Stephen Graham won the lead limited series actor Emmy, recognizing his portrayal of Eddie Miller in Netflix’s Adolescence, which he co-created.

Mixed Race: Swedish and Jamaican Descent

“This kind of thing doesn’t normally happen to a kid like me. I’m just a mixed-race kid from a block of flats in a place called Kirkby,” said Graham, who is of Swedish and Jamaican descent.

“To be here today in front of my peers, and to be acknowledged by you, is the utmost humbling thing I could imagine my life, and it shows you that any dream is possible.”

“Namaste, everyone,” he said at the end of his speech.

Adolescence earned Graham his first 3 Emmy nominations and wins.

In addition to acting award, he and Thorne earned trophies for outstanding limited series and limited series writing.

While accepting the limited series award later in the show, Graham spoke about the community of the team behind “Adolescence,” saying they “were treated equally and everyone was respected” regardless of their role in the production. “Whether or not you are an executive producer from Plan B or you were the fellow that was cleaning the toilets in our Winnebagos, we were all equal. Just look after each other and give your mate a cuddle or a kiss and tell them you love them.”

The series also won supporting limited series actor (Owen Cooper), supporting limited series actress (Erin Doherty) and limited series directing (Philip Barantini). At the Creative Arts Emmys the week before, the series won the limited series cinematography award while “Adolescence: The Making of Adolescence” won the award for short form nonfiction series.