‘I’d tell my younger self that this will pass’: Sherlock actor Rupert Graves reveals he attempted suicide during teenage battle with ‘deep depression’
- The screen star, 57, is best known for playing Inspector Lestrade on the BBC crime series
- In a new interview, Rupert recalled the moment he ‘knocked himself out’ after taking an overdose
- The thespian said he’d advise his younger self to ‘be kind’ and insisted the rough stage ‘passes’ with time
- The father-of-five is set to star in the third series of Sky Atlantic’ Riviera alongside Julia Stiles, which explores illegal art dealing
- If you have been affected by this story, you can call the Samaritans on 116 123 or visit www.samaritans.org
Sherlock actor Rupert Graves revealed he attempted suicide at the age of 15 during a teenage battle with ‘deep depression’.
In a new interview the screen star, 57, who is best known for playing Inspector Lestrade on the BBC crime series, recalled the moment he ‘knocked himself out’ after taking an overdose.
The thespian said he’d advise his younger self to ‘be kind’ and insisted the rough stage ‘passes’ with time.
Mental health struggle: Sherlock actor Rupert Graves revealed he attempted suicide at the age of 15 during a teenage battle with ‘deep depression’ (pictured in 2018)
‘When I was about 15 I took an overdose to try to die’, Rupert told Big Issue magazine. ‘I remember my senses closing down. I had a thought of, I think I’m going to die. And I’m not even sure I want to die. Then I vomited so much I knocked myself out.’
On reflection, the TV star, who grew up in Somerset, shared words of encouragement with his teenage self.
He said: ‘If I could go back I’d probably just sit down and hold my younger self’s hand and say, ‘listen, it will pass’. And while you’re waiting for it to pass, just try and be kind to yourself and hyper-aware of what’s happening.
‘You feel overwhelmed, but rather than giving up, stand up and remain aware. Try to be generous to yourself. This amount of life coming at you, that’s when you can actually learn.’
Well recognised: The screen star, 57, is best known for playing Inspector Lestrade on the BBC crime series (pictured on show in 2010)
‘Rather than giving up, stand up and remain aware’: The thespian said he’d advise his younger self to ‘be kind’ and insisted the rough stage ‘passes’ with time (pictured in 2018)
In February 2019, it emerged that the teenage suicide rate had almost doubled in eight years.
Figures showed the rate among children aged between 15 and 19 had risen, despite falling for most other age groups.
The provisional Office for National Statistics data for 2018 revealed that suicides are running at more than five in 100,000 among teenagers in England.
Big break: The TV star appeared in romance film A Room With A View alongside the likes of Helena Bonham Carter and Judi Dench in 1985 (pictured R with Simon Callow)
Rupert started his career as a circus clown and worked in Butlins, where he was approached by an agent.
He went on to star in romance film A Room With A View alongside the likes of Helena Bonham Carter and Judi Dench in 1985, and has since starred in big TV and movie productions including Emma, The White Queen and Made In Dagenham.
The father-of-five is set to star in third series of Sky Atlantic’s Riviera alongside Julia Stiles, which will be released on Thursday.
The drama explores the rapidly, and often illegally, made fortunes amassed by art dealing.
Exciting times ahead: The father-of-five is set to star in third series of Sky Atlantic’s Riviera alongside Julia Stiles, which will be released on Thursday (pictured)
On filming scenes in St Tropez, he recently told Weekend magazine: ‘It was sort of demi James Bond-y.
‘When you’re there, you realise it’s a sort of mirror for rich people to look into. That’s why they pay £20,000 a night – because they can, and because there’s no point in being super-rich if you only have to pay £140 a night.’
Rupert is married to Australian production coordinator Suzanne Lewis and the couple share five kids aged from 17 to nine – Ella, Zoe, Isaac, Joseph and Noah.
If you have been affected by this story, you can call the Samaritans on 116 123 or visit www.samaritans.org.
Family man: Rupert is married to production coordinator Suzanne Lewis and the couple share five kids aged from 17 to nine – Ella, Zoe, Isaac, Joseph and Noah (four of five pictured in 2017)