In a remarkable turn of events, British actor Stephen Graham is enjoying newfound acclaim thanks to his role in the Netflix hit series Adolescence, which has garnered 24 million viewers in its first week. The 51-year-old actor plays the father of a teenage boy accused of murder, tackling the pressing issue of toxic masculinity in contemporary society. The show's impact has been so significant that even Sir Keir Starmer has endorsed a campaign to show the series in schools, underscoring its cultural relevance.
Graham's influence extends beyond Adolescence; he has also inspired the cast of BBC's new drama This City Is Ours, which premiered on March 23, 2025. Set in Liverpool, this eight-part series follows a crime family embroiled in a power struggle over a missing drugs shipment. The show has been dubbed the 'Scouse Sopranos' and features a talented cast, including James Nelson-Joyce, who plays Michael Kavanagh, the right-hand man of the drug lord Ronnie Phelan, portrayed by Sean Bean.
Nelson-Joyce, who is 35 years old, refers to Graham as his "older brother" and credits him with kickstarting his career. In a recent interview, he expressed his admiration for Graham, stating, "He is all about encouragement. Stephen likes to pass on advice. He is a massive inspiration, and I have been fortunate to work with him. He told me once that he's always just a phone call away." This sentiment reflects the close-knit community of actors from Liverpool who share a deep respect for Graham's contributions to the industry.
The connection between Graham and Nelson-Joyce runs deep, as the two have worked together on multiple projects, including the Disney+ drama A Thousand Blows and the BBC prison drama Time. In Time, Graham portrayed prison guard Eric McNally, while Nelson-Joyce played Johnno, a violent inmate. The series also starred Sean Bean as inmate Mark Cobden, adding another layer of talent to the production.
Graham's influence on the Liverpool acting scene is palpable. His wife, Hannah Walters, co-founded Matriarch Production, which played a pivotal role in the making of Adolescence. The couple's commitment to elevating working-class narratives in British television is evident in their collaborative efforts.
Reflecting on his journey, Nelson-Joyce recounted his first encounter with Graham at a Liverpool Nando's, where Graham was with his wife. "I went over and said 'I'm a big fan, I've just left drama school, and you've been really inspiring,'" he recalled. The warmth of Graham's response, coupled with his willingness to support emerging talent, has left a lasting impression on Nelson-Joyce.
In addition to the personal connections, This City Is Ours has quickly become a talking point among viewers, who have praised its gripping narrative and robust character development. The series, filmed entirely in Liverpool over 17 weeks, has created 300 local jobs thanks to an investment from the Liverpool City Region's Production Fund. With a current IMDb rating of 8.4/10, it is being compared favorably to other successful dramas like Peaky Blinders and Kin.
However, not all feedback has been positive. Some viewers have criticized the show for its accents, noting that several cast members are not from Liverpool. For instance, while actors like Nelson-Joyce and Sean Walters hail from the city, others, including Sean Bean and Julie Graham, do not. One viewer commented, "The female characters would have been better played by Scouse actors. Accents are dreadful," highlighting a common concern among audiences regarding authenticity in regional portrayals.
Moreover, comparisons to iconic series such as The Sopranos have sparked debate. Some fans believe that certain plot elements, like a last-minute aborted assassination, echo previous storylines from the acclaimed show, leading to mixed reviews. One viewer remarked, "For goodness sake, anyone comparing this to The Sopranos is seriously mistaken. There are some good performances, but it's so one-dimensional."
Sean Bean's character, Ronnie Phelan, faces an early demise in episode two, a development that has drawn both shock and expectation from fans familiar with the actor's history of on-screen deaths. This trend has led to comments like, "Old Sean Bean never lasts long in much these days, does he?" Despite this, Bean himself has spoken highly of the series, calling it "one of the most enjoyable series I’ve been involved with" and expressing his desire for it to become a classic piece of drama.
In the wake of the show's success, many viewers are left wondering about the future of This City Is Ours. Star James Nelson-Joyce has expressed his hopes for a second season, but he remains cautious, noting, "I don't want to get my hopes built up. Imagine believing it's going somewhere and, for whatever reason, it didn't happen. I'd be gutted because I love doing this show." If renewed, the next season could potentially arrive in early summer or autumn of 2026, providing ample time for the creators to develop the storyline further.
As audiences continue to binge both Adolescence and This City Is Ours, the connection between the two shows and their stars highlights a broader narrative about the importance of representation and authenticity in British television. With Graham's influence on rising talents like Nelson-Joyce and the ongoing conversation about regional accents and storytelling, the landscape of British drama is evolving.
In summary, while This City Is Ours has garnered praise for its gripping storytelling and strong performances, it also faces scrutiny over authenticity and comparisons to other series. As the industry navigates these challenges, the impact of actors like Stephen Graham, who champion working-class narratives, remains crucial in shaping the future of television.
