Cillian Murphy Tackles Mental Health in New Netflix Drama Steve: First Look Released

Netflix has unveiled the first look at Steve, the upcoming drama starring Cillian Murphy as a reform school teacher grappling with his own mental health challenges. The film marks a poignant adaptation of Max Porter’s 2023 novella Shy, directed by Belgian filmmaker Tim Mielants (Small Things Like These), with a screenplay penned by Porter himself.

Set in the mid-1990s, Steve follows the titular headteacher, portrayed by Murphy, as he faces the daunting task of preserving a last-chance reform school threatened with closure. Amid this battle, viewers witness Steve’s internal struggle with his mental well-being, adding layers of complexity to his role as an educator determined to protect his students.

Alongside Murphy, the cast includes Jay Lycurgo as Shy, a troubled teenager navigating the turbulent crossroads between a painful past and an uncertain future. The story explores Shy’s efforts to reconcile his vulnerability with a dangerous impulse toward self-destruction and violence. Supporting roles are filled by Tracey Ullman, Simbi Ajikawo, and Emily Watson.

The film’s production team features Murphy himself, alongside Alan Moloney and Tina Pawlik, with Porter serving as an executive producer. Notably, the project resonates personally with Murphy, who is the son of educators—his mother a French teacher and his father affiliated with the Irish Department of Education—bringing authenticity to his portrayal.

Following his acclaimed Academy Award win, Murphy has remained busy. He appeared in Mielants’ Small Things Like These in 2024 and is set to reprise his iconic role as Thomas “Tommy” Shelby in the upcoming Peaky Blinders film adaptation.

Meanwhile, director Danny Boyle, known for 28 Days Later, revealed in recent interviews that Murphy will also star in the next installment of the 28 Days Later trilogy, titled The Bone Temple, slated for release in 2026. Boyle teased fans, humorously noting he’d be in trouble if he revealed too much about Murphy’s role.

With Steve poised to explore the complexities of education, mental health, and redemption, Cillian Murphy’s return to Netflix promises a powerful, emotionally charged performance that continues his streak of compelling roles.