Stephen Graham Emmy Win Article

At the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards on September 14, 2025, Stephen Graham won Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series for his role as Eddie Miller in Netflix’s Adolescence.

 The British actor, who co-created the series with Jack Thorne, delivered a heartfelt acceptance speech that resonated widely. “This kind of thing doesn’t normally happen to a kid like me. 

I’m just a mixed-race kid from a block of flats in a place called Kirkby,” said Graham, of Swedish and Jamaican descent.

 “To be acknowledged by my peers is the utmost humbling thing, and it shows any dream is possible.”

Graham’s portrayal of a father navigating his son’s arrest for murder earned him his first acting Emmy, beating out Colin Farrell (The Penguin), Jake Gyllenhaal (Presumed Innocent), Brian Tyree Henry (Dope Thief), and Cooper Koch (Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story).

 Critics praised his quiet intensity and chemistry with young co-star Owen Cooper, who also won an Emmy, making history as the youngest supporting actor winner.

Adolescence, a four-episode series filmed in single takes, dominated with eight Emmys, including Outstanding Limited Series, writing, and directing.

 Graham also won for writing alongside Thorne. 

The show, which explores knife crime and online radicalization, became Netflix’s second most-watched English-language series.

In his speech, Graham thanked his wife, calling her his “soulmate,” and closed with “Namaste!” delighting global fans. 

His win underscores Adolescence’s cultural impact and his remarkable journey from humble beginnings to Emmy glory.

Adolescence is streaming on Netflix.