Summary
-
Steve stars Cillian Murphy as a reform school headteacher confronting collapse and trauma.
-
The film adapts Max Porter’s acclaimed novella Shy, with an intimate ensemble cast.
-
Supporting players like Jay Lycurgo, Tracey Ullman, and Emily Watson bring balance to Murphy’s raw central turn.
Tim Mielants’ Steve (2025) is one of the year’s most affecting dramas, blending institutional decay with deeply personal battles. Adapted from Max Porter’s novella Shy, the Netflix-backed film unfolds over a single day at a last-chance reform school in 1990s England. At its heart is Steve, played by Cillian Murphy, who tries to hold his school together while reckoning with childhood scars and addiction. Surrounding him is a rich cast of staff and students, all caught in the storm.
Below, we break down the Steve cast, their roles, and why this ensemble makes the film such an emotional powerhouse.
Who Does Cillian Murphy Play In Steve?
Murphy leads the film as Steve, the reform school headteacher whose fragile equilibrium is tested when funding threats and personal demons converge. Still glowing from his Oppenheimer Oscar win, Murphy delivers a performance critics have called “heartbreaking” and “humble,” channeling both quiet authority and self-doubt.
This marks Murphy’s first Netflix lead role and also his debut as a producer under his Big Things Films banner. His portrayal grounds the story, carrying the desperation of a man who wants to save others but can barely save himself.
READ MORE: The Smashing Machine (2025) Cast and Character Guide
Who Plays Shy In Steve?
Opposite Murphy is rising star Jay Lycurgo as Shy, the troubled teenager who mirrors Steve’s inner turmoil. Shy oscillates between fragility and violence, offering the film’s most volatile energy.
Lycurgo, known for Supacell, The Sandman, and I May Destroy You, reportedly landed the role with a devastating audition tape. His performance has been singled out as “raw and unforgettable,” giving the film its youthful heartbeat and a devastating counterpoint to Murphy’s weary adult perspective.
READ MORE: Bone Lake (2025) Cast and Character Guide
Steve (2025) Full Cast & Character Guide
Here’s a closer look at the ensemble that brings Max Porter’s reform school world to life:
| Actor/Actress | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cillian Murphy | Steve | Headteacher battling to save his school while confronting inner demons. |
| Jay Lycurgo | Shy | Troubled teen mirroring Steve’s fragility and violent impulses. |
| Tracey Ullman | Amanda | Deputy headteacher, Steve’s grounded ally with wry humor. |
| Emily Watson | TBA (Supporting Faculty) | Brings gravitas; likely a senior authority figure. |
| Simbi Ajikawo | Shola (Teacher) | Compassionate staff member offering warmth and contrast. |
| Douggie McMeekin | Andy | Overworked teacher embodying systemic burnout. |
| Roger Allam | TBA (Trustee/Politician) | Antagonistic presence, intensifying external threats. |
| Ben Lloyd-Hughes | TBA (Teacher) | Adds texture to staff’s professional-personal struggles. |
| Youssef Kerkour | TBA (Supporting) | Brings intensity and gravitas to ensemble dynamics. |
| Araloyin Oshunremi | TBA (Student) | Adds youthful volatility to the classroom environment. |
| Priyanga Burford | TBA (Supporting) | Nuanced supporting role; strengthens institutional backdrop. |
| Ruby Ashbourne Serkis | TBA (Supporting Faculty) | Adds generational depth; known from The Strays and Rogue Heroes. |
What makes Steve hit so hard is how the ensemble reflects the reform school’s chaotic environment. While Murphy anchors the narrative, it’s Tracey Ullman’s wry steadiness, Emily Watson’s gravitas, and Simbi Ajikawo’s compassion that make the world feel lived-in.
READ MORE: Good Boy Ending Explained: Why Did Todd Have to Die in Good Boy?
When And Where Can You Watch Steve?
Steve premiered at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival to standing ovations and began its limited theatrical run on September 19, 2025. It quickly followed with a global Netflix release on October 3, 2025, where it has since climbed critical charts. With a 92% Certified Fresh score on Rotten Tomatoes, it’s already being discussed as one of the most powerful drama releases of the year.
Stay updated with the Latest News and Stories, follow us on our social media platforms.
You can follow us on:
Stay Connected!! Join our Whatsapp Channel
