Lennie James Says He Stopped Talking When He Was a Child After His Mother Died

Lennie James Opens Up About Childhood Struggles on BBC Radio 4

BAFTA-winning actor and writer Lennie James has opened up about a formative period in his life during an interview with BBC Radio 4’s Desert Island Discs. James, known for roles such as Mr Loverman and The Walking Dead, detailed how he stopped talking after the death of his mother at the age of 11. This revelation comes from a poignant conversation that aired on Sunday, October 25th, 2023.

The Impact of His Mother’s Death

James recalled that following his mother’s passing and with his father absent, he was placed in a children’s home in south London with his brother Kester. “I stopped talking,” James said. “And so I had the view of the back of my brother’s head again, because he kind of stepped in front of me and kind of looked out for me.” This period of silence was not just a personal struggle but also attracted attention from social services.

Mental Health and Early Intervention

James described how his lack of speech led to multiple visits with child psychiatrists and psychologists. “There were quite a few visits to child psychiatrists and child psychologists, and everybody wanting to know why I wasn’t talking,” he remembered. In one particularly poignant moment, James recounted a meeting where a social worker urged him to speak: “I remember my meeting with a social worker because I would make myself known to my brother, speak through him, and we’re in a meeting, and the social worker (was) saying that she was someone I could talk to and that I could trust, and that they’re very worried about me because they need to know what I’m feeling, and why won’t I talk.” His brother’s response, “what do you want him to say?” reflected a deep understanding of his brother’s protective role.

Reflections on the Children’s Home

The actor spoke positively about their time in the children’s home, saying they had “lucked out” by staying together and maintaining many of their friendships. “We stayed together, stayed at the same school, stayed in the same neighbourhood,” James said. The positive experience was not without its challenges, however; the home eventually sold, leading to a transition into foster care.

Inspiration for Future Work

James’s experiences also influenced his creative work. After spending time in foster care and helping out at a children’s home that had been turned into a privately run facility, he drew inspiration for his Bafta-nominated drama Storm Damage. “I wrote Storm Damage about the first two years of my foster family’s children’s home and the kids that were there and the work that they were doing,” James explained. This personal connection to his subject matter allowed him to create a powerful piece of television, reflecting on both the challenges faced by young people in care and the dedication of those working to support them.

Reflecting on his career choices, Lennie James expressed a desire for continued challenge: “I want to do something funny.

I still want to be challenged. I still want the fear of getting it wrong and the joy of getting it right, or some way towards getting it right.” This statement encapsulates not only his creative ambitions but also the resilience that has seen him through both personal challenges and professional successes.