Stephen Graham hopes father-son book will ‘continue the message of Adolescence’
Emma SaundersCulture reporter
Joseph Sinclair
Netflix’s hit TV series Adolescence explored toxic masculinity and the impact of mobile phones and social media on teenagers and family life.
Graham, whose letter to his own son will be included in the book, told the BBC: “My hope for this book is that it will be a continuation of the message of Adolescence and a tool for fathers to start more conversations with their sons.”
The Bloomsbury book will be made up of a collection of letters from fathers from all walks of life, with submissions open from 15 October until 12 January.
In a press statement, Graham added: “After the huge impact of Adolescence, I realised there was a greater need for communication between fathers and sons.
“There is arguably an even bigger disconnect than ever before, and I would love to help create more opportunity for fathers to reach out to their sons and carry on the conversation.
“We want to hear from men of all ages, first-time fathers, absent fathers, fathers who’ve been there but never truly been there, fathers who’ve lost and fathers who just want to find a way to say I love you, to tell their sons what they mean to them and to talk openly about what it means to be a man.”
The book will be published in October 2026.
Graham is working on the project with psychology lecturer Orly Klein.
The pair will make a donation for every letter published to the charity ManUp? and social enterprise Dad La Soul, two organisations that support young men struggling with mental health. Bloomsbury will also make a donation to ManUp?
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Owen Cooper and Stephen Graham were the stars of Adolescence
For several weeks earlier this year, Adolescence dominated the news agenda, and eventually went on to become Netflix’s second most watched English-language series ever (after the first season of Wednesday).
The UK government supported Netflix’s proposal to make the drama available to schools. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said there was a need to tackle the “emerging and growing problem” the show raised.
Many critics shared the sentiment in their reviews. “If you’re a parent to a school-age boy… it will chill your blood,” said the Telegraph’s Anita Singh.
“It is a drama so quietly devastating that I won’t forget it for a very long time.”
The show went on to win several Emmy awards in the US. Its young star, Owen Cooper, 15, was named best supporting actor in a limited series for his portrayal of a schoolboy accused of murdering a classmate.
The four-part drama also won best limited series, as well as prizes for its directing and writing, and acting prizes for Stephen Graham and Erin Doherty.
