Steve Coogan is starring in a new ITV drama about the investigation into Stephen Lawrence’s death airing later this month.

The Bafta award winning actor performs the role of DCI Clive Driscoll in Stephen, a three-part sequel to 1999's The Murder of Stephen Lawrence, portraying events from 2006.

Sharlene Whyte takes the role of Doreen Lawrence, with Hugh Quarshie reprising his performance of Neville Lawrence from the original award-winning drama.

Coogan, best known for his comic character Alan Partridge, told the BBC it was an "honour" to play DCI Driscoll.

This Is Local London: Sharlene Whyte as Doreen Lawrence with Hugh Quarshie as NevilleSharlene Whyte as Doreen Lawrence with Hugh Quarshie as Neville

"I don't often play nice people, so it was a nice change to play someone with a simple, unannounced integrity," he said.

"There are so many stories about cops who do a good job by breaking the rules. This was about one who did a good job by sticking to the rules in a quiet, disciplined and dogged way.

"It's a story we don't often hear, about decent people trying to do the right thing in the face of hatred and cynicism. If you do the honourable thing, that's always the best choice."

This Is Local London: Coogan as DCI Driscoll (ITV)Coogan as DCI Driscoll (ITV)

Stephen portrays events thirteen years after Stephen’s death on the evening of April 22 1993.

He was stabbed to death in a racially motivated attack whilst waiting for a bus in Well Hall Road, Eltham.

After the original investigation had failed to convict those responsible, a campaign for justice by the Lawrences led to a public inquiry which branded the Metropolitan Police institutionally racist, bringing about sweeping changes in the law and police practices.

However, six years on, no progress had been made in the case.

This Is Local London: Stephen and the Lawrence familyStephen and the Lawrence family

The drama tells the story of the family's ongoing struggled and how DCI Clive Driscoll puts together an investigation that finally, more than 18 years after his death, secured murder convictions.

Gary Dobson and David Norris were found guilty in 2012 under joint enterprise following a DNA breakthrough.

The original investigation into his death was hampered by institutional racism in the Met, and claims that corrupt officers had sought to protect Norris, whose father Clifford Norris was a notorious drug dealer.

Two of the three remaining suspects in the case, brothers Neil and Jamie Acourt, have since served jail time for drug dealing, while Luke Knight remains free.

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