Stephen Graham, the star and co-creator of Netflix's groundbreaking series Adolescence, has announced a new project aimed at tackling toxic masculinity: a book titled Letters to Our Sons. The book, co-edited with psychology lecturer Orly Klein, features letters from fathers around the world, including actors Danny Dyer, Javier Bardem, Daniel Mays, Michael Socha, Ashley Walters, and Riz Ahmed. Sporting figures like Olympian Tom Daley and footballers Chris Kamara and Jamie Redknapp have also contributed, alongside writer Jack Thorne, comedian Romesh Ranganathan, presenter Jeff Brazier, musician Goldie, and documentary-maker Louis Theroux.
From Screen to Page: A New Approach to Fatherhood
The book, set for release on Thursday, September 24, is described as a collection of letters from fathers to their sons, exploring what it means to be a man. The blurb reads: "What advice do you wish you'd shared before your son's first day at school? When he missed or scored that goal? Or the day he left home? When was the last time you hugged him? And what would you do if you had your time again?"
Graham told the BBC that Adolescence helped him realise "there was a greater need for communication between fathers and sons." He added: "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."
The Impact of Adolescence
Adolescence was a cultural phenomenon, becoming the first streaming series to top the Barb Audiences weekly television ratings. It sparked national conversations about social media and toxic masculinity, leading to meetings between UK politicians and the show's creators. The series was also made available for free to UK schools. According to Deadline Hollywood, Netflix and Plan B Entertainment were in discussions for a potential second season as of April 2025.
Signed copies of Letters to Our Sons are now available for pre-order at most bookshops, with Graham promoting the project on Instagram.
