From his unforgettable turn as a distraught father in Adolescence, to his heartbreaking performance in the care home saga Help, we can always rely on Stephen Graham to move us to tears. On the lookout for a brilliant drama, we delved through his back catalogue and unearthed a moving true story – Young Woman And The Sea. This time, the actor had us in happy tears, and you can watch the 10/10 drama tonight.
The biopic, which first hit cinemas in 2024, follows Trudy Ederle (Daisy Ridley), who defied the odds to become the first woman to swim the English Channel. After overcoming various setbacks, including health issues and sexism, Trudy’s fate changes when she meets the formidable and encouraging swimmer Bill Burgess (Stephen Graham), who becomes her mentor.
Here’s everything you need to know about Young Woman And The Sea, including the plot, cast and how to watch it.
What is Young Woman And The Sea about?
The film, which first hit cinemas in 2024, tells the remarkable true story of Trudy Ederle (Daisy Ridley), the first woman to swim the English Channel. Trudy was born in New York City in 1905 to immigrant parents and grew up in a time when women were actively discouraged from competing in sport.
Sexism isn’t the only hurdle Trudy had to overcome. She also suffered a severe bout of measles as a child, and her mother Gertrude (Jeanette Hain) is the one who encouraged her to take up swimming. Why? She was horrified by the news of a ferry capsize in which hundreds of women died due to their inability to swim.
Trudy’s talent is recognised and she earns a place on the Olympic swimming team for the Paris 1924 Games. Despite impressing spectators and winning medals, she decides she wants to take on an even bigger challenge – and swim the English Channel. But it’s no easy feat – her first attempt fails miserably. She continually butts heads with her strict coach Jabez Wolffe (Christopher Eccleston), who demands she’s pulled from the water despite her pleas that she could continue.
But she doesn’t give up. She decides to face the powerful tides and unpredictable currents again to make history. For the second go, she recruits Bill Burgess (Stephen Graham), whose warmth and encouragement help her thrive. Burgess himself completed the 21-mile crossing in 1911 after multiple failures. He’s a true eccentric and free spirit, which is evident from his preferred way of bathing – he loves to swim in the nude.
Who’s in the cast of Young Woman And The Sea?
The cast of Young Woman And The Sea includes:
- Daisy Ridley (Cleaner) as Trudy Ederle
- Tilda Cobham-Hervey (Burn) as Meg Ederle
- Stephen Graham (The Virtues, Help) as Bill Burgess
- Kim Bodnia (Killing Eve) as Henry Ederle
- Christopher Eccleston (Unchosen) as Jabez Wolffe
- Glenn Fleshler (Clean) as James Sullivan
Is there a trailer for Young Woman And The Sea?
You can watch the trailer for Young Woman And The Sea below.
Is Young Woman And The Sea any good?
Yes, it’s a seriously inspiring and uplifting biopic. As ever, Stephen Graham is exceptional, bringing his trademark warmth to the eccentric Bill Burgess. Daisy Ridley is equally impressive as Trudy, brilliantly capturing the blood, sweat and tears it took to take on the huge challenge.
How can I watch Young Woman And The Sea?
You can watch Young Woman And The Sea on Disney + now.
What other Stephen Graham dramas can I watch now?
If you’re after another emotional (albeit sadder) watch, we’d point you towards The Virtues. The drama introduces us to Joseph (played by Stephen), who’s distraught after learning his ex and son are moving to the other side of the world. After two years of sobriety, he decides to turn to the bottle. The next day, he decides to board a boat from Liverpool to Ireland to confront his repressed childhood trauma. You can watch The Virtues now on Channel 4. For a series where Stephen plays sleuth, try White House Farm. The series based on harrowing real-life events follows DCI Thomas ‘Taff’ Jones (played by Stephen), who’s the lead detective investigating a mass family murder in an Essex farmhouse in 1985. You can watch White House Farm now on ITVX.