Netflix film Steve starring Cillian Murphy and based on the novel by Max Porter is one of the most anticipated new releases of the year.
The acclaimed drama film about the headteacher of a school for boys with behavioural issues has finally been released to the streamer today (Friday, 3rd October).
Murphy portrays the titular educator, who forms a bond with troubled teen Shy (played by Jay Lycurgo) while also dealing with his own mental health issues.
The film has received strong reviews so far, with The Guardian calling Murphy’s performance “outstanding”, while other critics have noted its hard-to-swallow subject matter.
Aside from Murphy and his other recognisable co-stars, which include Tracey Ullman and Emily Watson, viewers may be wondering where they’ve seen newcomer Lycurgo before.
The 27-year-old will likely be already familiar to many streamers as he’s had roles in a number of high-profile TV and film projects before co-starring with the Irish Oscar-winner.
English actor Lycurgo grew up in Croydon and began his acting career with a number of minor roles in some iconic British shows.
He made his on-screen debut in an episode of the long-running BBC One series Doctors in 2019 before portraying a character called Marcus in Michaela Coel’s acclaimed drama I May Destroy You the following year.
Lycurgo also had a minor role in the Portuguese film Listen and appeared in an episode of the Fox series War of the Worlds.
In 2021, the young actor took on his first major recurring role in the HBO Max and DC Universe series Titans, portraying Tim Drake, the third iteration of Batman’s sidekick Robin.
Just a year later, he would go on to appear in another Batman project, 2022’s The Batman starring Robert Pattinson, as a young gang member at the start of the comic book blockbuster.
2022 saw the actor taking on more high-profile roles, landing a main part in BBC One sitcom Cheaters as well as leading the Netflix series The B****** Son & The Devil Himself as Nathan Byrne, based on the supernatural Half Bad series of books by Sally Green.
He described the series as an “X-rated Harry Potter”, likening the action-packed fantasy drama to Misfits, Twilight and Skins.
In 2024, he continued his supernatural streak with roles in Ben Wheatley’s zombie drama Generation Z and Sky’s vampire film The Radleys, starring Kelly MacDonald.
After Steve, Lycurgo has at least three more films lined up, including the highly anticipated Peaky Blinders sequel, The Immortal Man, in which he’ll reunite with his co-star Murphy as Tommy Shelby. His role in the film is currently unconfirmed.
He’ll also be appearing in the epic romance film Eternal Return, starring Naomi Scott and Kit Harington, and will play Oli in the adaptation of Enda Walsh’s novel I See Buildings Fall Like Lightning. This will also star Anthony Boyle, Joe Cole and Daryl McCormack.
Steve is available to stream on Netflix.