Craig Fairbrass films: what to watch after Rise of the Footsoldier

If you’ve worked through all seven Footsoldier films, you’re not short of options. Craig Fairbrass has played Pat Tate since 2007, but his career takes in plenty more British crime films, and a few surprises. Here’s where to go next.

Villain (2020)

The obvious next stop. In Villain, Fairbrass plays Eddie Franks, who leaves prison after ten years determined to go straight and rescue his East London pub, The Green Man. His younger brother has let the place rot and owes money to a local crime family. Philip Barantini directs, in his feature debut.

A sequel is on the way. Villain: The Next Chapter started production in London in August 2026, with Fairbrass back as Eddie. Neil Linpow makes his directing debut, George Russo and Greg Hall wrote the script, and Vertigo Releasing has the UK rights.

Avengement (2019)

Avengement is the one for fans of a proper fight. Scott Adkins plays Cain Burgess, a scarred killer out for revenge, and Fairbrass is his brother Lincoln, a ruthless crime boss. Jesse V. Johnson directs.

St George’s Day (2012)

Frank Harper directs and stars in St George’s Day, with Fairbrass as his cousin Ray Collishaw. The pair run one of London’s top firms until they lose a drug shipment belonging to the Russian Mafia, and plan a heist in Berlin to put things right.

London Heist (2017)

This revenge thriller is a more personal project. Fairbrass plays the lead, Jack Cregan, alongside Steven Berkoff. He also co-wrote the film and was an executive producer, and it won him Best Actor at the 2016 Marbella International Film Festival.

Muscle (2019)

Gerard Johnson’s thriller is Fairbrass playing against the usual type: Terry, a hands-on personal trainer who gradually takes over the life of a jaded office worker, played by Cavan Clerkin. Don’t confuse it with Carlton Leach’s memoir Muscle, the book behind the original Footsoldier film.

A Violent Man (2022)

A prison thriller written and directed by Ross McCall, with Fairbrass as Steve Mackelson. McCall also turns up in Retribution, so there’s a Footsoldier link behind the camera too.

The Hooligan Factory (2014)

For something lighter, The Hooligan Factory is a spoof of the football firm films, with Fairbrass in a one-scene cameo as Mickey. It was directed by Nick Nevern, who went on to direct Origins, Vengeance and Retribution.

Outside the British crime film

Fairbrass has a long record beyond this corner of cinema:

• Cliffhanger (1993): his first Hollywood role, as Delmar, opposite Sylvester Stallone.
• EastEnders (1999 to 2001): a regular as Dan Sullivan.
• The Bank Job (2008): Nick Barton, opposite Jason Statham.
• Call of Duty: the voice of Gaz in Modern Warfare (2007) and Simon “Ghost” Riley in Modern Warfare 2 (2009).
• One Piece (2023): the chef Zeff in Netflix’s live-action series.
• Boat Story (2023): Guy, in the BBC crime thriller.