James Graham’s writing obsession started at the age of six in the shadow of Nottinghamshire's former coalmines. Equipped with a typewriter from his mother he created hundreds of stories from the family home in Kirkby-in-Ashfield.

Accelerating through university in Hull and a writing residency in west London, Graham’s work started to attract wider audiences following a break at the National Theatre in 2012. Building on his thrilling political drama This House, he went on to write plays and TV series including Sherwood, Dear England, Quiz, Best of Enemies and Brexit: The Uncivil War.

During this year’s MacTaggart lecture at the Edinburgh TV Festival, he called for more working-class people in TV.

But what next for this prolific playwright? Stephen Smith speaks to his family, friends and colleagues to find out more.

ContributorsAnne Ellis - MotherDavid Morrissey - Actor Kate Wasserberg - Artistic Director, Theatr ClwydDr Sarah Jane Dickenson - Senior Lecturer, University of HullMartin Humphrey - Former Head of Creative Arts, Ashfield School, NottinghamSusannah Clapp - Theatre Critic for The Observer

Production teamProducers: Julie Ball, Ben Cooper, Miriam QuayyamEditor: Ben MundySound: John ScottProduction Co-ordinator: Maria Ogundele

Archive2012 National Theatre production of This House written by James Graham and directed by Jeremy Herrin.The cast in the extract features Phil Daniels playing Bob Mellish, Philip Glenister playing Walter Harrisonand Lauren O’Neil playing Ann Taylor.

PictureBBC/PA Media