One of the most diverse British actors currently working, Stephen Graham, has won praise for his performances in British indie films, HBO dramas and Hollywood blockbusters. An expert in finding and portraying the complex emotional sides of men you would otherwise dismiss as criminals, Graham is regularly called upon to give what could be one-note characters more depth.
He will next be seen in Idris Elba’s directorial debut Yardie, which comes to cinemas August 31, where he has drawn on his Jamaican heritage to play East London gangster Rico. To celebrate, we take a look at Stephen Graham’s greatest performances.
Combo – This is England (2006)
This Is England follows Shaun, a young boy, whose father died fighting in the Falklands War. After standing up to a group of teasing skinheads, Shaun befriends them and soon fits into the gang well, becoming almost like a family. However, trouble arises when Combo (Stephen Graham), a violent racist, gets involved. Shaun must decide who to side with as he faces immense pressure from everyone around him. Stephen Graham gave one of his best performances as Combo, using the experiences he faced as a child as a reference for his role and remains a significant figure against racism even to this day.
Tommy – Snatch (2000)
Two illegal boxing promoters, Turkish (Jason Statham) and Tommy (Stephen Graham) organise a rigged bare-knuckle fight for fellow boxing promoter and gangster Brick Top (Alan Ford). However when their boxer Mickey (Brad Pitt) knocks his opponent out in the first round rather than going down himself in the fourth, Brick Top threatens to execute Turkish, Tommy, and Mickey. Stephen plays Jason Statham’s right-hand man in this classic crime comedy film directed by Guy Richie, which has gone on to develop a cult following.
Al Capone – Boardwalk Empire (2010-14)
Boardwalk Empire is a period crime series set at the dawn of the Prohibition era in Atlantic city. The treasurer of Atlantic County, Enoch “Nucky” Thompson (Steve Buscemi) has as many contacts with gangsters as he does with the politicians. His lavish lifestyle is questioned by the federal government as rumours point to Nucky as the main importer of illegal alcohol as he does business with the likes of Al Capone (Stephen Graham) in Chicago and Lucky Luciano (Vincent Piazza) in New York. Stephen’s role as Al Capone helped win him and his cast mates the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance two years in a row.
Shang – Gangs of New York (2002)
Set in 1863, Irishman Vallon (Leonardo Di Caprio) returns to New York to avenge his father’s killer, Bill ‘The Butcher’ Cutting (Daniel Day Lewis). However, Vallon struggles as the city is riddled with gangs, the most powerful of which is run by Bill Cutting who opposes all types of immigrants, in particular, the Irish. Amsterdam must fight for his own survival and to help find the Irish community a place in the chaotic melting pot of New York City. Stephen Graham played Shang in one of his first roles in a Hollywood movie, a member of the Irish gang that Vallon rallies together in the infamous Battle Of Five Points.
Billy Bremner – The Damned United (2009)
This film follows the controversial story of Brian Clough and the 44-day reign he had as the coach of English football club, Leeds United. Taking over from Don Revie, who quit to manage the England team, Brian Clough took charge but his harsh approach and dislike for the team’s aggressive tactics on the pitch caused a lot of problems. Graham played the role of the real-life footballer and team captain Billy Bremmer who stood up to Clough and voiced his team’s issues with his abrasive behaviour.
Rico – Yardie (2018)
Set in 1970’s Jamaica and 1980’s London, Yardie tells the story of a young Jamaican man, ‘D’ (Aml Ameen), who seeks retribution for the death of his older brother when he was a child. D’s mentor King Fox, a Kingston Don and music producer, sends D off to London to do a drug deal with gangster Rico (Stephen Graham). However whilst there he is reunited with his childhood girlfriend and daughter who, along with some new friends, make him realise that a life of crime and revenge may not be the best path. Graham’s skilled performance of Rico, who switches between East London and Jamaican dialect at will, is enthralling to watch.
YARDIE COMES TO CINEMAS AUGUST 31.
