Stephen Graham’s Unforgettable Journey From Rejection to Netflix Fame
Stephen Graham, now celebrated for Netflix’s Adolescence, opens up about the tough months he faced after his breakout in This Is England, revealing the surprising struggles behind his rise to stardom.
Few actors have experienced a year quite like Stephen Graham. The acclaimed performer, known for his dynamic presence and sharp wit, found himself at the center of a global phenomenon with the Netflix series Adolescence. What started as a modest project set in everyday British life—think garden centers and high school hallways—quickly exploded, becoming the second most-watched show in Netflix’s history, even surpassing Stranger Things. The show’s unique approach, filmed in a single continuous take, and a gripping lead performance by Owen Cooper, turned it into a must-watch event for audiences everywhere.
Early Struggles After a Breakout Role
Despite his recent triumphs, Graham’s path to stardom was anything but smooth. After his powerful turn in Shane Meadows’ This Is England—a film that delved into 1980s skinhead culture and later inspired three TV spin-offs—Graham found himself unexpectedly sidelined. He shared,
“From me being given that opportunity by Shane to do that role in This Is England. I couldn’t get a job after that for about eight to nine months. Once that was released, I just could not get a job. It was impossible.”
Even with the film’s critical and commercial success, doors didn’t immediately open for him.
Building a Lasting Career
Fortunately, Graham’s earlier work in films like Gangs of New York with Martin Scorsese helped him weather the dry spell. By 2009, he was back in the spotlight, landing a role alongside Johnny Depp in Public Enemies and joining the cast of HBO ’s Boardwalk Empire, where he earned back-to-back Screen Actor ’s Guild awards. From there, he kept busy, balancing roles in major movies like Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides with standout TV appearances, including a memorable run on Line of Duty. His collaboration with Scorsese continued with The Irishman, a Netflix-backed epic starring Robert De Niro and Al Pacino.
Recent Projects and What’s Next
This year, Graham took on the role of Bruce Springsteen’s manager in the biopic Deliver Me From Nowhere and wrapped filming on the highly anticipated Peaky Blinders movie with Cillian Murphy. His historical boxing drama, A Thousand Blows, produced by Disney, is also set to return for a second season in early January. After years of perseverance and hard work, Graham’s journey stands as a testament to resilience in the face of rejection and the unpredictable nature of show business.