Two generations of British crime cinema meet on the big screen for the first time

The two most recognized faces of British crime cinema are coming together for the big screen after many years.

Ray Winstone, who became one of the iconic actors of tough British crime films with productions like Sexy Beast, Nil by Mouth, and Face, will share the lead roles in the crime thriller Going Under with Danny Dyer, who embodies the similar screen identity of the next generation with films like The Football Factory and The Business.

The film, which recently completed shooting, will be the first cinema production featuring Winstone and Dyer together. The duo had previously appeared in the 2006 Channel 4 television film All in the Game.

Ray Winstone will portray a gangster on the trail of one last deal

At the center of Going Under is Riley, who is trying to complete his last big deal before fully withdrawing from the crime world.

Riley, played by Ray Winstone, will work alongside his long-time right-hand man Don to finalize his plan. While initial information about Don's position in the story, played by Danny Dyer, has been revealed, the nature of his relationship with Riley and why the deal is in jeopardy has not yet been disclosed.

The detailed plot summary of the film is kept under wraps. However, director David Beton noted that the production is not solely based on a crime confrontation; it is a personal story that deals with family, loyalty, love, and how far people are willing to go for those they care about.

This statement suggests that Riley's attempt at a “last job” may be connected not only to money or his position in the crime world but also to his efforts to protect the people around him.

Ray Winstone and Danny Dyer together for the first time in cinema

The most striking aspect of Going Under is not just the presence of two famous actors in the same cast.

Ray Winstone and Danny Dyer represent two distinct eras in British crime cinema. Winstone brought themes of violence, regret, and a crisis of masculinity to the screen with heavier and more threatening characters in films like Nil by Mouth and Sexy Beast. The BFI highlights that Winstone's performance in the lead role of Nil by Mouth, directed by Gary Oldman, is central to the film's shocking realism.

On the other hand, Danny Dyer became one of the standout actors of British crime films, particularly in the 2000s, which intertwined street culture and hooliganism. The BFI evaluates Dyer's role as a football hooligan seeking excitement during violent weekends in The Football Factory within the context of films depicting working-class men of the era.

The “experienced gangster and his right-hand man” dynamic in Going Under directly benefits from the screen identities that the two actors have developed over the years. The comparison between Winstone's older and heavier gangster figure and Dyer's more dynamic, streetwise criminal character could form the core acting conflict of the film.

This assessment is an editorial inference based on the announced premise of the film and the actors' previous roles. The production team has yet to reveal how the relationship between Riley and Don will develop.

David Beton sits in the director's chair

Going Under is directed by David Beton. The screenplay was co-written by Beton and David Garlick.

Beton stated that he grew up watching films of Ray Winstone and Danny Dyer and that working with both actors on the same project has been a long-held goal of his. The director referred to Winstone and Dyer as “two giants of British cinema.”

The producers of the film include James Harris, known for Obsession, as well as Ed Caffrey, Dominic Burns, and Charley McDougal. Essential Film Group is handling worldwide sales, while Vertigo Releasing has acquired the distribution rights for the UK and Ireland.

Who is in the cast of Going Under?

Award-winning actress Lesley Sharp will join Ray Winstone and Danny Dyer in the film. According to the director, Sharp will portray a character named Gilly.

The cast also includes Mickey Gooch, Daniel O'Reilly, Mirabel Stuart, Parker Sawyers, and Ed Kingsley. The roles of the characters in Riley's last deal have not yet been disclosed.

The production team has also released the first image showing Ray Winstone and Danny Dyer together. However, the trailer for Going Under and the exact release date have not yet been shared.

When will Going Under be released?

Vertigo Releasing will release Going Under in UK and Ireland cinemas in spring 2027. There is currently no announcement regarding the film's distribution in Turkey or its international release schedule.

British crime cinema has long told stories of gangsters returning for “one last big job.” The difference with Going Under will be its reimagining of this familiar tale through the actors who have stamped their mark on two different eras of the genre.

Ray Winstone will try to complete his last deal, while Danny Dyer will strive to stand by his side.