Wild Bill 2011

Bill Charlie Creed-Miles is paroled after serving an eight-year sentence for drug-related offences. Returning to his home in East London, Bill finds his two sons, Dean Will Poulter and Jimmy Sammy Williams, abandoned by their mother. Dean has dropped out of school to look after Jimmy, and makes it clear that Bill is not welcome in either his or Jimmy’s lives. Bill’s old criminal associates, Dickie Neil Maskell and Terry Leo Gregory, offer him a drug-dealing option, but Bill, now on licence, refuses to risk another prison sentence. He instead plans to go to Scotland to work on oil rigs.

During a parole meeting, Bill learns that his underage sons, without a legal guardian, will be surrendered to foster care, but he is reluctant to assume the responsibilities of fatherhood. Dean reveals that he has confiscated his own drugs and threatens to alert the police if Bill stays. Despite these hurdles, Bill begins legal work and tries to bond with Jimmy. Jimmy, however, has a tendency to skip school to act as a drug mule for Pill Iwan Rheon. Glen Andy Serkis, Bill’s relative, has his own pressures, as Terry threatens to undo Bill’s progress.

After a close call, Jimmy disposes of the drugs to avoid arrest, but this strains his relationship with Terry. Dean visits his love interest Steph Charlotte Spencer, and they nearly have sex before her father returns home. Jimmy, who had trailed Dean to Steph’s home, steals a large amount of cash from Steph’s kitchen to help settle his debt to Terry. Terry demands that Jimmy work off the remaining balance and threatens to burn down his flat if he refuses.

Steph realises the theft and accuses Dean, who suspects Jimmy. Roxy Liz White, one of Terry’s prostitutes, confides in Bill that Jimmy is under Terry’s influence. Bill confronts Jimmy and warns that continuing down this path will land him in prison. Bill returns the stolen money to Steph’s, who then reconciles with Dean. Terry sets up a meeting at a local pub; Bill believes that returning the drugs Jimmy had on him will sever Terry’s hold—yet Terry has other, darker plans, including keeping Jimmy bound to his obligations and even killing Bill if necessary.

Bill ends up back home with Jimmy, only to be intercepted by Glen. He reaffirms his commitment to a lawful life, even though the fight has already breached his parole. Realizing a prison return is possible, Dean, Roxy, Steph and Jimmy bid him farewell, with Dean telling him he is welcome back when he returns. In the police car, Bill asks the officer if he has children, a moment that makes him tear up and, for a moment, smile at the hope of a future return.