Acclaimed actor Stephen Graham humbly referred to himself as “just a mixed-race kid from Kirkby” upon receiving an Emmy Award for his compelling performance in the Netflix drama, *Adolescence*.
During his acceptance speech, the 52-year-old, who hails from the Merseyside town, reflected, “This kind of thing doesn’t happen to a kid like me.”
*Adolescence* saw Graham portray Eddie Miller, the father of a teenage boy implicated in the death of a female classmate.
The award for outstanding lead actor was bestowed upon Graham, who also expressed gratitude to his children and his wife, Hannah Walters, describing her as his “rock” and “soulmate.”
The series earned six awards at the ceremony, including outstanding supporting actor, which went to Owen Cooper. At 15, Cooper became the youngest male Emmy winner for his breakthrough role in *Adolescence*.
Graham’s heritage is mixed, with Jamaican roots on his father’s side.
In a 2019 appearance on BBC’s *Desert Island Discs*, Graham shared that he felt “slightly unsure where I fitted in” growing up. He credited his stepfather, who is also mixed race, with educating him about his cultural heritage.
Graham recounted how his stepfather, affectionately known as “Pops,” championed his acting aspirations and regularly took him to Quarry Green video shop in Kirkby, which he identifies as the genesis of his love for film.
After honing his skills at the Everyman Youth Theatre in Liverpool, Graham achieved widespread recognition for his performance in Shane Meadows’ 2006 film, *This Is England*, before embarking on a successful career in both film and television on both sides of the Atlantic.
Graham has also been candid about his past struggles with suicidal thoughts and how the support of his family, friends, and love helped him “slowly come round to the understanding that it was okay; life was worth living.”
In his Emmy acceptance speech, delivered in Los Angeles, Graham stated: “This kind of thing doesn’t happen to a kid like me. I’m just a mixed race kid from a block of flats in a place called Kirkby.
“So for me, to be here today, in front of my peers and to be acknowledged by you is the utmost humbling thing I could ever imagine in my life and it shows you that any dream is possible.
“There’s too many people to thank but I am going to thank my friends and family. Without you, none of this is possible.
“Thank you for helping me with something that I can’t do on my own.
“Jack, everyone, Phil, everyone. I want to bring it to my dad for taking me to the video shop when I was a kid and kick-starting my education in film – Quarry Green video shop.
“My kids Grace and Alfie and my adorable wife, who I love with every ounce of my being – you are my rock, you are my world, you are my soulmate and you know and I know, without you, I would be dead.
“So from the bottom of my heart I love you with everything I have. Namaste everyone, thanks very much.”
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