Stephen Graham delivered an emotional acceptance speech at the Emmys on Sunday, September 14, expressing profound gratitude towards his wife, Hannah Walters. The British actor won the award for best actor in a limited or anthology series or movie for his performance in Adolescence.
While accepting the award on stage in Los Angeles, Graham took the opportunity to thank his family and those closest to him.
“My kids, Grace and Alfie, and my adorable wife who I love with every ounce of my being. You are my rock, you are my world, you are my soulmate, and you know and I know, without you I would be dead,” he shared with the audience and viewers at home.
“From the bottom of my heart, I love you with everything I have. Namaste everyone, thanks very much.”
In a 2019 interview with Desert Island Discs, Graham candidly discussed his struggles with mental health during his early years, particularly after relocating to London to pursue his career.
“[My parents] were trying to see what was happening with me. I’ll never forget the tears coming down both their faces,” he remembered.
“Then the next day I tried to hang myself. It was very calculated. I had to put on a high-neck jumper. My mum kind of saw it. Then everything came out. Life was worth living thankfully.”
Graham, now 52, met Hannah in drama school during the 90s, but their romantic relationship only blossomed much later.
Hannah had been living in Spain for some time and returned to the UK with intentions of moving there permanently.
Initially unsure about what he sought from a relationship, Graham realized Hannah’s move to Spain was a pivotal moment for him.
He explained: “She went to Spain for a little bit and I couldn’t see her, and she was going to move out there.
“She came back and we hadn’t been on a date in these five years, six years, just talking lots. And I said ‘can I take you on a date?'”
Graham continued: “She went ‘what?’ And we went to see Saving Private Ryan, had a bite to eat in Greenwich and we were at New Cross train station and I said ‘Please don’t go to Spain’.
“She asked ‘why?’ and I said ‘Well, I love you.’ She said she’d been waiting five years for me to say that.
“And the next day we moved in together. And we’ve been together ever since.”