What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedThis Is England
Shane Meadows · Film · 2007
If you loved This Is England, start with Skins (Bryan Elsley, 2007) — a series on the same thread. Below: 4 books, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to This Is England across media.
You were drawn to This Is England by its unflinching portrayal of how vulnerable youth navigate tribal belonging and identity.
Books on the same thread
Atonement
Ian McEwan · Book · 2007
Explores: Guilt and Atonement, Childhood Trauma, Class Conflict.
Like the visceral emotional landscape of This Is England, this story masterfully explores how childhood trauma and class conflict permanently alter the trajectory of a young person's life.
Ghost World
Daniel Clowes · Book · 2001
Shares a thread with This Is England: Loss of innocence.
If the social alienation in This Is England resonated with you, this graphic novel captures that same sharp, bittersweet transition from childhood to the complexities of the adult world.
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time
Mark Haddon · Book · 2003
Explores: Autism, Family Secrets, Problem Solving.
Much like the troubled protagonist in This Is England, Christopher struggles to navigate a world that feels hostile, relying on his own internal logic to survive complex family secrets.
The Outsiders
S. E. Hinton · Book · 1967
Explores: Social Class, Teenage Angst, Violence.
The intense loyalty and social divisions found in This Is England are reflected here, as young people define themselves through group identity while facing the harsh realities of violence.
Series on the same thread
Skins
Bryan Elsley · Series · 2007
Explores: Teenage Angst, Friendship, Identity.
This series mirrors the raw energy of This Is England, tracking a group of teenagers as they grapple with identity and rebellion while living through their own messy, formative years.
Peaky Blinders
Steven Knight · Series · 2013
Explores: Post-WWI Trauma, Ambition, Class Conflict.
Fans of the historical grit in This Is England will appreciate this epic, which explores how family loyalty and ambition drive men to seek power within a rigid class structure.
The Virtues
Shane Meadows · Series · 2019
Shares a thread with This Is England: Social Realism.
Directed by the same visionary behind This Is England, this drama continues the exploration of childhood trauma and the difficult, painful path toward personal redemption and healing.
It's a Sin
Russell T Davies · Series · 2021
Shares a thread with This Is England: Coming-of-Age Drama.
This chronicle of friendship during a turbulent decade echoes the emotional stakes of This Is England, showing how historical shifts impact the personal lives and identities of young people.
Podcasts on the same thread
This American Life
This American Life · Podcast · 2026
Explores: The human condition, Personal narrative, Social observation.
The human-centered storytelling in this podcast captures the same authentic, gritty spirit found in This Is England, focusing on personal narratives that reveal the complexity of the human condition.
To Be A Boy
Podcast
Explores: raising boys, toxic masculinity, male friendships.
Because This Is England exposes the challenges of growing up, you will value this exploration of modern boyhood and the societal pressures that shape young men today.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is This Is England based on a true story?
Yes, This Is England is based on the personal experiences of director Shane Meadows. The film depicts a troubled boy growing up in England in 1983 who finds a sense of belonging and family among a group of skinheads he meets after a fight at school.
What is the setting of This Is England?
This Is England is set in 1983. The story follows a troubled boy who encounters a group of skinheads while walking home from school. These individuals become his close friends and function as a family unit for him throughout the duration of the film.
How does the plot of This Is England begin?
The plot of This Is England begins with a troubled boy walking home from school following a fight. During his journey home, he encounters a group of skinheads. These individuals eventually become his new best friends and provide him with a sense of family.
Who directed This Is England?
This Is England was directed by Shane Meadows. The 2007 movie is based on his own experiences growing up in England. It tells the story of a young boy who finds a surrogate family among a group of skinheads he meets after a school fight.