Adolescence star Stephen Graham’s journey all started with one of his school teachers before going on to becoming one of the nation’s most recognised actors. Here, we take a look back at his career
Since the release of Netflix’s Adolescence, many fans have recognised one of the lead actors but haven’t quite placed where they’ve seen him before.
Stephen Graham, who plays the father in the show everyone has been talking about for weeks, has been a familiar face on our screens for decades. His career began in the late 90s, with the star landing a role in Coronation Street in 1999, playing Lee Sankey, a drug dealer.
However, his big break came in the 2000 film Snatch, where he played Tommy, a wannabe thug. This role brought him significant recognition and paved the way for more immense opportunities.
In 2002, Stephen appeared alongside Hollywood icon Leonardo Dicaprio in Gangs of New York, playing Shang, a member of the Dead Rabbits Gang.
It was this show which earned him the nickname “Animal” on set, after a near-accident on a golf cart with Dicaprio and actor Alec McCowen – an incident that almost resulted in injury to Leonardo.
One of his most iconic roles, particularly for the British audience, was in the cult classic This Is England. His portrayal of Combo, a troubled and violent character, earned him recognition for his emotional depth and complexity. It also led to several award nominations for Stephen, showcasing his ability to dive into complex characters.
READ MORE: ‘I’m a child psychologist – hidden meanings behind chilling moments in Adolescence’
Over the years, he has continued to impress viewers, especially with his role as Al Capone in Boardwalk Empire, where his portrayal of an infamous Chicago gangster saw him gain international recognition.
Another standout role in his career was his appearance in The Irishman, where the film connected him to some of Hollywood’s biggest names, working head-to-head with film legends like Robert De Niro and Al Pacino
Beyond film and TV, Stephen’s career also includes notable music video appearances, most famously in Arctic Monkeys’ hit ‘When the Sun Goes Down.’ His role in the video for the Sheffiled-born indie band added another dimension to his career.
While his career has been centred mostly around dramas, he keeps his personal and work lives very close by frequently working alongside his wife, actress Hannah Walters. The pair met during their early acting careers in This is England and have since married and had two children together.
The couple have starred alongside each other 13 times in film and TV, with his wife playing as a teacher in the hit show Adolescence. Stephen has recently opened up about their relationship, revealing his wife helps him with work beyond the screen. “I’m dyslexic, so I struggle.” he shared
READ MORE: Stephen Graham starred alongside his wife 13 times and no one noticed
“My missus actually reads the script and says whether or not I’m doing it. She’s made some good choices.”
Their strong partnership, on and off screen, reflects the dedication that has been consistent in Stephen’s career.
However, before his career began, his teacher played a significant role in encouraging him to pursue acting. He was inspired by his drama teacher, and he recognised his talent from early on.
He has opened up about how the teacher’s guidance and belief in him helped him build the confidence he has today, reports Shortlist
“We were mostly kids from council estates, and many of us had never done theatre before. In a similar way to my parents, he made us believe we could do whatever we wanted. We thought we were changing the world, but we weren’t – we were just making pieces about society, the rainforest, that kind of thing,” he said
His career has been far from ordinary. He has starred in major films like Pirates of the Caribbean and appeared in TV dramas. The star has cultivated a career that is respected and admired.
His versatility as an actor and willingness to take on challenging roles are just some of the reasons why he continues to be one of the most admirable talents in the industry today.