Stephen Graham has returned to screens today in new Netflix show, Adolescence. The crime drama tells the story of the Miller family, whose lives are turned upside down when their 13 year old son Jamie is arrested on suspicion of murder. The four-part series interrogates the harrowing question of “what would you do if your teenage son was accused of murder?”
Every episode has landed on Netflix today and Stephen has earned rave reviews for the unflinching way he has tackled such a difficult subject. The Telegraph gave it a five-star review and said: “It is a drama so quietly devastating that I won’t forget it for a very long time.” The Guardian gave a similar verdict, with five stars and a glowing description as “the closest thing to TV perfection in decades.”
Rolling Stone critic Alan Sepinwall said: “This is not an easy watch… But in what Adolescence has to say, and in how eloquently and audaciously it says it, it’s also among the very best things — and an early contender for the best thing — you will see on the small screen this year.”
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Scouse actor Stephen Graham stars as Jamie’s (Owen Cooper) dad, who attempts to navigate life after his son is accused of the horrendous crime. The show has a unique filming style with every episode filmed in one continuous shot. The story unfolds in real time as the main characters search for answers in the wake of a shocking tragedy.
The London Evening Standard wrote: “Putting aside the technical skill involved in making a show like this (which is surely titanic), everybody in this series is wonderful.” Daniel Fienberg of The Hollywood Reporter also spoke highly of the series: “Fortunately, the camerawork mostly complements both a plot with unsettling contemporary resonance and the human characters, played exceptionally well by the likes of Stephen Graham, Ashley Walters, Erin Doherty and spectacular newcomer Owen Cooper.”
The New York Times added another positive review for the “emotionally complex” series. Margaret Lyons wrote: “It uses its pain and shock as a side door into interesting questions and social critiques. It’s about a teen, but its ideas are adult.”
Over a 13-month period, the episodes each have different backdrops and time frames. Episode one is about Jamie’s arrest, while episode two unfolds in the aftermath of the crime when police visit his comprehensive school for insights. The third episode is set several months on, when Jamie meets with his child psychologist. Lyons described it as “the show’s best episode, and one of the more fascinating hours of TV I’ve seen in a long time.”
The show has 100% on Rotten Tomatoes and also received many five star reviews. One stellar review reads: “Adolescence is heartbreaking and unnerving with fantastic performances, especially from young Owen Cooper.” The positive reception didn’t end there, as other critics agreed: “It’s technical genius feeding a story in the best possible way” and “Adolescence isn’t just an entertaining series (though it is, in some warped way); it’s one of the most important series I’ve seen in a long time.”
General audiences have been just as impressed and took to social media following its release. One wrote: “Wow what an emotional rollercoaster. I feel this should be shown in high schools. A very strong message is being made. Incredible cast and brilliantly produced/directed.” More added to the conversation on X: “Fantastic acting all the way around and the emotions Stephen Graham can express facially are astounding. Superb and moving tv show.”
Stephen Graham co-wrote the series with Jack Thorne and the story was inspired by tragic real life events. He told the Radio Times in an interview: “Where it came from, for me. Is there was an incident in Liverpool, a young girl, and she was stabbed to death by a young boy. I just thought, why? Then there was another young girl in south London who was stabbed to death at a bus stop.
“And there was this thing up North, where that young girl Brianna Ghey was lured into the park by two teenagers, and they stabbed her. I just thought, what’s going on? What is this that’s happening?”
The series tackles these serious themes, with young Owen Cooper at the forefront of the harrowing tale. Adolescence is available to stream on Netflix now.