Emmerdale star Andrew Scarborough has finally revealed the truth behind his character Graham Foster's consistent choice of attire—a smart suit that has become his trademark in the Dales. The actor, who joined the ITV soap in 2017 as Joe Tate's right-hand man, shared insights into Graham's backstory and wardrobe decisions.
Graham's Suit: A Symbol of Mourning and Coping
Speaking at a press event, Scarborough explained that Graham's suit is a reflection of his inner turmoil. "I think Graham is mourning the backstory of him, which is that he wanted a family when he was younger, but he blew that completely. So, he’s mourning that the whole time, hence the reason for the suit," he said. The actor elaborated on the significance of the red tie, which he requested as a reminder that Graham has "been to hell and back."
Scarborough also revealed that Graham's wardrobe choice is tied to his mental health. "He does have one suit because he has OCD and PTSD. That’s his coping mechanism. You’ll find in the wardrobe that he has twenty suits all like that," he added. The character, a mercenary who works as a fixer, dresses this way to maintain control and focus on his mission to help Joe Tate.
Graham's Journey: From Fake Death to Family Craving
Graham's time in Emmerdale has been marked by dramatic twists. He was initially thought dead after being attacked by Pierce Harris, but later revealed to have faked his death after learning Kim Tate wanted him killed. In recent episodes, Graham has taken Kyle Winchester under his wing after discovering the boy was the arsonist at Emmerdale Farm. Scarborough noted that Graham's actions stem from a desire for family. "The Tates, as dysfunctional as it is, is a family, so he wants to be back there as well. He’s drawn to people to try and help them. Leo especially. He had a great relationship with Leo. I think he’s craving family," he explained.
Future Possibilities: Would Graham Settle Down?
When asked about Graham's future, Scarborough expressed mixed feelings. "I think Graham would like it. I’m not so sure as an actor that I would! I think it would dull him a bit," he said. While he acknowledged that settling down could be interesting, he prefers to keep Graham's edge. "Some people think he’s very quiet and emotionally stunted and dull in that form, but that would dull him even more. I wouldn’t want to do that," he added.
Emmerdale airs weeknights at 8pm on ITV1, with streaming available on ITVX and YouTube from 7am.
