A Leicestershire actor has expressed his shock after the prison drama he starred in, won an award at this year’s BAFTAs, beating off some stiff competition.
Prison drama, Time, won Best Mini Series at this year’s awards held on Sunday (May 8), beating off competition from popular dramas including Channel 4/HBO’s It’s a Sin, Sky’s Olivia Colman-starring Landscapers and ITV’s Stephen Lawrence drama Stephen.
Graham took on the role of prison guard Eric McNally in the popular three part drama, who faces an impossible dilemma when inmates identify his weak spot.
Upon picking up the BAFTA, Mr Graham, who lives in Ibstock with his wife and co-star Hannah Walters, said: “Normally everyone says we weren’t expecting this, but on my ma’s life, we weren’t expecting this!”
He went on to praise the ‘phenomenal cast of young working class men’ who were ‘absolutely outstanding in the drama, which premiered on the BBC last Summer.
“And it was an absolute joy to be a part of,” said the actor, before going on to explain how being able to ‘tell stories that had a social commentary’ was why he ‘wanted to be an actor’ since he was a kid.
He added: “I just wanna say this isn’t a game of footy so there shouldn’t be a winner or a loser. We are all doing exactly what we want to do.
“I was just wanna say as well it was an absolute honour to get to act with my wife!”
Time also stars Sean Bean, who plays Mark Cobden, a husband, teacher and father who is sentenced to four years in prison after accidentally killing a man.
Consumed by guilt, he openly accepts his sentence but is quickly confronted with the harsh realities of life inside.
The series also follows prison officer Eric McNally, who endeavours to protect those in his care, but finds that his job can be demanding in a tense and understaffed environment. Both Mark and Eric are faced with difficult choices as they fight for survival.
It is available to view on BBC iPlayer at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p09fs2x4
