Profile

James Graham’s writing obsession started at the age of six in the shadow of Nottinghamshire's former coalmines. Equipped with a typewriter from his mother he created hundreds of stories from the family home in Kirkby-in-Ashfield. Accelerating through university in Hull and a writing residency in west London, Graham’s work started to attract wider audiences following a break at the National Theatre in 2012. Building on his thrilling political drama This House, he went on to write plays and TV series including Sherwood, Dear England, Quiz, Best of Enemies and Brexit: The Uncivil War.During this year’s MacTaggart lecture at the Edinburgh TV Festival, he called for more working-class people in TV. But what next for this prolific playwright? Stephen Smith speaks to his family, friends and colleagues to find out more. Contributors Anne Ellis - Mother David Morrissey - Actor Kate Wasserberg - Artistic Director, Theatr Clwyd Dr Sarah Jane Dickenson - Senior Lecturer, University of Hull Martin Humphrey - Former Head