‘Stephen’ recap: What happened in Episode 1?

ITV’s follow-up to The Murder of Stephen Lawrence began tonight.

The original groundbreaking television movie was made in 1999, and the new three-part sequel portrays events from 2006, thirteen years after Stephen Lawrence’s death in 1993 in a racially motivated attack whilst waiting for a bus in southeast London.

Stephen has been directed by Paul Greengrass (The Bourne Ultimatum), and is executive produced by Line of Duty creator Jed Mercurio.

Sharlene Whyte (Small Axe) takes on the role of Doreen Lawrence, with Hugh Quarshie (Holby City) reprising his performance of Neville Lawrence.

Steve Coogan (Stan & Ollie) plays DCI Clive Driscoll, who led the investigation into the murder of the Lawrences’ beloved son, Stephen.

The cast also includes Richie Campbell (The Frankenstein Chronicles), Jordan Myrie (Dancing in the Dark), Sian Brooke (Sherlock), and Adil Ray (Citizen Khan).

Watch the trailer:

Here’s a plot recap for the first episode, which aired on ITV at 9pm on Monday 30th August 2021:

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.