PREVIEW: Stephen, ITV

Sharlene Whyte, Steve Coogan and Hugh Quarshie play leading roles in Stephen, the three-part sequel to the groundbreaking ITV drama, The Murder of Stephen Lawrence.

Sharlene Whyte (Small Axe, We Hunt Together) takes the role of Doreen Lawrence with Hugh Quarshie (Breeders, Absentia, White Heat, Holby City) reprising his performance of Neville Lawrence from the original award-winning drama. BAFTA award winning actor Steve Coogan (Stan & Ollie, Philomena) takes the role of DCI Clive Driscoll who led the investigation into the murder of the Lawrences’ beloved son, Stephen.

Stephen portrays events from 2006, thirteen years after Stephen’s death on the evening of 22 April 1993 in a racially motivated attack whilst waiting for a bus in Well Hall Road, Eltham.

Even though Doreen and Neville Lawrence knew the identity of their son’s killers, the original investigation had failed to convict those responsible, and their extraordinary campaign for justice led to a public inquiry which branded Metropolitan Police institutionally racist and brought about sweeping changes in the law and police practices and transformed thinking and understanding of racial inequality in the UK.

Yet six years on from the Inquiry no progress had been made into the case. The drama tells the story of the ongoing struggle by Doreen and Neville Lawrence to achieve justice and how a detective, DCI Clive Driscoll – working closely with the Lawrences – puts together an investigation that finally – more than 18 years after his death – secures the convictions of two of the gang who committed the murder of Stephen.

On 22nd April 1993, 18-year-old black student, Stephen Lawrence was murdered by a gang of racists on a London street. Thirteen years later, in 2006, the murder remains unsolved and Stephen’s parents Doreen and Neville continue their fight for justice.

Meanwhile, DCI Clive Driscoll finds Stephen’s cold case files and takes on the case.

Shocked by historical failures and omissions, Clive tasks an independent team of forensic scientists to conduct a fresh examination of the evidence.

After a forensic breakthrough, Clive reaches out to Doreen and Neville and assures them he is going to bring Stephen’s killers to justice. While they are encouraged by the progress Clive’s team have made, Doreen remains wary, jaded by past experiences with the police.

Stephen begins Monday 30th August at 9pm on ITV.