By Lucas Hill-Paul

Copyright belfastlive

The Netflix film Steve, featuring Cillian Murphy and based on Max Porter’s novel, is one of the most eagerly awaited new releases of the year. The highly praised drama about a headmaster at a school for boys with behavioural problems has finally landed on the streaming platform today (Friday, 3rd October). Murphy embodies the eponymous educator who forms a connection with troubled teenager Shy (portrayed by Jay Lycurgo), whilst also grappling with his own mental health struggles. The film has garnered positive reviews thus far, with The Guardian lauding Murphy’s performance as “outstanding”, while other critics have highlighted its challenging subject matter. Aside from Murphy and his other well-known co-stars, which include Tracey Ullman and Emily Watson, viewers might be curious about where they’ve seen newcomer Lycurgo before, reports the Express . The 27 year old will likely already be known to many streamers, having had roles in several high-profile TV and film projects prior to co-starring with the Irish Oscar-winner. English actor Lycurgo, who hails from Croydon, began his acting career with a number of minor roles in some iconic British shows. He made his screen debut in an episode of the long-standing BBC One series Doctors in 2019, before playing a character named Marcus in Michaela Coel’s acclaimed drama I May Destroy You the following year. Lycurgo also had a small role in the Portuguese film Listen and appeared in an episode of the Fox series War of the Worlds. In 2021, the young performer secured his first major recurring part in the HBO Max and DC Universe series Titans, taking on the role of Tim Drake, the third version of Batman’s sidekick Robin. Just twelve months later, he would feature in another Batman project, 2022’s The Batman starring Robert Pattinson, as a young gang member at the opening of the comic book blockbuster. 2022 witnessed the actor securing more prominent roles, bagging a main part in BBC One sitcom Cheaters as well as headlining the Netflix series The B****** Son & The Devil Himself as Nathan Byrne, adapted from the supernatural Half Bad book series by Sally Green. He characterised the series as an “X-rated Harry Potter”, comparing the action-packed fantasy drama to Misfits, Twilight and Skins. In 2024, he maintained his supernatural momentum with parts in Ben Wheatley’s zombie drama Generation Z and Sky’s vampire film The Radleys, featuring Kelly MacDonald. Following Steve, Lycurgo has at least three additional films scheduled, including the eagerly awaited Peaky Blinders sequel, The Immortal Man, where he’ll rejoin his co-star Murphy as Tommy Shelby. His part in the film remains unconfirmed. He’ll also feature in the epic romance film Eternal Return, starring Naomi Scott and Kit Harington, and will portray Oli in the adaptation of Enda Walsh’s novel I See Buildings Fall Like Lightning. This will also feature Anthony Boyle, Joe Cole and Daryl McCormack. Steve is available to stream on Netflix.