Whyte will play Doreen Lawrence alongside Hugh Quarshie who will reprise his role as Neville Lawrence, while Steve Coogan will lead the investigation into the murder of Stephen as DCI Clive Driscoll.

Alrick Riley will direct the series written by Frank Cottrell Boyce and Joe Cottrell Boyce, while Paul Greengrass, who wrote and directed the original in 1999, will serve as an Executive Producer.

Riley said: “The case of Stephen Lawrence is a testament to the fortitude, persistence and determination of the Lawrence family.

“These films will chart the successes, disappointments and the emotional toll they endured. It’s an honour to have the opportunity to tell their story.”

Stephen will pick up the case in 2006, 13 years after Stephen’s racially motivated murder in Eltham on the evening of 22 April 1993.

Doreen and Neville knew the identity of their son’s killers, but the original investigation failed to convict them.

The consequent campaign for justice led to a historic public inquiry which branded the Metropolitan Police institutionally racist and brought about sweeping reforms to the law and police practices. Yet six years on from the inquiry no developments had been made in the case.

The series will recount their struggle for justice, which, with the help of DCI Driscoll, was finally successful in 2012 when two of the gang members who killed Stephen were convicted.

Producer Madonna Baptiste said: “The Lawrences’ campaign for justice totally transformed attitudes to race and equality in the UK and it’s an honour to be able to help tell what is an untold chapter in their story.  

“Current events only highlight how relevant and important Stephen’s case remains.”