The internet has been left shocked after Stephen Graham described himself as ‘mixed race’ after winning an award.
Graham delivered an emotional acceptance speech at the Emmy Awards on Sunday night, earning widespread acclaim for his outstanding lead actor win for the Netflix drama Adolescence.
However, it was one particular aspect of his heartfelt words that sparked an unexpected reaction across social media platforms.
The 52-year-old Merseyside-born actor captivated audiences with his portrayal of Eddie Miller, the father of a teenage boy accused of killing a female schoolmate in the hard-hitting series.
The show proved to be a major success at the ceremony, scooping six trophies, including a historic win for 15-year-old Owen Cooper, who became the youngest-ever male Emmy winner for his supporting role.
Graham’s journey to Emmy success has been marked by remarkable versatility across both British and international productions.
After honing his craft at Liverpool’s Everyman Youth Theatre, he gained widespread recognition through Shane Meadows’ acclaimed 2006 film This Is England.
His subsequent career has seen him star in everything from gritty British dramas like Line of Duty and Boiling Point to major Hollywood productions.
The actor’s acceptance speech was deeply personal, paying tribute to his family and the community that shaped him, per the BBC.
He spoke movingly about his children, Grace and Alfie, and his wife, Hannah Walters, whom he described as his ‘rock,’ ‘world,’ and ‘soulmate.’
In particularly touching moments, he credited her with saving his life, referencing his previous openness about mental health struggles and a s**cide attempt in his early twenties.
Graham also honored his father’s role in nurturing his love of cinema, specifically mentioning trips to Quarry Green video shop in Kirkby that he described as kick-starting his ‘education in film.’
However, it was when Graham described himself during the speech that social media erupted with surprise.
“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,” he said, adding that being acknowledged by his peers was ‘the utmost humbling thing I could ever imagine in my life and it shows you that any dream is possible.’
The online reaction was immediate and widespread. One fan tweeted: “Stephen Graham is mixed race??? Let me hop over to Google!!”
Another wrote: “Stephen Graham being mixed race is the shock here.”
Google Trends data showed searches for ‘Stephen Graham mixed race,’ ‘Is Stephen Graham mixed race,’ and ‘Stephen Graham mixed race heritage’ skyrocketed in the hours following his speech.
Some social media users admitted their own surprise at the revelation.
“It’s funny seeing people’s reactions to finding out that Stephen Graham is part Black, but also Jamaican. I remember my reaction when I found out too,” one person commented.
Another observed: “Absolutely love him for mentioning his heritage at a time when racism and nationalism are on the rise. For anyone wondering, he’s a quarter Black and yes, those of us who are mixed can tell.”
Others used the moment to provide context about Graham’s background and Liverpool’s diverse heritage.
“He is from Liverpool, a long-standing port city, where many people have mixed race heritage. Why are some of you questioning that? He is one of the finest actors in the world, and a nice guy to boot. That’s all you need to know. We in UK are very proud of him!” one supporter wrote.
The surprise reaction prompted deeper discussions about identity and representation. As one user noted: “Those who are openly saying they only see a white man, are exactly why he said that he is of mixed race.”
Graham has, in fact, spoken previously about his mixed-race heritage and the challenges it presented during his childhood.
Born on August 3, 1973, in Kirby, Lancashire, his biological father Stephen Kelly is half Jamaican and half Swedish.
His parents separated when he was young, though Graham maintained a close relationship with his biological father, per Entertainment Daily.
When his mother, Mary, a social worker, remarried Mike Fazakerley in 1989, ten-year-old Graham gained not just a stepfather but a mentor who would profoundly shape his understanding of identity.
Mike, a former head paediatric nurse who is also mixed race with African heritage, became the person Stephen affectionately calls ‘Pops.’
In a 2019 appearance on BBC’s Desert Island Discs, Graham opened up about the complexities of growing up mixed race.
“There were times growing up where I would be slightly unsure of where I fitted in,” he explained. “Sometimes I’d be accepted by my white cousins, and then my Black cousins wouldn’t really, you know what I mean. So it was kind of like, where do I belong?”
He credited his stepfather with helping him navigate these challenges.
“He helped me see who I am and what I am is good enough. He helped me find my own way and I got that sense of self in many respects from my mother, finding your own way,” Graham said.
Speaking to The Guardian, he described Mike as a ‘huge role model’ who ‘taught me about identity and my history.’
The actor has also been candid about experiencing racist bullying during his youth.
He told The Sun: “I’m mixed race. As a kid, I was called horrible words that I don’t even want to say, and little monkey boy.”
On Desert Island Discs, he further revealed: “That n-word popped up when I was younger.”
These experiences profoundly impacted his approach to certain roles, particularly his performance in This Is England.
Graham recalled being deeply affected by reading the script, which triggered painful memories.
“It was life-changing. I lost myself quite a bit within that character,” he said. “I had moments of getting back to my apartment and phoning Hannah and crying my eyes out, and I drank. For me, that was where I really learned to dive into a character.”
