How Hannah Walters turned a creative partnership into a catalyst for social change
In short: Actress Hannah Walters spent years supporting her husband Stephen Graham’s career before stepping into the spotlight herself. Now, through their production company Matriarch, she is producing high-impact dramas that spark national conversations, proving that behind every great performance is a powerhouse capable of shifting government policy and public discourse.
Born in 1974 in Leicestershire, Hannah Walters initially worked as a drama teacher before her acting career took off. After training at Rose Bruford College, where she met her future husband Stephen Graham, she navigated the early years of their marriage by taking a backseat to ensure financial stability. While Graham pursued his acting path, Walters managed the practical realities of their household, a dynamic they jokingly describe as her handling the grown-up tasks while he focuses on the creative ones.
The couple’s professional synergy evolved significantly in 2020 when they co-founded Matriarch Productions. Based in Leicestershire, the company aims to provide opportunities for underrepresented talent and first-time creators. Their collaboration reached a new peak with the 2025 drama Adolescence, which Walters executive produced and starred in. The series, which explores the murder of a teenage girl, became a cultural phenomenon, prompting discussions in Downing Street and parliamentary meetings regarding online safety and violence against women.
Walters’ influence extends beyond the screen. She actively assists Graham with his career, reading scripts and helping him navigate his dyslexia to select projects. Her approach to production is deeply rooted in social responsibility; she views her work as a duty of care, particularly when tackling sensitive themes like self-harm or youth violence. By leveraging their platform, Walters and Graham have successfully turned their creative partnership into a tool for social change, even securing a first-look deal with Disney+ in 2026 to expand their reach.
Today, Walters is a force in her own right, balancing executive producing, directing, and acting. Whether she is appearing in gritty dramas like Time or producing award-winning series, her focus remains on starting conversations that matter. Through initiatives like their three-year arts programme for disadvantaged youth in Leicester, Walters continues to demonstrate that the impact of storytelling can extend far beyond the final cut of a film.
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