Stephen Grahamis undoubtedly one of the UK’s finest actors,known for his versatility, raw intensity, and remarkable ability to portray complex,morally ambiguous characters. Whether sympathetic or menacing, his performances are always layered with emotional depth, making him one of the most captivating actors of his generation. While his recent role inAdolescenceshowcases his ability totackle deep emotional subject matter,it was his earlier work inLine of Dutythat helped establish him as a commanding presence on screen. With a 96% rating on Rotten Tomatoes,Line of Dutyis widely regarded as one of the best police procedurals in television history, andGraham’s portrayal in Season 5 of John Corbettremains one of the show’s most compelling arcs.
Stephen Graham Plays a Cop Undercover in ‘Line of Duty’ Season 5
When audiences first meet Graham inLine of DutySeason 5, his character appears to be the leader of an Organized Crime Group, John Dayton, involved in large-scale robberies across London. In the season premiere, the OCG hijacks a police convoy, stealing seized drugs and killing three officers. On the other hand, AC-12’s Kate Fleming (Vicky McClure) and Steve Arnott (Martin Compston) investigate the attack, uncovering that an undercover officer working within the OCG has gone silent. After speaking to the sole surviving witness, they suspect the undercover officer is Lisa McQueen (Rochenda Sandall), as she spared the last witness.
By the end of the first episode,it’s revealed that the undercover officer isn’t McQueen— it’s John Dayton, aka John Corbett. What made Corbett so captivating was the gradual unraveling of his character. Initially portrayed as an antihero, he’s forced to blur the lines betweenhis undercover role and his dutyas a police officer. Unpredictable, sometimes frightening, and dangerous, Corbett’s arc keeps viewers on edge. Despite being deep undercover, he remains very much a family man, stealing moments to call his wife, Steph (Amy De Bhrún), and listen to his kids as they sleep. These rare moments of vulnerability showcase Graham’s ability tosoften his character and add emotional depth.
As the season progresses, Corbett takes a risky move, meeting with Arnott to convince him that he’s not a corrupt cop.Corbett shares intelligence about an upcoming raidon a police storage facility, revealing that a corrupt officer — possibly “H,” the elusive figure central to the series — will be involved. He believes “H” is Superintendent Ted Hastings (Adrian Dunbar) without disclosing the personal reasons tied to both their pasts. The tension between maintaining his cover while grappling with the corruption within the force added an edge to Corbett’s arc, giving Graham the opportunity todelve into the complexity of his character.
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‘Line of Duty’ Was the Perfect Series To Showcase Stephen Graham’s Range
Line of Dutyis known for its intricate plots and morally gray characters, and one of its greatest strengths is theopportunity it provides for actorsto come in for a season and showcase their range. Stars likeLennie James,Thandiwe Newton,Keeley Hawes, andKellyMacdonaldhave all delivered standout performances, andStephen Graham’s portrayal of John Corbett is no exception.His performance further cemented Graham’s reputation for playing characters with deep inner conflict — men whose moral compasses areas fractured as the world around them.
What makes Corbett such a compelling character is that he’s not simply a “good guy” gone bad.His choices are driven by trauma, circumstance, and survival in a world where it’s literally live or die.Graham portrayed Corbett with a rawness that made him sympathetic, even as his actions became more violent and unpredictable. The mix of tenderness and ruthlessnessmade his performance incredibly compelling,culminating in one of the most memorable arcs inLine of Duty— especially with the tragic end to his arc.
Whether in a police procedural likeLine of Duty, a deeply emotional family drama likeAdolescence, or an intense period drama likeBoardwalk EmpireandA Thousand Blows, Stephen Graham excels at bringing morally complex characters to life. In roles that could easily fall into one-note or tough-guy territory,he infuses each character with humanity and depth, making themfar more nuanced and compelling. If you haven’t yet watchedLine of Duty, especially Season 5, now is the perfect time to experience why his performance is so unforgettable.
The first 5 seasons ofLine of Dutyare available to stream on Hulu.
Line of Duty
