Stephen - new three-part drama on Stephen Lawrence murder follows parents' continued quest for justice

Almost three decades after Stephen Lawrence’s murder and 22 years after its drama The Murder of Stephen Lawrence followed his parents' quest for justice, ITV is revisiting the story of his tragic death and his parents, Doreen and Neville, continued campaign in the three-part drama Stephen.

Stephen is a sequel to the 1999 Paul Greengrass drama and picks up the story in 2006, 13 years after Stephen’s death.

Sharlene Whyte, Steve Coogan and Hugh Quarshie star in the drama series, which will focus on the story of Clive Driscoll, the lead detective, who managed to forge a friendship with the Lawrences over the years it took to achieve two convictions.

It is executive produced by Mark Redhead (Bloody Sunday, God on Trial, The Secret), who produced the original drama in 1999 and award-winning screenwriter Greengrass, who wrote and directed the original drama. Jimmy Mulville and Jed Mercurio are also executive producers. 

The production team are producing this sequel with the full support of the Lawrence family, most notably Baroness Doreen Lawrence and Dr Neville Lawrence, who have given the drama their blessing.  

Here is everything you need to know about Stephen…

Who is in the Stephen cast?

Charlene 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 and Golden Globe-nominated 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. 

Richie Campbell, Jorden Myrie, Sian Brooke and Adil Ray are also in the cast.

What part of the Stephen Lawrence story does the series cover?

Stephen will portray events from 2006, 13 years after Stephen’s death on the evening of April 22, 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 on 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. 

Director Alrick Riley said: “The case of Stephen Lawrence is a testament to the fortitude, persistence and determination of the Lawrence family. 

“These films will chart the successes, disappointments and the emotional toll they endured. It’s also the story of Clive Driscoll, the lead detective, who managed to forge a friendship with the Lawrence’s over the years it took to achieve two convictions.  It’s an honour to have the opportunity to tell their story.”

Watch the Stephen trailer

How to watch The Murder of Stephen Lawrence

The groundbreaking 1999 dramatisation of Neville and Doreen Lawrence’s struggle for justice is available to watch and stream now on BritBox.

Written and directed by Paul Greengrass, the single film starred Marianne Jean-Baptiste, Hugh Quarshie and Ashley Walters.

How to watch Stephen

Stephen begins at 9pm on Monday, August 30, on ITV. After the first episode has aired, all three parts will be available to watch on BritBox.