It was a proud night for Liverpool at Royal Festival Hall as Stephen Graham picked up the top prize on an evening that celebrated Scouse talent
Stephen Graham won Best Lead Actor at the BAFTAs (Image: Getty Images for BAFTA)
Stephen Graham has won the BAFTA TV Award for Best Lead Actor on a proud night for Liverpool talent. The Kirkby actor triumphed in a category stacked full of stars who have Merseyside heritage.
In addition to the 51-year-old, James Nelson-Joyce was nominated for his performance in This City Is Ours, Ellis Howard for What It Feels Like For A Girl and Taron Egerton, who was born in Birkenhead before moving to Wales, recognised for his role in Smoke. Stephen was announced as the winner for his devastating performance as Eddie Miller in the Netflix show, which shaped social discourse around parenting and knife crime when it landed on the streaming platform in March 2025.
The triumph sees Stephen complete the set as he added a BAFTA to his Golden Globe and Emmy wins for his part in Adolescence. The Scouser received a huge ovation from those in attendance at Royal Festival Hall and shared his immense pride as he collected the prestigious award.
He said: “I’m going to take my time. I’ve been nominated eight times and this is the first time I’ve won. I’d like to thank all my fellow nominees. Especially our James and our Ellis. When I was a kid, I watched a telly programme called Scully, written by Alan Bleasdale, and it had the wonderful Drew Schofield in.
“He lived across the road from my nannas house so he showed me that I could be on the telly. Drew was such a wonderful man. He was my inspiration so for any young kid, no matter where you’re from, anything is possible.”
Stephen ended his speech by paying tribute to The Beatles, who were earlier referenced by Owen Cooper in his acceptance speech. He said: “The kid has already said it, but, in the words of The Beatles, All We Need Is Love.”
Stephen has come a long way since growing up in Kirkby when a visit to Quarry Green video shop ignited his love for film and changed the trajectory of his life forever. He has gone on to spearhead the next generation of Scouse talent, who were full of praise for the actor.
Best Lead actor nominee James Nelson-Joyce hailed the impact Stephen has had on his career in an exclusive interview with the ECHO on the red carpet at Royal Festival Hall ahead of the ceremony. The 37-year-old said: “Stephen Graham has opened the door for me and many other actors.
“He has held the door open on his way up to the very top. He has not forgotten about giving back and helping people. He gives advice on auditions and agents, I realise how lucky I was to be one of those people he looked out for.
“Stephen Graham deserves everything, I am not alongside him tonight. I am going to watch him from a distance. He deserves all of his flowers and I am just very honoured that I get to be here.”
Sunday night’s BAFTAs was a real cultural moment for Liverpool and our incredible pool of talent was recognised across a special evening for the city. James also praised the character of people from the city for being able to break through the glass ceiling when access to the arts has never been more difficult for people from working class backgrounds.
He told the ECHO: “You can’t ignore our city. We’re from the greatest city in the world and we can’t be ignored. They try to hold us back, they try to block us, but we will find a way through.”
Fellow Best Lead Actor nominee Ellis was similarly full of praise for the Scouse identity and said it was an honour to be nominated alongside Liverpool talent. The 29-year-old said: “I am so buzzing to be here and so grateful.
“To be nominated alongside two other Scousers is like heaven to me. It’s so humbling and so encouraging in equal measure. I feel like I am Scouse before anything else.”
The rising star added: “Growing up listening to someone like Stephen Graham on television really blew up the parameter for the dreams I had for myself. I suddenly felt like there was a world out there that allowed me to dream bigger.
“I am part of a city that is incredibly open minded and is full of storytellers. Liverpool has a sensibility and comedy and that is what makes me proud about our city. Every year on JustGiving we are the city that donates the most to charity and I just love us. I am so proud to be a Scouser.”
It wasn’t just the Best Lead Actor category that featured strong Liverpool representation as Tuebrook’s Christine Tremarco picked up the Best Supporting Actress Award for her performance as Manda Miller in Adolescence. Acclaimed crime drama This City Is Ours was nominated for Best Drama, as was A Thousands Blows, which also boasts a strong Scouse heartbeat.
Adolescence was the big winner throughout the evening as it also won Best Limited Drama series and Owen Cooper continued his impressive rise as he won the Best Supporting Actor award.
The 16-year-old Liverpool FC fan, born in Warrington, paid tribute to The Beatles in his acceptance speech as he said: “In the words of John Lennon, you won’t get anything unless you have the vision to imagine it. In my eyes you only need three things to succeed in life. One, an obsession. Two, a dream. And three, The Beatles.”