Hard-hitting new drama Adolescence with Stephen Graham is out now
It's being dubbed one of the best TV shows ever made
Appearing in titles such as Line of Duty, Peaky Blinders and Boiling Point, Liverpudlian Stephen Graham is no stranger to a popular TV show and movie, but critics are dubbing his latest creation as 'one of the best TV shows' ever made.
Dropping on streaming platform Netflix on 13th March, Stephen co-wrote and appears in a hard-hitting crime series called Adolescence, which was filmed in continuous one-shot style, the same as his 2021 movie Boiling Point. The four-part series also stars Missing You actor Ashely Walters and The Crown's Erin Doherty, as well as many other famous names from the world of entertainment.
What is the show about?
Stephen teamed up with multi-award winner Jack Thorne to create the series, who is responsible for shows such as Kin, His Dark Materials and Joy.
The official Netflix synopsis says: 'Adolescence tells the story of how a family’s world is turned upside down when 13-year-old Jamie Miller is arrested for the murder of a teenage girl who goes to his school.'
Speaking to Radio Times about the creative decision to film each episode in one-shot, Stephen said: “I think what the one-shot does is makes you sit up and you can’t take your eyes off it, because if you do blink for a second you miss something. It draws the audience in.”
Check out the first look photos below:
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Is it based on a true story?
Although Adolescence isn't based on a specific true story, co-creator Stephen Graham has revealed the plot of the show was created after hearing about knife crimes in the news.
Speaking to Tudum, Stephen said: “There was an incident where a young boy allegedly stabbed a girl. It shocked me. I was thinking, ‘What’s going on? What’s happening in society where a boy stabs a girl to death? What’s the inciting incident here?’ And then it happened again, and it happened again, and it happened again. I really just wanted to shine a light on it, and ask, ‘Why is this happening today? What’s going on? How have we come to this?’”
Is there a trailer?
Yes, the hard-hitting trailer was released at the beginning of March. You can watch the trailer for Adolescence below:
When is it out?
All episodes dropped on Thursday 13th March 2025.
How can I watch it?
Adolescence is available to watch on streaming platform Netflix.
How many episodes?
The mini-series is made up of four episodes.
Who is in the cast?
Adolescence is made up of a star-studded cast, with co-creator Stephen Graham also playing the role of father Eddie Miller. Owen Cooper plays the lead role of teenager Jamie Miller, whilst Christine Tremarco plays his mum.
Top Boy actor Ashley Walters also appears Detective Inspector Luke Bascombe, whilst The Crown actress Erin Doherty plays Briony Ariston, the clinical psychologist assigned to the case.
See the full cast below:
Owen Cooper as Jamie Miller
Stephen Graham as Eddie Miller
Christine Tremarco as Manda Miller
Ashley Walters as Detective Inspector Luke Bascombe
Erin Doherty as Briony Ariston
Faye Marsay as DS Micha Frank
Mark Stanley as Paul Barlow
Jo Hartley as Mrs Fenumore
Amélie Pease as Lisa Miller
Austin Haynes as Fredo
Speaking to Radio Times about his involvement in the show, Ashley Walter admitted he was about to quit acting before getting a call from Stephen Graham, admitting he was keen to just focus on directing.
He said: "So I came, didn't realise how intense it was going to be, but it was so intense. The challenge was great. I was crying into my script most nights in the apartment, so scared I'm not going to remember the material. But actually, coming out of it, I grew. There was a newfound love for the craft and what I do.
"So it was intense, but really challenging and beautiful at the end of it for me."
Where was it filmed?
The majority of the show's filming took place in South Kirkby, Yorkshire, with the school scenes being filmed in Sheffield. A number of the street scenes were filmed in and around London.
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Adolescence is available to watch on Netflix now.
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