Exclusive: First look as trailer for Newcastle crime film A New Breed of Criminal drops

The trailer for Steve Wraith-fronted film A New Breed of Criminal, whose story has its heart in the North East, has dropped today.

The film's script was written by local actor and well-known Newcastle United fan Wraith during lockdown and is based on the book Operation Sayers.

The story follows the crimes of reformed Elswick criminal Stephen Sayers, played by Wraith, who grew a reputation as one of the region's most feared crime families of the 1990s.

A New Breed of Criminal was shot across Tyneside and in Tenerife last year.

The trailer features some familiar faces including Michael McKell (We Will Rock You) who plays Vic, Nicholas Ball (Hazell, Eastenders) as Charlie Kray, Eddie Webber (Rise Of The Footsoldier 3 and The Business), as Ed, Lesley Saint John (Auf Wiedersehen Pet) as Aunt Vera and Tony Hodge (Byker Grove) as Uncle Albert. The trailer also introduces Alfie Dobson as John Henry Sayers and Melvyn Barnes as Michael.

In a recent interview Director Richard John Taylor said: "I have been involved in a few crime films over the years so this script really appealed to me on so many levels. It really is 'Get Carter' meets 'Rise Of The Footsoldier'. There was a real camaraderie onset and we were blessed with really talented actors and wonderful locations."

Stephen Sayers himself worked as an executive producer on the film, overseeing the re-telling of his life.

Stephen said: "It has been a great experience for me being on set and seeing the script come to life. The actors have really captured the characters and I think it will surprise a lot of people."

A release date for the film has yet to be confirmed but the distributor has confirmed it will hit screens this summer.