The Walk-In review: Stephen Graham takes on neo-Nazis in intense ITV drama-Keith Watson-Entertainment – Metro

Stephen Graham plays a reformed neo-Nazi trying to expose the National Action group (Picture: ITV)

Amid the myriad crises throttling the nation – do you really need me to list them? – let’s take time out to consider the disturbing rise of racist neo-Nazi organisations intent on dividing an already divided society still further.

Doesn’t sound like a very enticing prospect, does it, even with the ever watchable Stephen Graham at its heart?

The Walk-In, a five-part investigation of the efforts of activist and reformed neo-Nazi Matthew Collins (Graham, intense and understated) to embed an undercover operative in the heart of the rabid National Action group, faces an uphill struggle to preach to anyone other than the converted.

Based on a true story and with the horrific murder of Labour MP Jo Cox as one of its pivotal moments, The Walk-In takes us back to 2016 and the turmoil of the Brexit referendum, the divisive nature of which sees National Action poised to ferment further aggro with its anti-Muslim, anti-Jewish credo based on white supremacy.

National Action are portrayed here as scowling young beardy men – it’s all men – with an incel axe to grind.

Circling on the edge is Robbie (Andrew Ellis), a frustrated drifter attracted to a perceived sense of camaraderie and irked by the fact his Muslim work colleagues get to take prayer breaks. As such, he’s ripe for fascist grooming.

The Walk-In is based on a true story (Picture: ITV)

It’s set during the divisive political events of 2016 (Picture: ITV)

It’s a dark and hateful world with little light or shade that writer Jeff Pope whips up, and he knows how to dish out the hate-speak.

But there’s little real sense of what fuels the race venom driving these young men – we just have to take it at face value.

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Hopefully future episodes will sketch in more of Matthew Collins’ story, National Fronter turned anti-fascist campaigner, because his is the truly interesting story arc.

As TV dramas go The Walk-In is like a no-pain, no-gain workout at the gym and there’s no doubting its sincere intentions and important message.

But you do fear it will fall on deaf ears.

Airs at 9pm tonight on ITV.

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