Matt Stokoe as Raoul Moat in The Hunt for Raoul Moat
© ITV

The Hunt for Raoul Moat viewers saying same thing about new ITV drama

Matt Stokoe and Lee Ingleby star in the series

TV and film writer
April 17, 2023

ITV's chilling new true-crime drama, The Hunt for Raoul Moat, made its debut on Sunday night and viewers are saying the same thing about it. 

The three-part series, which will be aired over three consecutive nights, tells the story of Britain's biggest manhunt, told through the eyes of those who sought to apprehend a violent murderer.

WATCH: The trailer for ITV's chilling drama, The Hunt for Raoul Moat

In 2010, Raoul Moat was released from prison following a four-month sentence for an assault. Two days later he shot and wounded his ex-girlfriend, Samantha Stobbart, and killed her new boyfriend, karate instructor Christopher Brown.

He went on to shoot Police Constable Rathband, permanently blinding him, before going on the run. A week-long hunt for Moat followed the horrific events, ending with a six-hour-long stand-off with the police. 

© ITV

Matt Stokoe plays Raoul Moat in the drama

Taking to Twitter, viewers reacted to the drama, with some viewers claiming that the actor playing Moat, Matt Stokoe, looked nothing like the real killer. One person wrote: "The actor playing #TheHuntforRaoulMoat looks nothing like him. Slighter build, a totally different shape, face and hair," while a second added: "Fair to say this actor guy clearly doesn't look like Raoul Moat."

MORE: The Hunt for Raoul Moat – meet the cast of ITV's true crime drama

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A third person tweeted: "Thought it was well acted but the actor who played Moat didn't look anything like as menacing as the actual killer. I didn't find him convincing as a psycho murderer," while another agreed, adding: "The actor doesn't look very much like Raoul Moat."

Other viewers were compelled by the opening episode, however, and also took to social media to praise the series. 

© ITV

Lee Ingleby stars as police officer Neil Adamson

One person wrote: "#TheHuntforRaoulMoat absolutely gripping drama!! The man was an absolute psychopath!!!" while another added: "Gripping drama about what were horrific events! #TheHuntforRaoulMoat."

A third person tweeted: "This is very good so far. #TheHuntforRaoulMoat."

The Hunt for Raoul Moat continues on ITV on Monday 17 April at 9pm. The full box set is available to stream on ITVX.

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