Bafta-winning actor and writer Lennie James is best known for portraying Morgan Jones in The Walking Dead and spin-off show Fear the Walking Dead
The Walking Dead star Lennie James has revealed that he “stopped talking” when his mum died when he was just 11 years old. The Bafta-winning actor rose to fame playing the role of Morgan Jones in the iconic show.
The 60-year-old has now opened up about his childhood and how, at the age of 11, he lost his mother, Phyllis. Due to not having a father around in his life, he was then moved to a children’s home in south London with his brother Kester. Lennie has now spoken about the situation on BBC Radio 4’s Desert Island Discs and how he and his brother dealt with it.
The star said: “I stopped talking, 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. I remember social services got involved because it was just me and him now.”
READ MORE: Strictly Come Dancing fans praise judge for ‘subtle’ Ellie Goldstein moveREAD MORE: Death in Paradise star shares daughter’s blunt verdict on major film role
Lennie explained that he paid visits to several child psychiatrists and child psychologists who were trying to work out why he wasn’t talking.
He added: “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.
“And I remember my brother going, ‘What do you want him to say?’ He goes, ‘he’ll talk when he’s ready, and then you’ll be asking him to shut up’ And he was kind of right.”
Lennie said that he and his brother “lucked out” when it came to the children’s home they lived in. The pair stayed together as well as staying at the same school, which meant they were able to keep their friends.
Years later, the children’s home was sold, and Lennie went into foster care at the age of 15, which is what inspired his Bafta-nominated drama Storm Damage.
Earlier this year the actor won the leading actor Bafta for his portrayal of Barrington Jedidiah Walker in the BBC’s TV adaptation of Bernardine Evaristo’s novel Mr Loverman.
The show followed a 74-year-old Antiguian-born man and his wife of 50 years, Carmel, who senses Barry has been cheating on her with other women.
In terms of his upcoming work, Lennie said that he wants to “challenge” himself and work on a comedy next. He said he is hoping he manages to bag himself a “big” part for his next role.
Lennie’s full interview can be heard on BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds
If you have been affected by this story, Cruse Bereavement Support offers free help to make sense of how you are feeling. Click here for their website or call 0808 808 1677.
Like this story? For more of the latest showbiz news and gossip, follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Threads.
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: mirror.co.uk
