Stephen Graham’s gripping new Netflix drama inspired by terrifying trend (Image: NETFLIX)
Netflix is all set to captivate viewers with its latest four-part drama, Adolescence, a potent show that promises to be one of the year’s standout offerings.
Drawn from the heart-wrenching true stories that have hit the British news, this series emerges from the ingenious minds behind the acclaimed one-shot film and TV series Boiling Point.
Bringing intense storytelling to the forefront, Adolescence delves into the devastating repercussions on a family when their teenage son becomes entangled in a grave accusation.
Owen Cooper stars as Jamie Miller, the teen whose arrest for a classmate’s murder sends shockwaves through his average family.
Stephen Graham and Christine Tremarco portray Jamie’s distraught parents, Eddie and Manda, who plunge into a desperate quest for answers.
Jamie’s parents are desperate to know the truth (Image: NETFLIX)
The creative force driving this arresting narrative is none other than lauded screenwriter Jack Thorne, in collaboration with Boiling Point director Philip Barantini, crafting an immersive experience by filming each episode in a single continuous take.
In addition to the talented core cast, Adolescence boasts performances from some of the industry’s finest, including Top Boy’s Ashley Walters and The Crown alum Erin Doherty, alongside Faye Marsay, Mark Stanley, and Jo Hartley.
Although anticipated to be one of the most riveting crime thrillers to date, the series finds its roots in a sombre reality – the alarming spike in knife crime involving young individuals throughout the UK has provided a tragic backdrop to the storyline.
During the Next on event previewing 2025’s highlights, Graham shared insights into the genesis of the project: “The idea came as – over the past 10 years or so – we’ve seen an epidemic of knife crime amongst young lads, up and down the country.
“And for me, there were certain instances that really stuck out where young boys – and they are young boys, you know, they’re not men – were killing young girls.”
Each episode is filmed in one continuous shot (Image: NETFLIX)
Adolescence is set to shock audiences with an unflinching look into the mindset of teenagers behind atrocious crimes and the devastating effect on the victims’ circles and communities.
Reflecting on the project, the creator shared a personal moment, divulging: “When I mentioned it to Phil, it just really hit me hard. I just thought, ‘Why? What’s going on? What’s happening? Why is this the case?
“‘What’s going on with our society as a whole, as a collective?’ When these things are on the news – and we’re a couple of kids from council estates – but when these things are on the news, your judgement instantly goes to blaming the family, you blame the mum and dad.”
The creator then mused over the common rush to judgment, admitting, “We’re all guilty of it, because that’s the easy common denominator. I just thought, ‘what if that’s not the case at all?’ That was it.”
The hard-hitting drama intends to focus sharply on how easily young males can be swayed into violence by placing Jamie’s parents at the heart of its story. Adopting a Boiling Point-esque presentation, the show promises to glue viewers to the screen, ensuring an intense viewing experience that captures every nuance of the cascading crisis.
Director Barantini elaborated on the immersive aspect of the filming style, saying: “We’re all guilty of watching stuff with one eye on our phones, but for something like this, it’s so compulsive, that you can’t miss a beat.
“And that’s the idea, that it adds to the tension and to the anxiety, which is an immersive experience for the actors as well.”
Highlighting the relentless nature of the format, he concluded: “You get the best performance because they’re in it. They’re living it. And there’s no cuts at all, so for one hour you have to be in character.”
Adolescence will be released Thursday, 13th March on .