Stephen Graham shared the story on an American talk show
Adolescence star Stephen Graham has disclosed that he underwent “emergency surgery” on a plane after noticing “pure blood”. The Liverpool-born actor not only starred in but also co-wrote the series, which tells the tale of his 13-year-old son Jamie Miller (Owen Cooper) being arrested for the murder of his schoolmate Katie Leonard (Emilia Holliday).
Comprising four episodes, each shot in a single take, the series explores themes such as misogyny, youth violence and mental health. Topping Netflix’s viewing charts in 93 countries globally, the series is one of the most lauded this year and is set to be screened in schools across the UK.
As Adolescence prepares for the TV awards season, Stephen made an appearance on the American talk show Late Night with Seth Meyers this week, reports the Manchester Evening News.
During his interview, the 51-year-old actor revealed that he had to have a surgical catheter inserted after passing blood several hours into a flight.
Recalling his growing concern when he was unable to urinate, Stephen said: “I’m like, ‘Oh, this doesn’t feel right.'”
“I knew I had to, and then silly Stephen thought, ‘Oh, well, if I go back to my seat and I just keep drinking water, at some point it will happen’.”
An hour later, still experiencing symptoms, Stephen went to the plane’s toilet and noticed that “it was just pure blood”.
“I couldn’t stop this trajectory of blood and I’m having a slight panic attack. I’m about to cry and I’m having a moment,” he shared with Seth.
Remembering he had taken a selfie with a doctor on the bus to the plane, Stephen sought his advice. “Next minute, the doctor comes around the corner, and he goes, ‘Stephen!’ and I’m like ‘Doc, hello!’, and I explained the situation.
“He had another friend with him, who was a surgeon, so I’m there, and I explain. He’s like, ‘okay’ and the surgeon, Dr Haji, says, ‘we can work this out’.”
The lounge area between the economy and first class sections was subsequently sanitised, and a catheter was retrieved from an emergency medical kit.
With the curtains drawn for privacy, Stephen revealed that he was positioned on a sofa and underwent a catheter procedure right then and there.
“The relief was unbelievable as you can imagine. It was a little clot that had got stuck behind, well, not little, but, had got stuck behind my urethra. I went to the toilet, and it was one of the nicest experiences with me and my penis,” he quipped.
Reflecting on the ordeal, Stephen told the host that he “came running out like a child who had just mastered using the loo”.
