If you’re in awe of Helen Mirren’s scheming matriarch Maeve Harrigan in MobLand, we’ve unearthed another crime drama in her back catalogue that deserves your attention. In Brighton Rock, she takes on the role of Ida, a formidable café owner who takes on Brighton’s criminal underworld. It’s a must-watch for MobLand fans – and the good news is you can watch it tonight.
The book adaptation, which first arrived in theatres in 2010, takes us to 1960s Brighton and follows dangerous gangster Pinkie (Sam Riley) whose path crosses with naive young waitress Rose (Andrea Riseborough) after a shocking crime. Ida starts to suspect something is very wrong, and begins a one-woman pursuit to bring down the town’s criminal underworld.
Intrigued? Here’s everything you need to know about Brighton Rock, including the plot, cast and all the inside details about this series.
What is Brighton Rock about?
Adapted from Graham Greene’s 1938 novel, Brighton Rock, is a great British thriller film set in the 1960s where mods clashed with rockers . The drama centres around the seaside town’s gritty underworld and follows prolific gangster Pinkie (Sam Riley) who kills rival Fred Hale (Sean Harris) in a revenge attack. He seduces young waitress Rose (Andrea Riseborough) into a romance since she has evidence linking him to the murder. By ensuring Rose is under his spell, she won’t go to the police – but he could also kill her before she gets the chance to.
Rose’s formidable boss Ida (Helen Mirren), who was also friends with Hale, grows suspicious of cunning charmer Pinkie and sets out on a mission to protect her employee. But, Pinkie is dangerous and conniving – and her suspicions turn into a deadly game of psychological cat-and-mouse. Will Ida save Rose from the monster she’s married to before it’s too late?
Who’s in the cast of Brighton Rock?
The cast of Brighton Rock includes:
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- Sam Riley (Maleficent, SS-GB) as Pinkie Brown
- Andrea Riseborough (Oblivion) as Rose
- Andy Serkis (Animal Farm) as Mr Colleoni
- John Hurt (1984) as Phil Corkery
- Helen Mirren (MobLand) as Ida
- Sean Harris (The Stranger) as Hale
- Phil Davis (Whitechapel) as Spicer
- Nonso Anozie (Sweet Tooth) as Dallow
- Craig Parkinson (Line of Duty) as Cubitt
- Steve Evets (Rev) as Mr Wilson
- Maurice Roëves (The Dark) as Chief Inspector
Is there a trailer for Brighton Rock?
Yes, you can watch the trailer for Brighton Rock below.
Is Brighton Rock any good?
In one word – yes! Brighton Rock is a dark, moody and stylish gangster thriller, so if you’re a fan of crime dramas such as Peaky Blinders and MobLand, it’s well worth having on your radar. Sam Riley’s Pinkie is truly chilling, but Helen Mirren is the biggest draw as Ida. She’s not a criminal mastermind like Maeve, but she’s equally as unforgettable as a one woman tour de force against Brighton’s underworld.
How can I watch Brighton Rock?
You can watch Brighton Rock now on BBC iPlayer.
What other Helen Mirren dramas can I watch now?
For something more thrilling, nail-biting war drama Eye In The Sky introduces us to Colonel Katherine Powell (Helen Mirren), who’s a military officer based in the UK leading a top-secret drone mission to capture terrorists in Nairobi, Kenya. However, the plan takes a dramatic turn, and she’s forced to make a life-or-death call. Eye In The Sky is available to watch now on BBC iPlayer. If you’re a fan of period dramas, we’d suggest The Queen , which follows Queen Elizabeth II (Helen Mirren) in the days following the death of Princess Diana in 1997, as Tony Blair (Michael Sheen) attempts to get the royal family to react publicly as the nation entered a state of mass mourning. The Queen is available to watch now on ITVX.
