Hannah Walters spoke to the ECHO in an exclusive interview about her new film, championing Scouse talent and why Liverpool feels like her second home
Hannah Walters was joined by her husband, Stephen Graham, at the premiere of her new film Amazing Grace(Image: Liverpool Echo)
After 33 years with one of Liverpool’s most famous sons, Hannah Walters can definitely consider herself to be an honorary Scouser. The 52-year-old met Stephen Graham when they were both budding acting students at the Rose Bruford College of Speech and Drama in London.
After a few years of being best mates, Stephen eventually shared his true feelings for Hannah when there was a chance she might relocate to Spain and the two haven’t looked back since. They are the proud parents of two children, Alfie and Grace, and the family’s genuine joy at red carpet events has warmed the hearts of people all over the globe, as the Graham Walters are firmly established as one of the most solid units in entertainment.
The whole family were out in force at the Crosby Community Plaza this week for the world premiere of Hannah’s new film, Amazing Grace, which will be released on November 6. The powerful film marks Hannah’s first lead role in a movie and she stars as helpline volunteer counsellor, Grace, who forms a bond over the phone with a man in a moment of crisis.
Hannah was excited for people to see the film on the big screen as she told the ECHO in an exclusive interview at the event: “You always get a bit nervous at these things because as much as you’ve seen it and you love it, the testament is an audience sitting and watching it. It was an incredible film made on a ridiculously low budget.
“It shows you can make incredible feature films for literally next to nothing. With a good team and good support, fabulous writing, cast and crew, it can be done.”
Hannah needn’t have worried as the film received an amazing response from the crowd in attendance on Thursday (October 29) as Amazing Grace received two standing ovations after the credits rolled. The story behind the film is also fascinating as it all started when Hannah’s co-star and film’s writer, Daniel P. Lewis, reached out on a whim with an Instagram message about the project.
Stephen Graham and Hannah Walters with their children Grace and Alfie(Image: Liverpool Echo)
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Daniel has previously told the ECHO how he couldn’t believe that Hannah actually responded to his pitch about the film. In her role as co-founder of Matriarch Productions, Hannah is faced with countless scripts every day but she said something about Daniel’s message resonated with her.
She said: “It’s funny isn’t it? Sometimes in life, you just meet people you connect to and have an instant chemistry with. Daniel just reached out to me. There was something in his words, something in his manner, something in the way that he approached it. It was so beautiful and so humble, that I just responded, then a relationship formed.
“That relationship just formed and he sent me the script for Amazing Grace, I fell in love with it and then we made this film.” She laughed: “An Instagram DM relationship, which sounds dodgy but it wasn’t at all.”
While being taken by the vital subject matter and important message on mental health awareness, Hannah also wanted to show support for Daniel’s journey to help him break into the industry. She said: “He’s unrepresented. No writing agent, no acting agent, which is one of the reasons that I wanted to do this film. To give him his flowers. He needs this in order to carry on his creative journey.”
Championing Merseyside talent is nothing new for Hannah. It’s an incredible moment for acting talent in the city at the moment as stars such as Jodie Comer, James Nelson-Joyce, Ellis Howard, Darci Shaw and Jack McMullen are flying the flag for the authentic Scouse accent on screen.
Hannah Walters has championed Scouse talent such as Amazing Grace co-star, James Nelson-Joyce(Image: Liverpool Echo)
While all hail Kirkby-born Stephen as an inspiration for paving the way for Merseyside actors, they equally credit Hannah’s input as someone who reaches out and gives them vital support at the start of the career. Hannah explained it’s a combination of talent and work ethic that draws her to a person, as she said: “There’s a very paternal and maternal thing that me and Stephen both have.
“It’s just that will and want for people to do just do well. When I see them doing well, it makes my soul and heart happy. They work hard and that’s the point. They don’t just get this opportunity and take advantage of it, they appreciate it, they work hard and that’s the important thing.”
Hannah’s eye hasn’t let her down yet as James and Ellis were both nominated alongside Stephen in the Best Actor category at the BAFTA awards earlier this year. Giving opportunities to Scousers is something she is proud of as she said: “We want to give someone an opportunity that wouldn’t necessarily get that opportunity.
“It’s giving voices and people platforms that they would sometimes find hard to get to. It’s opening doors for creatives that the doors don’t usually open, that are a little bit shut.”
She added: “Stephen and I both come from very humble beginnings. When you come from that, you really appreciate what you’ve got. We instil that into our kids as well.”
Hannah Walters with co-star and Amazing Grace writer, Daniel P. Lewis(Image: Liverpool Echo)
Hannah’s work has once again put the spotlight on Merseyside talent as the film, which is directed by Ruth Carney, was shot on a shoestring budget in the region. In addition to Daniel, it also features Merseyside cast members such as This City Is Ours star James and Sonny Walker.
Having the world premiere in the city felt like a fitting decision as Hannah said it feels like her second home. The actor, who hails from Leicestershire, said: “I’ve been coming here since I was 19. Half of my life has been spent coming back and forth to Liverpool and I have lots of family here. Stephen’s family that I consider my own family and it has a little piece of my heart.”
And the Kirkby side of Stephen’s family has certainly had an impact as she laughed she has embraced all aspects of Scouse culture. She said: “I turned up to the accommodation yesterday and I had rollers in my hair. [The staff at the accommodation] was just like, ‘yeah, you’ve been here for far too many years’.
“I’m driving down the M6 with my rollers in and Stephen by my side. After 33 years, am I not an adopted Scouser?” After starring in the lead role of a feature film for the first time, Hannah is excited to continue the values that have defined her career into the next chapter as she looks forward for what is to come both in front and behind the camera.
She said: “Producing wise, we have got a project that we are starting to film at the beginning of next year for Netflix, which is another Jack Thorne [who wrote Adolescence] piece. And then for Hannah Walters, I am available for jobs as the actress so bring it on.”
She added: “We come from a good place, do the right thing, try to be kind and try to be humble and just appreciate everything that’s given to you and that you’ve worked for. Stephen and I both come from very humble beginnings. When you come from that, you really appreciate what you’ve got. We instil that into our kids as well.”
Amazing Grace will be released in cinemas on November 6
Hannah Walters spoke to the ECHO in an exclusive interview(Image: Liverpool Echo)