The actor also paid tribute to his wife actress Hannah Walters, and said without her he “would be dead”
Stephen Graham accepts the Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie award for “Adolescence” onstage during the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards at Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles, California(Image: Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Stephen Graham delivered an emotional speech after winning an Emmy award. The 52-year-old won Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series for Netflix’s Adolescence.
The actor won two Emmy awards on Sunday, September 14, one for his acting and another for his writing on the innovative series. Stephen, from Kirkby, reflected on his working-class background to being on the Hollywood stage in his acceptance speech, referencing his town and the video shop he used to visit.
He also paid an emotional tribute to his wife, actress Hannah Walters, and said without her he “would be dead”. In his speech, he said: “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 upmost humbling thing I could ever imagine in my life. It just 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 kickstarting my education in film – Quarry Green video shop – my kids Grace and Alfie.
“My adorable wife, who I love with every ounce of my being, you are my rock, you are my world, you are my soulmate.
Stephen Graham, winner of Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie and Outstanding Writing for a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie for “Adolescence,” poses in the press room during the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards (Image: Amy Sussman/Getty Images)
“You know and I know, without you, I would be dead. So from the bottom of my heart I love you with everything that I have. Namaste everyone, thank you very much.”
The actor was also recognised for his writing on Netflix‘s smash hit drama Adolescence, which he co-created with Jack Thorne, and starred in. The Netflix series, which follows a 13-year-old boy accused of murdering a teenage girl, was praised for its portrayal of violence against women and its impact on communities.
The series, which starts with the arrest of 13-year-old Jamie Miller, played by newcomer Owen Cooper, was quickly seen at the top of the most-watched programmes on the streaming website globally and prompted questions in Parliament following its release earlier this year.
The limited series, starring Stephen as Jamie’s dad, examines so-called incel culture, which has been blamed for misogyny online, and the use of social media in bullying.
Stephen Graham accepts the Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie award for “Adolescence” onstage during the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards at Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles, California(Image: Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Owen Cooper also made history on Sunday night, by becoming the youngest male to win an outstanding supporting actor Emmy. Owen, who was just 14 at the time of filming and had never acted before, saw off competition from Javier Bardem (Monsters: The Lyle And Erik Menendez Story), Peter Sarsgaard (Presumed Innocent) and his own Adolescence co-star Ashley Walters to win his Emmy.
He said in his acceptance speech that he was “nothing three years ago”. Owen added: “It’s just so surreal. Honestly, when I started these drama classes a couple of years back, I didn’t expect to be even in the United States, never mind here.
“So I think tonight proves that if you listen and you focus and you step out of your comfort zone, you can achieve anything in life.”