Stephen Graham has publicly criticized the BAFTA organization for neglecting to award Cillian Murphy for his extraordinary portrayal of Tommy Shelby in the acclaimed series “Peaky Blinders.” In a candid interview, Graham discussed the subjective nature of acting awards, emphasizing that the world of performance art should not be compared to competitive sports where there are clear winners and losers.
“What we do isn’t football,” Graham expressed to The Guardian, pointing out that the merit of artistic performances can often diverge from official recognition. He argued that despite some productions receiving multiple awards with which he personally disagrees, the essence of acting lies in its subjective interpretation.
Using Murphy as a prime example of this disparity in recognition, Graham remarked, “Cillian Murphy, right? Wonderful actor. He’s never won a BAFTA for playing Tommy Shelby in ‘Peaky Blinders’! One of the finest performances I’ve ever seen. What the f***’s that about?” Despite Murphy’s impressive performances throughout the series, which aired from 2013 to 2022, he has yet to receive a BAFTA or an Emmy for his role, although he was nominated in 2023.
Graham, who has achieved awards success for his role in Netflix’s “Adolescence,” emphasized that the most significant accomplishment is often not the accolades themselves but the conversations and impact that a production can inspire among its audience. “Adolescence got people talking who don’t normally talk, about things they don’t normally talk about,” he shared. “Is there any finer achievement than having a direct, immediate and positive effect worldwide on human relationships?” This perspective highlights that sometimes the true value of a project transcends its awards.
Currently, Graham stars in Steven Knight’s “A Thousand Blows,” which is set to return for a second series on Disney+ on January 9. In this role, he portrays Henry “Sugar” Goodson, a bare-knuckle boxer battling alcoholism. Reflecting on his experiences, Graham noted that his background, having grown up in working men’s clubs where he observed various characters, has helped him portray such complex roles authentically.
Overall, Graham’s comments not only shine a light on the often-controversial nature of award recognition in the arts but also celebrate the profound societal impact that powerful storytelling can have on audiences, proving that sometimes the most meaningful accolades come from the hearts of viewers rather than voting bodies.