Ray Winstone 'comes full circle' in The Sweeney

Ray Winstone 'comes full circle' in The Sweeney
Ray Winstone 'comes full circle' in The Sweeney (Image credit: PA)

Ray Winstone admits his role in the movie remake of The Sweeney brings him 'full circle' after he appeared in the original TV show more than 30 years ago. The actor plays Flying Squad cop Jack Regan, the role made famous by John Thaw, in the film which co-stars musician-turned-actor Ben Drew. Drew, better known as Plan B, plays George Carter, who was played by Dennis Waterman in the original show. Ray said: "My first ever job was on The Sweeney. "I was an extra in an episode called Loving Arms in the Red Cow in Hammersmith, looking at John Thaw and Dennis Waterman so it's come full circle for me." He said it was a 'very difficult' film to make because the original show was so 'iconic', but praised his co-star Drew. Ray said: "I saw him in Harry Brown and it was kind of my idea to bring him in because he looks like he can kick a door down and he can actually act as well. "He writes songs, he directs films, he writes films, you know. "I think it's kind of what it is today. These kids come along and it's not jack of all trades, they are actually good at what they do. "You kind of go along as an older actor and you learn something yourself."

Patrick McLennan

Patrick McLennan is a London-based journalist and documentary maker who has worked as a writer, sub-editor, digital editor and TV producer in the UK and New Zealand. His CV includes spells as a news producer at the BBC and TVNZ, as well as web editor for Time Inc UK. He has produced TV news and entertainment features on personalities as diverse as Nick Cave, Tom Hardy, Clive James, Jodie Marsh and Kevin Bacon and he co-produced and directed The Ponds, which has screened in UK cinemas, BBC Four and is currently available on Netflix. 


An entertainment writer with a diverse taste in TV and film, he lists Seinfeld, The Sopranos, The Chase, The Thick of It and Detectorists among his favourite shows, but steers well clear of most sci-fi.