The Walk-In; The Big Blow Out

“I don’t know how ready you are to take on board more true-life tales of man’s inhumanity to man? But if you can bear a little more reality, Philomena writer Jeff Pope’s dramatisation of reformed neo-Nazi Matthew Collins’ efforts to infiltrate and derail one of the UK’s most threatening far-right groups is one of the best investments you can make with your dwindling resources. Collins is played by Stephen Graham with his customary unshowy commitment and aplomb, and convinces as utterly as ever.”
Lucy Mangan, The Guardian

“The main hurdle faced by Pope and his producers was that a story that principally followed the one-time far-right activist Matthew Collins, who is now working zealously to bring these people down, scarcely allowed for shades of grey. Pope’s skill lies in overcoming these potential obstacles to offer smart, naggingly compelling drama that is shot through with compassion.”
Ben Dowell, The Times

“It is well-acted, and efficiently explains how the ‘walk-in’ operation was run and the Rosie Cooper plot was exposed. But there simply isn’t enough tension here. The identity of the mole is revealed by episode two, we never feel he is in a great amount of danger, and it all builds to an underwhelming courtroom finale.”
Anita Singh, The Telegraph

“This gritty, disturbing drama manages to squeeze pathos out of one of the most troubling stories in recent British history. The Walk-In can be hard to watch, thanks to its unflinching portrait of British neo-Nazism, but there’s something deeply compelling about seeing an ordinary man getting sucked into, and pushed away from, these destructive ideologies.”
Nick Hilton, The Independent

“The Walk-In is a meticulously researched, eye-opening look at the changing face of white supremacy in Britain, underscored by the bitter irony that Muslim-hating groups are now borrowing from the Islamic extremist playbook, even dubbing themselves ‘white jihadists’. Thank heavens for people like Collins.”
Gerard Gilbert, The i

“Like a visit to the salon on an otherwise bad day, The Big Blow Out does the job. It’s the sleek bob of the format that, like hair in all the wrong places, will never stop growing. It’s silly, fun and, most importantly, sweet: the signature style of the company that also produces The Great British Bake Off, The Great British Sewing Bee and The Great Pottery Throw Down.”
Chitra Ramaswamy, The Guardian