…Researched and contributed by Solomon Thomas.
Actor Matt Stokoe, best known for his roles in Misfits, Jamestown and Bodyguard, has taken on the biggest role of his career so far, portraying Raoul Moat in ITV’s new real-life drama, The Hunt For Raoul Moat.
The Durham-born actor transformed himself to play the man who, in 2010, shot three people, killing one, and went on the run for over a week.
Stokoe had to bleach his eyebrows, have a Mohican haircut and go on a punishing diet to recreate Moat’s appearance after he was released from prison.
Stokoe’s ability to transform himself can be seen in his past roles such as Gawain in Netflix’s Cursed and the BBC’s period drama The Village.
He also starred in Sky One’s Jamestown, where he met his fiancée Sophie Rundle, who has starred in Peaky Blinders, Happy Valley, and Gentleman Jack.
The couple got engaged in 2019 and welcomed a son in 2021.
Speaking about taking on the role of Moat, Stokoe said he was “frightened” and playing the murderer took him out of his comfort zone.
He recalled being approached for the role and how it was the most frightening thing he had ever experienced.
He went away and learned the limited material he had been given and gave an interpretation of how he remembered Moat based on half an hour’s worth of online searching.
A couple of weeks later, he was offered the role.
Stokoe emphasized that the drama is not about Moat as the main character, but the victims.
The purpose of the drama is to bring the victims to the forefront, as they were highlighted briefly at the time of the events in 2010.
Moat was the story as far as the tabloids were concerned, and the trauma the victims went through got lost in that.
This was also happening at a time when social media was still in its infancy.
There was a collective mania when Paul Gascoigne’s name came into the mix, and it became an online craze.
Stokoe kept coming back to the word “misogyny” and pointed out the comparison between Moat’s opinions on women and ownership and masculinity, and those of some other men today in the news.
The Hunt For Raoul Moat starts on Sunday, April 16 at 9 pm on ITV and ITVX.
The next two episodes will air on subsequent evenings, Monday, April 17 and Tuesday, April 18, at the same time.
Commentary:
Matt Stokoe has taken on a daunting challenge in portraying Raoul Moat, a man who committed atrocious crimes in 2010.
In order to do so, Stokoe underwent a complete physical transformation, including changes to his appearance and diet.
The actor’s ability to transform himself can be seen in his past roles and has allowed him to take on challenging characters.
The drama is not about Moat as the main character, but rather the victims of his crimes.
The purpose of the drama is to bring the victims to the forefront and highlight the trauma they went through.
Stokoe draws attention to the role of social media and the impact it had in spreading information about the case.
His comments on misogyny and its development online are particularly relevant in today’s world, where social media has become an integral part of our lives.
The Hunt For Raoul Moat promises to be a gripping and thought-provoking drama that will shed light on a dark chapter in British history.