Stephen Graham is one of Britain’s most brilliant actors, known for his gripping performances in This Is England, Line of Duty, and now Netflix's new series Adolescence. But behind the critically acclaimed roles lies a journey filled with challenges, perseverance, and unwavering support from his loved ones.
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With the help of his parents, wife, and close friends, he has built an impressive career while staying true to his roots.
A childhood fueled by dreams and supportive parents
Stephen Graham’s love for acting started at a young age. He grew up with his mother and stepfather, Mike—whom he fondly calls 'Pops'. He also had a strong bond with his biological father, also named Stephen who played a pivotal role in nurturing his passion for acting, supporting him every step of the way, as per Mail Online.
In a heartfelt interview on Capital Breakfast, Graham shared how his father’s encouragement meant everything to him. He said:
I had posters on my wall, of Taxi Driver, and different actors that my dad had got me.
The proudest moment came when he told his father he was working on a film again. He revealed:
I went "dad, you'll never guess who, I'm going to be working with" and he's like "who?" and I went "Mary's asked me to do a film again" and he's like "that's amazing son!"
Overwhelmed with emotion, Graham added that both his parents supported him 'throughout everything.' Reflecting on his father’s unwavering belief in him, he said:
Sometimes all it takes is one person doesn't it. To help you achieve your goal, or to believe in the dream you have. It takes that one person and my dad was that person. And my mum.
Battling challenges: Dyslexia, depression, and career struggles
While Graham had unwavering support from his parents, his journey has not been without obstacles. He has openly spoken about his struggles with dyslexia, which made learning scripts a challenge. Thankfully, his wife, Hannah Walters, has been his rock, reading scripts for him and helping him choose the right roles. He shared at a Bafta Sessions panel:
I’m dyslexic so I struggle. My missus actually reads the script and says whether or not I’m doing it.
She’s made some good choices. I have to read it and read it and read it, then make it look like it’s the first time I’m saying it.
Graham also faced intense personal struggles. The emotional depth of his role inThis Is England left a lasting impact, leading him to use alcohol to cope. He shared that the script brought him back to the painful memories of racial abuse he suffered as a kid. He said:
I'm mixed race. As a kid, I was called horrible words that I don't even want to say, and little monkey boy.
The actor also revealed to The Sunday Times that he had suffered from 'really bad depression' in his twenties, and that he tried to take his own life once. What made it worse for the actor was the consequences of using method acting, a technique he learnt in drama school, which caused an 'induced pychosis'. He explained:
It was like an induced psychosis. Basically, I had a breakdown. I was a young man, 20 years old. I'd just left home. My little brother had just been born.
My mum and dad had lost a little boy at birth three years before. My nana had passed away when I was 14. I was in the big wide world on my own and it wasn't easy.
But even when his career hit a rough patch and he struggled to land roles for months, Graham refused to give up. He admitted:
For about eight months, I couldn’t get an audition. I almost packed it all in. I was going to be a youth worker.
Being an actor comes with fame and money, but it evidently also has a fair share of baggage. Graham's journey in the industry has never been easy but luckily he had his wife to help him out.
Inside Stephen Graham's married life
Graham’s personal life has been marked by deep connections, especially with his wife, actress and producer Hannah Walters. The couple met while training at Rose Bruford College of Theatre & Performance, starting as best friends before realising their love for each other.
We were bezzie mates. Which is the best way, isn’t it? After a while, we just thought, “This is daft”, do you know what I mean? “We like each other, we should get together.”
They married in 2008 and have two children, Alfie and Grace. Walters has not only been his biggest supporter in life but also in his career. The couple has worked together on multiple projects, including Boiling Point and This Is England. Graham said:
I watched Hannah back in the day at drama school and always thought she was brilliant.
Graham has rarely spoken about his family life but he once told The Times:
We have ups and downs, of course. Luckily, though, the relationship we both have with our children is beautiful – but it takes work.
In 2021, Walters told The Mirror:
I want to kill him at times… but I just adore him.
Beyond his own family, Graham has shown an incredible level of compassion for others. During the filming of This Is England, he developed a close relationship with his young co-star, Thomas Turgoose. When Turgoose’s mother passed away, Graham, along with co-star Shane Meadows, promised to look after him. Turgoose shared:
I spent a lot of time with Shane Meadows and Stephen Graham. They agreed between them that if they didn’t get on with my dad, or if they didn’t see my dad fit to bring me up, they was gonna adopt me.
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Sources used:
Daily Mail: Adolescence star Stephen Graham breaks down in tears during interview as host says: "we didn't want to make you cry!"
The Sun: Inside Stephen Graham’s struggle after hit role in This Is England, from alcoholism, depression and attempted suicide
Metro: Inside Stephen Graham’s private life with wife he’s acted alongside 13 times
The Independent: Adolescence star Stephen Graham offered to adopt child co-star after mother’s death
