Stephen Graham gave a powerful and moving speech as Time picked up the TV BAFTA for Best Mini-Series today, praising the efforts of his ‘young working class’ co-stars.
The three-part series saw Sean Bean play Mark Cobden, a newly-imprisoned English teacher who has to figure out a way of surviving in the brutal new world behind bars - while also battling the guilt and flashbacks stemming from the crime that landed him there.
Graham took on the role of prison guard Eric McNally, who faces an impossible dilemma when inmates identify his weak spot.
The show received widespread praise from viewers when it was released last year, and has now picked up a BAFTA award for Best Mini-Series.
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Accepting the accolade, the cast and crew admitted they were ‘ill prepared’ for the win, with Graham leaning into the mic and saying: “Normally everyone says we weren’t expecting this, but on my ma’s life, we weren’t expecting this!”
Graham went on to praise the ‘phenomenal cast of young working class men’ who were ‘absolutely outstanding.
“And it was an absolute joy to be a part of,” the actor said, explaining how being able to 'tell stories that had a social commentary' was why he ‘wanted to be an actor’ since he was a kid.
He added: “I just wanna say this isn’t a game of footy so there shouldn’t be a winner or a loser. We are all doing exactly what we want to do.
“I was just wanna say as well it was an absolute honour to get to act with my wife!”
Written by Jimmy McGovern, the drama was a huge hit with fans when it premiered on the BBC last summer, with many finding Bean and Graham's pairing hugely powerful.
A synopsis from the BBC said: "Mark Cobden (Bean) is newly imprisoned, consumed by guilt for his crime, and way out of his depth in the volatile world of prison life.
"He meets Eric McNally (Graham), an excellent prison officer doing his best to protect those in his charge.
"However, when one of the most dangerous inmates identifies his weakness, Eric faces an impossible choice; between his principles and his family.
"Sean Bean and Stephen Graham star as two men on the edge in this emotional and thrilling portrayal of life in a British prison. What does it take to survive?"
Topics: Celebrity, Stephen Graham, TV and Film, BAFTAs
Jess Hardiman