legend has given telly addicts his seal of approval on a controversial new show that’s causing quite a stir thanks to his hard-hitting storylines and gripping actor performances. new crime drama mini-series, Adolescence only dropped on the streaming platform last week (Thursday, March 13) but has already earned a perfect 100% on Rotten Tomatoes based on critic reviews, and viewers at home have been equally impressed.
Starring acting royalty , 51, the heartbreaking drama follows the story of a family whose world is turned upside down when their 13 year old son, Jamie Miller, is arrested for the murder of a schoolmate, forcing them to face “every parent’s worst nightmare.”
Now, Tony, 82, has offered fans his own review of the show, urging them to tune in. Taking to and X, he wrote: “This is the most amazing piece of TV I’ve seen for a long time. The cast, production and filming is just perfect It’s quite simple one of the best dramas I have ever seen and is a four part series. I loved it and should receive every award going. Brilliant!!”
BBC legend Tony Blackburn has given his seal of approval on the new show (Image: Getty)
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Tony’s followers were quick to comment in agreement of his praise, with many applauding the acting talents of Owen Cooper who stars as accused child murderer, Jamie Miller. One user replied:”Totally agree. I binge watched which I rarely do. Absolutely brilliant cast, superb acting. Heartbreaking.” While someone else added: “I agree and that young boy was brilliant in it.”
Another person added: “I agree. It was a very hard watch but completely compelling. It just shows what the children of today have to contend with. I’m rather pleased I had mine in 1982 and 1990. An eye opener, certainly.” And a fourth user penned: “I absolutely agree, I binged it over the weekend, amazing acting.”
Adolescene boasts a stellar cast including Top Boy’s Ashley Walters as DI Luke Bascombe, who is tasked with the responsibilty of finding out the truth about the murder. star Stephen Graham as Eddie Miller, Jamie’s dad, and Game of Thrones actress Faye Marsay as DS Misha Frank, all under the direction of Philip Barantini.
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The show has gripped viewers not only with its intense narrative but also through its innovative filming approach. Presented in a unique single-shot, real-time format, the four-episode drama chronicles key phases of the legal ordeal, from Jamie’s initial arrest to the cusp of his judicial fate.
Adolescene also marks the screenwriting debut of acclaimed actor Stephen Graham, who stars as Jamie’s father, Eddie. Set against the backdrop of an unspecified town in Northern England, the universal themes have proven to be impactful for viewers.
Though not based on any specific incident, the story pulls from real societal issues impacting today’s youth amidst the digital era. Stephen shed light on the motivation behind the series: “One of our aims was to ask, ‘What is happening to our young men these days, and what are the pressures they face from their peers, from the internet and from social media?’ And the pressures that come from all of those things are as difficult for kids here as they are the world over.”
The concept had been brewing within him for some time. As a parent to Grace, aged 20, and Alfie, aged 18, the surge of teenage knife crimes deeply troubled Stephen. He revealed his impetus: “I just thought, ‘I need to write something, or create something that addresses this situation and holds up a mirror to what is going on’.”
‘s says its latest series delves into the harrowing issues of social media, online bullying, and the widening gap between children and parents out of touch with their children’s hobbies.
The streaming giant highlighted how ‘Adolescence’ tackles the pervasive issue of toxic masculinity that belittles girls and warps boys’ expectations, examining the rise of misogyny among online groups of young men.
However, Stephen emphasised that the show isn’t an indictment of social media but aims to spark a dialogue on a “thought-provoking” subject to captivate audiences. To ensure authenticity, the cast conducted thorough research for their roles.
Adolescene is available to stream on .
Stephen Graham stars in the poignant crime drama (Image: Netflix)