A short history of film, social realism and raw talent

At the heart of the new film Lollipop is a central performance from Posy Sterling as Molly.

Her depiction of the pain and frustration of navigating the fractured system as she fights to be reunited with her children following a short spell in prison is as powerful and poignant as any seen on the big screen in recent years.

The range Sterling exhibits as Molly veers from frustration and impotent fury at the system she is forced to navigate through brief moments of joy and hope, before crashing back into despair, is beautifully played. 

This should be a career-making film for Sterling. She previously impressed bringing chaos and charisma to a role in the Clean Break co-production of Dixon and Daughters at the Dorfman Theatre. But this is a bigger stage – and Sterling fills it so well. 

It’s not the first time social realist films and television have been a showcase for new working-class acting talent.

Read more:

• New film Lollipop powerfully lays bare the ‘inhumane’ way mothers are cut off from their children
• The problem with UK’s film industry? It’s easier to win an Oscar if you went to private school
• Gillian Anderson, Jason Isaacs and The Salt Path author Raynor Winn on homelessness and human spirit

Hayley Squires (main image)

Since starring in Ken Loach’s 2016 masterpiece I, Daniel Blake, Squires has established herself
as one of the country’s finest actors with major roles in Steve McQueen’s Blitz, Channel 4’s Adult Material, and Collateral, Great Expectations and Inside No. 9 on the BBC. But it was her role as Katie Morgan, particularly the power of that devastating scene at the food bank in I, Daniel Blake, that first caught the eye. 

Thomas Turgoose and Vicky McClure

Turgoose had never acted before he auditioned for This Is England. His performance as young Shaun Fields was a revelation, and, with a little guidance from co-star Stephen Graham, Turgoose has gone on to roles in Intergalactic, Looted and Swimming with Men. 

After impressing as Lol in This Is England, McClure took centre stage in the follow-up, This Is England 86 for Channel 4. A well-earned Bafta followed along with starring roles in Line of Duty, Trigger Point and Without Sin.

Bukky Bakray

Sarah Gavron’s 2019 film Rocks starred 19-year-old Bakray as a teenager in Hackney fighting to avoid being discovered by social services after her mother left her and her younger brother. A powerhouse of a performance, in a film celebrating teenage girls and their resilience, potential and ability to find joy in the toughest of situations. Bakray is currently filming alongside Idris Elba, Cynthia Erivo and Viola Davis in US fantasy film Children of Blood and Bone.

Martin Compston

Ken Loach has a long history of finding new acting talent – and Compston had never acted before he was cast in Sweet Sixteen. Compston starred as Liam in the 2002 film, winning huge acclaim. Red Road and The Damned United showed this was no fluke, and he’s gone on to star in The Wee Man, Line of Duty, Traces and Mayflies. 

Katie Jarvis

When she was street cast to star in Andrea Arnold’s 2008 film Fish Tank, Jarvis was just 16. Her performance alongside Michael Fassbender was a revelation – by turns vulnerable and volatile. A long-running role in EastEnders followed. 

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