EXCLUSIVE: Liverpool-born star Stephen Graham is in talks with acting legend Danny Dyer to make a hard-hitting drama which will rival his huge Adolescence series

Stephen Graham is in discussions with award-winning star for a new project(Image: AP)

Danny Dyer and Stephen Graham are set to work on a gritty new drama to rival hit Netflix series Adolescence. The powerhouse pair are putting their heads together for a show based on issues affecting society today, we can reveal.

“It’s a gritty new drama,” says an insider. “They are currently thrashing out what they want to do. It’ll be in the vein of Adolescence. Something unflinching and moving.” Adolescence, co-created and written by This Is England favourite Stephen, has broken records and been the most watched series of the year. It explores misogyny among teenage boys and sparked conversation about online safety, even being discussed in Parliament.

Stephen Graham co-created and starred in Netflix hit Adolescence(Image: NETFLIX)

Rivals star Danny, 47, and Stephen, 51, last worked on 2009 film Doghouse, a British slapstick horror, together and have stayed good pals. The source said they’re planning a double date with their wives, Jo Dyer and Hannah Walters.

Danny previously called on Stephen to get him involved in one of his projects. Praising his hit Netflix series, Danny said: “It’s such an important subject but the fact they’re doing it one take. As an actor and being part of that world I find it f****** incredible. So, Steve [Graham], you’ve got to roll me into something. I want a bit of this!” Former EastEnders star Danny described his longtime pal as a “brilliant man, brilliant actor, kind soul”.

Stephen and Danny starred in cult comedy horror Doghouse and became firm friends(Image: Publicity Picture)

Former EastEnders star Danny picked up his first TV Bafta award in May for his part in Sky’s Mr Bigstuff. He’s been enjoying a purple patch in his career, recently filming the second series of Rivals, based on Jilly Cooper’s racy novels.

Four-part series Adolescence was the brainchild of Stephen and writer Jack Thorne. It sees Liverpool-born Stephen as father Eddie Miller, who watches armed police burst into his home to arrest his 13-year-old son Jamie, played by newcomer Owen Cooper. It turned him into an overnight star.

It made history as the first streaming show to top the UK most-watched charts, with 66.3 million views in two weeks. It also went to number one in 71 countries around the world, including the US, Canada, Germany, France and Australia. It has been nominated for 13 awards at the Emmys.

Stephen and wife Hannah are a dream team, setting up Matriarch Productions who made Adolescence (Image: AP)

It was created by Stephen and Hannah’s company, Matriarch Productions and is also behind Disney series A Thousand Blows When the couple set up it they were determined the company would embody the working-class values they grew up with. They even paid for the rent on the production team “because they wouldn’t have been able to afford it”.

Stephen shared a rare insight into his relationship with his wife Hannah Walters in an interview with GQ, revealing that she reads scripts first for him because he is dyslexic, stating they have a “great little partnership”. “She’s me best mate for one,” he said when I ask about their relationship. “She’s funny as f***. I find her dead saucy. She’s amazing. She’s the light of my life. Do you know what I mean? We’re a great little partnership. It really works.”