Stephen

This is a good tv series spanning 3 episodes which kept it nice and tight with minimal padding . Steve Coogan and supporting cast are excellent. Only gripe is that there are a few too many scenes with Doreen Lawrence making speeches.

Unlike the current amateur shambles that is Vigil, ITV offers this excellent absorbing based on life tale. STEPHEN is all the thing that Vigil isn't. It is well acted, has a good script and having an even greater gap, is really well directed.

Here all the characters behave in a believable manner and don't have predictable outbursts of mock outrage and unconvincing shrieking.

The pace is never forced, but unfolds naturally allowing all of the actors to have mature characters that drew you in, again the complete opposite of the frankly pathetic BBC series , you care about these people.

Top stuff ITV, you have shown the BBC how to produce good drama.

A detective (Steve Coogan) reopens the 13 year old case of the racially driven murder of Stephen Lawrence, after 2 previous failed attempts at a conviction.

Coogan is excellent, dodgy cockney accent aside. As are the actors playing Stephen's parents.

I was surprised by how engaging this show was, and uplifting too with Stephen's parents behaving with such dignity. This is no dull police drama. Yes, the focus is on the evidence but it works very well.

Overall, a really strong script and cast with plenty of emotion and heart. Definitely worth a watch.

Coogan is very solid in this well made series on a landmark event in British policing history. Very powerful with strong supporting cast. Well worth watching.

Brilliant drama. So well done. Need to see more from Steve Coogan.