Stephen Graham launches a global letter-writing project about manhood
Emmy-winning actor Stephen Graham, best known for his role as a complex, troubled figure in the Netflix hit Adolescence, has announced a new project that broadens the conversation about masculinity. Graham is inviting fathers around the world to write letters to their sons about what it means to be a man, with the aim of compiling these personal reflections into a forthcoming book titled Letters to Our Sons.
The project, developed in collaboration with psychology lecturer Orly Klein, seeks to create a living archive of intergenerational wisdom. The book is scheduled for publication by Bloomsbury next October, expanding the dialogue sparked by Graham’s recent on-screen work. As Graham states, there is “arguably an even bigger disconnect between fathers and sons than ever before,” and this endeavor aims to bridge that gap through intimate, written messages.
How the project works and what it seeks to capture
Fathers of all ages and circumstances are invited to submit letters from Wednesday 15 October to 12 January 2026 via the project’s official website. The letters will be curated with contributions from Graham itself and other notable figures, offering a composite portrait of malehood and fatherhood across different cultures and life experiences. The intent is not to prescribe a single definition of manhood but to illuminate personal truths, challenges, and hopes that can guide younger generations.
Graham explains that the letters will provide a space for those who have “lost and fathers who just want to find a way to say I love you.” The project also foregrounds open discussions about what it means to be a man in today’s world—an era shaped by digital culture, shifting family structures, and evolving ideas about emotional literacy.
From screen to écriture: how Klein’s influence shapes the idea
The collaboration with Orly Klein, a psychology lecturer known for her work on marginalisation, identity, and youth culture, anchors the project in research-informed practice. Klein has previously explored therapeutic approaches for young men, including Room to Rant, which uses rap as a tool for expression and healing. Her involvement signals a serious intent to combine literary form with psychological insight, turning personal letters into a resource for both readers and scholars.
A broader cultural moment: timing and reception
The book follows the wider cultural conversation surrounding Adolescence, which explored masculine identity and the pressures facing teenage boys in a digital era. The series and its reception—spanning debates about male role models, mental health, and online toxicity—have already sparked conversations in parliament and education circles in the UK and beyond. Some lawmakers argued that such discussions deserve a wider platform in schools and public policy, while others highlighted the potential of narrative tools to foster healthier attitudes toward women and gender equality.
Bloomsbury’s involvement underscores the project’s ambition to become more than a collection of letters. The publisher has described Letters to Our Sons as a potential catalyst for a genuine social and cultural movement—one that invites men to reflect publicly on what it means to raise sons who are confident, compassionate, and responsible in a changing world.
Support, impact, and next steps
In addition to publishing the letters, Graham and Klein plan to donate a portion of proceeds to MANUP? and Dad La Soul, charities dedicated to mental health support for young men. These commitments align the project with a broader effort to address mental health challenges, reduce stigma, and promote constructive father-son relationships.
For readers and potential contributors, the project offers a meaningful way to participate in cultural dialogue. By sharing personal stories about fatherhood, men can help normalize vulnerability, celebrate positive male role models, and provide practical guidance for younger generations navigating adolescence and beyond.
As Graham notes, the act of writing a letter can be a powerful bridge—between past and future, between father and son, and between individual experience and collective learning. With Letters to Our Sons, there is a clear aspiration to turn intimate correspondence into a public resource that encourages empathy, accountability, and a more nuanced understanding of what it means to be a man today.
