cost of living by a code that no longer exists.
Upon his release, Tommy returns to a Liverpool that has moved on without him. His old crew is now run by younger, more ruthless players who see him as a relic. His estranged wife Marie (played with fierce tenderness by Vicky McClure) has built a new life with their teenage son, who barely remembers his father. Tommy’s aging mother, Dot (Sue Johnston in a heartbreaking supporting role), is the only one who still believes in him—but even she knows the streets have changed. Determined to prove his innocence and reclaim his dignity, Tommy sets out to track down the real culprit behind the crime that cost him more than a decade of his life.
Graham’s performance is nothing short of magnetic. Known for his ability to portray both explosive rage and heartbreaking vulnerability, he imbues Tommy with a coiled intensity that makes every scene feel dangerous. Whether he’s staring down a former ally in a dimly lit pub or quietly breaking down in his childhood bedroom, Graham makes Tommy feel lived-in and real. The role allows him to explore a different shade of masculinity than his previous work—less volatile than his This Is England skinhead Combo, more broken than his Line of Duty corrupt cop John Corbett—yet just as compelling.
The supporting cast is equally strong. McClure brings quiet steel to Marie, a woman torn between protecting her son and the lingering love she still feels for Tommy. Shaun Dingwall plays Tommy’s former best friend and betrayer Ray, whose guilt and fear create a tense, layered dynamic. Young actor Lewis Gribben shines as Tommy’s son, caught between resentment and a desperate need for his father’s approval. The ensemble feels authentically Merseyside—gritty, loyal, and fiercely protective of their own.
Visually, Heel is a love letter to Liverpool’s working-class heart. Shot on location in the city’s docks, estates, and pubs, the series uses natural light, handheld cameras, and muted colors to create a sense of immediacy and realism. The soundtrack—featuring raw Scouse indie, classic soul, and original compositions—underscores the emotional weight of every confrontation and quiet moment of reflection.
Critically, Heel has been hailed as one of ITV’s strongest dramas in years. The Guardian called it “a bruising, beautifully acted study of what it means to be a man when the world no longer needs your fists.” Viewers have praised the show’s refusal to glamorize violence or offer easy redemption, as well as its unflinching look at the ripple effects of incarceration on families and communities.
At its core, Heel is about what happens when a man built for a certain world discovers that world has disappeared. Tommy Walsh isn’t a hero or a villain—he’s a product of circumstance, trying to find meaning in a life that has been stolen from him. Stephen Graham, once again, proves why he is one of the finest actors working today: he doesn’t just play a character—he becomes him.
For anyone who loved The Responder, Time, or Boiling Point, Heel is essential viewing. It’s brutal, tender, and unforgettable—a powerful reminder that some wounds never fully heal, but redemption can still be fought for, even when the odds are stacked against you.
