Leicestershire-based Stephen Graham stars in the new Disney+ series A Thousand Blows, a gritty period drama that's already being compared to the success of Peaky Blinders. As one of the UK's most acclaimed actors, Stephen has made a lasting impact with his performances in This Is England, Line Of Duty, Bodies, and of course, Peaky Blinders.

In A Thousand Blows, he takes on the role of Sugar Goodson, an experienced fighter who becomes fascinated by Hezekiah Moscow (played by Malachi Kirby), a Jamaican boxer who arrives in 1880s London with aspirations of lion taming. However, when Hezekiah's journey leads him to the boxing ring, Goodson is there to guide him, reports the Express.

With the show now streaming on Disney+, fans are eager to delve into Stephen's personal history. Born in Kirkby, Merseyside, in 1973, Graham encountered racial prejudice early on due to his mixed heritage—his father is half Jamaican and half Swedish.

On Desert Island Discs, he shared his struggles: "I'm mixed race and that was kind of frowned on in those days. There were times growing up when I was slightly unsure where I fitted in. That n-word popped up when I was younger."

Stephen's move to London in his early 20s marked a significant step towards pursuing his acting career amidst personal challenges. The actor has previously spoken very candidly about his struggles with mental health, revealing the depth of his emotional pain in an interview with The Sunday Times.