Describing the Scouse star, actor Connor Calland summed up Stephen Graham in three words
Describing the Scouse star, actor Connor Calland summed up Stephen Graham in three words
Stephen Graham’s recent Netflix show has been a hit with fans worldwide. Its hard-hitting theme has stopped viewers in their tracks, reflecting upon society and its issues surrounding young people’s behaviour in the modern day. Adolescence has topped Netflix’s English TV series list this week with 42 million views.
Over the weekend the show made British TV history, becoming the first streaming show ever to become the most-watched programme of the week. Stephen Graham stars as Eddie Miller, a dad whose life is turned upside down when his son, Jamie, is accused of murder.
The 51-year-old from Kirkby also co-wrote the show and said he was inspired by real life tragic events. Each episode is filmed in one shot, which explore the aftermath of the tragic incident, following the family as they deal with the heartbreaking emotional turmoil.
The ECHO spoke to an actor who worked with Stephen Graham on the Adolescence set last summer. Connor Calland portrayed P.C Jenkins in the series. Describing the Scouse star, he summed Stephen up as “down to earth”.
Connor said: “The reception of the show has been wild.” The 28-year-old actor added: “It’s quite overwhelming how far and wind it’s gone really, it’s blown up and I’m very proud.”
He reflected on his time working alongside Stephen, who helped maintain the “relaxed” atmosphere on such a busy set. He said: “We’ve got a ‘meaty’ scene together in the first episode and it was great to work alongside him then.
“He was really lovely and really generous, but he’s a very intense actor. He knows exactly how he wants to run the scenes but he’s really flexible for wanting to play around with it. He comes in with a really clear idea which is good. It’s nice to have somebody come in with a clear vision.”
Connor appears in the first episode at the police station after Jamie is arrested on suspicion of murder of a teenage girl. As Stephen’s (Eddie Miller) life is turned upside down, his son is taken in for questioning, as well as DNA and blood tests.
After spending time with Stephen on set, he told the ECHO: “He’s down to earth and really humble. He really takes time for everybody on set, not just the actors but the crew and the supporting artists. It helps everybody pull out their ‘A game.’
“The big takeaway for me is you can be in such a great position like he is, but he doesn’t hold himself higher than anybody else. He makes everyone feel equal and everyone feels like their voice is important on set. It makes a big difference for everybody.”
Connor, who formally lived in Southport but recently moved to York, owes his acting to career to his inspiration. He explained: “He’s the reason why I’m doing this as a profession. I was doing acting classes and I remember watching the film ‘This is England.’
He added: “Seeing that film made me think to myself ‘I kind of want to do this as a job’, especially the representation of the area where I’m from on screen. Being able to work with him and share that with him on Adolescence was an absolute privilege.”
Stephen Graham appeared as Combo in This is England, before his career sky-rocketed, later bagging himself renowned roles in The Irishman, Boiling Point, A Thousand Blows and Bodies.
The Scouser recently spoke about his journey to break through into the industry and said he wouldn’t be anywhere without the support of his parents. Stephen’s dad harnessed his passion for film and bought his posters of Robert De Niro films, such as Taxi Driver, which adorned the walls of his rooms as he was growing up.
He said: “He proper backed me. And my mum. They supported me throughout everything. Do you know what I mean? All the struggles you go through and everything.
“Sometimes all it takes is one person to help you achieve your goal or to believe in the dream you have. It takes that one person and my dad was that person. And my mum.”
