If you’re obsessed with just about everything Stephen Graham puts his name to (us too), we've got some good news for you. The Adolescence star is taking on what might well be his toughest role yet in a brand-new crime drama - and critics are already raving about it. Animol sees Graham step into the shoes of Claypole, a welfare officer at a young offender institution - and with his Adolescence co-star Ashley Walter serving as director, you can expect something very special indeed.
Behind the walls of the youth detention centre, we meet teenager, Troy (Tut Nyuot), who's sent there for conspiracy to commit murder. Over the course of the film, we witness his 65-day ordeal and his struggle to survive the violent and coercive environment he finds himself in. Set for release later this year, the film has already had its world premiere at the Berlin International Film Festival - and has quickly won over an army of fans.
Ahead of its release in October, here’s everything you need to know about Animol, including the cast, plot and release date.
What is Animol about?
The British film is a raw portrayal of the realities of surviving young offenders’ institutions. Director Ashley Walters has shared how his own past and time in a young offenders' institution inspired him to tell the brutally honest story. Tut Nyout plays Troy, a teenager who has just arrived at the centre on remand for conspiracy to commit murder.
He quickly forms a bond with shy teenager Krystian (Vladyslav Baliuk), but any illusion of safety is shattered when a volatile prisoner forces him to complete a dangerous task for him. And life only gets harder for Troy as he navigates the power struggles, violence, and politics of the institution, with empathetic welfare officer Claypole (Stephen Graham) getting involved after noticing Troy fall in with the wrong crowd.
Walters told Sky of his upcoming film: “Animol is deeply personal to me. It explores the struggle of being your authentic self in a world that often pressures you to conform - one of life’s greatest challenges. At its heart, this is a story about survival and the safety found in true connection. It’s not about the ‘what’; it’s about the ‘why.’ I couldn’t be more excited to bring my debut feature to life with such an incredible team.”
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Who's in the cast of Animol?
The cast of Animol includes:
- Stephen Graham (Adolescence, A Thousand Blows) as Claypole
- Tut Nyuot (The Long Walk, Steve) as Troy
- Vladyslav Baliuk as Krystian
- Sekou Diaby (What It Feels Like for a Girl) as Dion
- Sharon Duncan-Brewster (The Swarm, Years and Years) as Joy
- Ryan Dean (Ackley Bridge) as Mason
Is Animol any good?
Yes - at least it is according to early reviewers. When it premiered at Berlin International Film Festival earlier this year, viewers praised it for being “tense and engaging” and a “modest but trenchant drama”. While prison dramas have been done many times before, the sheer talent of the stars, including Stephen Graham, is undoubtedly what makes this one stand out from the crowd.
How can I watch Animol?
Animol will premiere in UK cinemas on Friday 23rd October.
What other Stephen Graham dramas can I watch now?
Animol isn’t the first time Stephen Graham and Ashley Walters have worked together. In 2025, the duo starred in Adolescence, which tells the tragic story of Jamie Miller (Owen Cooper) - a 13-year-old boy accused of murdering a girl from his class. You can watch Adolescence now on Netflix. We'd also recommend Time. The hit crime drama stars Graham as prison officer Eric McNally with Sean Bean giving an equally brilliant performance as guilt-ridden prisoner Mark Cobden. When one of the most dangerous inmates identifies his weakness, Eric faces a difficult choice between his values and his family. Time is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.
