Stephen Graham couldn’t wait to call home to Liverpool and tell his step-dad about his Emmys success.
The actor’s Netflix series Adolescence cleaned up at Sunday night’s Emmy Awards, winning eight gongs including Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series and turning Stephen into a three-time winner for acting, writing and producing the series.
An ecstatic Stephen was seen Facetiming his stepfather Mike Fazakerley, surrounded by his co-stars as they celebrated their wins outside the Netflix party.
‘We did alright dad!’ the emotional actor shouted above the noise of his friends and wife Hannah Walters cheering.
Speaking exclusively to Daily Mail when Adolescence streamed to record numbers back in March, Mike gushed about his close relationship with Stephen.
Mike married Stephen’s mum Mary in 1989 when he was just ten – and was with her until her death in 2022.
Stephen Graham couldn’t wait to call home to Liverpool and tell his step-dad about his Emmys success
Stephen has previously spoken about his close bond with his stepfather Mike Fazakerley (Stephen and Mike are pictured with Graham’s mother Mary and his half-brother Nathan Fazakerley)
Mary and the actor’s biological dad Stephen Kelly separated when he was young and whilst he still has a good relationship with his dad, he formed a close bond with Mike when he moved into the family home.
Speaking from the Liverpool home he shared with Mary, Mike told the Daily Mail earlier this year: ‘I am highly proud of what he’s achieved in his career and highly proud of what he’s doing now with Adolescence.
‘I watch all his work and I’ve watched Adolescence. Stephen is brilliant, he is a true talent. Unquestionably one of this country’s finest.’
Mike, who worked as a mechanic before training as a paediatric nurse, added poignantly of his late wife: ‘It’s just sad that his mum isn’t here to wallow in Stephen’s glory, that’s the only downside.’
While his stepfather was born in Africa and Graham’s paternal grandfather was from Jamaica, Stephen has said that it was Mike’s advice and guidance that helped him understand his background.
Speaking on BBC Desert Island Discs in 2019 he said: ‘There were times growing up where I would be slightly unsure of where I fitted in. 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 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.’
Stephen told Lauren Lavern: ‘Pops is mixed race so that is where I learnt all the history of my culture and where I am from and what I am about.
The actor’s Netflix series Adolescence cleaned up at Sunday night’s Emmy Awards, winning eight gongs including Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series and turning Stephen into a three-time winner
Stephen shared a delighted hug with the show’s co-creator Jack Thorne at the Netflix party
Jack Thorne, Ted Sarandos, CEO, Netflix, Stephen, Christine Tremarco, and Owen Cooper all posed for a selfie
In another interview earlier this year Stephen wept as he showered praise on Mike, saying: ‘To help you achieve your goal, or to believe in the dream you have. It takes that one person and my [step] dad was that person…And my mum.’
Adolescence has averaged around 45million views per month and become a must-watch for parents and teenagers around the world.
The series, which centres around schoolboy Jamie Miller (Owen Cooper), follows his story when he is accused of murdering a female classmate after seeing extreme and misogynistic content online.
Last night at the Emmys the show took home eight gongs, with the tally also including a Best Supporting Actor win for 15-year-old Owen, for his breathtaking performance as Jamie Miller.
Owen has now made Emmys history after becoming the youngest ever male winner.
Stephen is enjoying some of the finest success of his acting career to date in the role of Eddie Miller, the dad of a young boy called Jamie (Owen Cooper) in the Netflix hit Adolescence
Best Supporting Actress went to Erin Doherty, while director Philip Barantini won his category. The show also had two in the bank from pre-show hand-outs for cinematography and casting.
Owen proved himself to be well in with the movers and shakers of Hollywood as he partied up a storm at the streaming giant’s Emmys after-party – ahead of his return to school in Warrington on Wednesday.
And it was a family affair for Stephen, who was joined by his wife and Adolescence co-producer Hannah Walters, as well as their children Grace, 20, and Alfie, 18 for his big night.
