This month we were once again reminded why we love Stephen Graham as he undertook the role a lifetime in Netflix’s new twisted crime show Adolescence.

Starring as father Eddie Miller who discovers that his 13-year-old son has been accused of murder, Stephen has proven once again why he’s the goat of British drama. The four-part show also stars Owen Cooper as suspected killer Jamie Miller, Ashley Walters as DI Luke Bascombe, and Erin Doherty as psychologist Briony Ariston.

You don’t need to have another reason to love Stephen Graham – just look at his stacked resume – but prepare to idolise him even more when you learn about the time he almost adopted a co-star.

Stephen Graham and a director offered to adopt a young actor

Way back in 2006, Stephen Graham starred in the critically acclaimed This Is England which unpacked the trend of right-wing skinheads in the 1980s. It was written and directed by Shane Meadows, a close friend of Stephen’s.

Alongside Stephen, Vicky McClure, Joe Gilgun, and Andrew Shim, a 13-year-old Thomas Turgoose stepped into the role of Shaun who is dragged into the world of gang extremism after being alienated at school – sound familiar?

Speaking on the Private Parts podcast in 2021, Thomas explained how he was forced to move in with his stranger of a father after his mother died of cancer shortly after filming wrapped. He had no relationship with his dad and was left “so confused” by the situation.

“I remember. I sat in my bedroom for days and weeks, and I was so confused,” he said. “This isn’t the lifestyle that I’m used to.”

Thomas had spent a lot of time with both Stephen Graham and director Shane Meadows both on set and after wrapping so they said they would adopt him if things didn’t work out with his father.

“I spent a lot of time with Shane Meadows and Stephen Graham. They agreed between them that if they didn’t get on with my dad, or if they didn’t see my dad fit to bring me up, they were gonna adopt me,” he recalled, further noting in an interview with The Independent how they promised to “support him.”

Thankfully, they never needed to as Thomas and his father’s relationship improved dramatically as they got to know one another.

“But they met my dad. And my dad is a proper bloke! He’s worked his arse off his whole life, and he’s respectable. Me and my dad are best friends now, whereas, when I moved in with him, I didn’t know him,” he said.