When Adolescence premiered on Netflix in March 2025, it was hailed as one of the most unsettling teen dramas ever attempted. Six months later it became an Emmy juggernaut, winning eight awards including Outstanding Limited Series – and propelling 15-year-old Owen Cooper into the history books as the youngest male actor ever to take home an Emmy, honored for his heartbreaking turn as Jamie Miller. With Stephen Graham also recognized for his work as both star and co-creator, director Philip Barantini’s bold four-part experiment in real-time storytelling has cemented its status as one of Netflix’s most daring successes.
Here is everything you need to know about Adolescence – from the plot and cast to its inspirations, reviews, and behind-the-scenes secrets. The trailer is at the bottom of the article.
All the key details about Adolescence
- Title: Adolescence
- Format: Miniseries (4 episodes, 60 minutes each)
- Genre: Psychological drama, crime
- Country of production: United Kingdom
- Original language: English
- Year of release: 2025
- Director / Creator: Philip Barantini
- Main cast: Stephen Graham, Owen Cooper, Ashley Walters, Erin Doherty
- Produced by: Netflix
What happens in Adolescence?
The Miller family’s quiet suburban life collapses when 13-year-old Jamie is arrested on suspicion of killing a schoolmate. Over four tense episodes, the miniseries follows the investigation and its devastating impact on the family. Every step of the process – the police raid on their home, the interrogations, the desperate family arguments – unfolds in real time, immersing viewers in the claustrophobic atmosphere of doubt, fear, and love stretched to breaking point.
Rather than offering neat answers, Adolescence asks searing questions: who bears responsibility for acts of violence among young people? What pressures drive a teenager to the edge? And how does a family survive when trust itself becomes fragile?
Also read ► Is Netflix’s Adolescence based on a true story? The disturbing inspiration behind the Emmy-winning miniseries
Who’s in the cast of Adolescence?
Stephen Graham (Boiling Point, Bodies) anchors the series as Eddie Miller, the father at the heart of the story. Already one of Britain’s most respected actors, Graham added another Emmy to his name here, cementing his reputation as both performer and creative force.
The emotional core belongs to Owen Cooper, who had never acted professionally before stepping into the role of Jamie Miller. Just 14 when the show was filmed, Cooper delivers a performance of rare intensity and fragility – one that not only captivated critics but also earned him an Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actor, making him the youngest male winner in the award’s history.
Erin Doherty (The Crown) also had reason to celebrate: her turn as psychologist Briony Ariston earned her the Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actress, a testament to the nuance she brings to every scene. Ashley Walters (Top Boy) delivers steady authority as Detective Luke Bascombe, while Faye Marsay, Christine Tremarco, and Mark Stanley enrich the ensemble with layered performances that keep the drama grounded and authentic.
Is Adolescence based on a true story?
No – Adolescence is not drawn from a single real-life case. But its roots are firmly grounded in contemporary fears. Executive producer and star Stephen Graham has said the project was born after hearing repeated news of youth violence in the UK: teenagers stabbing classmates, social media feeding toxic peer pressure, and families blindsided by tragedy.
Screenwriter Jack Thorne called it “the scariest writing journey of my career,” while Barantini insisted the goal was not to exploit horror but to confront the uncomfortable truths of adolescence in a society that often fails its youth.
What are the reviews on Adolescence?
From its London preview screenings, critics praised Barantini’s decision to shoot each episode in one unbroken take, a technique that created what some described as “a bruising experiment in intimacy.” Others highlighted the rawness of performances that feel impossible to look away from. Audiences agreed: on Rotten Tomatoes, Adolescence holds a remarkable 99% rating.
That acclaim was validated at the Emmys, where the series took home eight awards, including Outstanding Limited Series. Reviewers have since pointed to its historic haul – and Owen Cooper’s record-breaking win – as proof that Adolescence is not just a bold experiment but one of the defining television achievements of the year.
Where was Adolescence filmed?
The miniseries was filmed in and around London, with locations ranging from suburban houses to crowded schools and police stations. Each set had to be designed with meticulous care to allow for the unbroken camera movement central to Barantini’s vision.
Adolescence: behind the scenes
The most distinctive feature of Adolescence is its filming technique. Each episode was captured in a single continuous take, with no hidden edits. To pull this off, cinematographer Matthew Lewis used a DJI Ronin 4D rig, handing the camera from operator to operator like a relay baton. In one sequence, the camera moves from a van, through the Miller family’s home, into a police car, and finally into an interrogation room – all without cutting.
The second episode, set in a bustling school, required coordinating hundreds of extras with pinpoint timing, while the third stripped things back to a bare interrogation chamber, relying on micro-shifts in performance to maintain tension. The result is less a conventional drama than a theatrical choreography caught on film.
What’s Adolescence like?
Adolescence is a disturbing but deeply human portrait of teenage turmoil and family breakdown. It blends the immersive tension of Boiling Point with the raw social questions of Top Boy and the psychological intensity of Mare of Easttown. If you’re drawn to bold experiments that stretch the boundaries of television, this miniseries is a must-watch.
When is Adolescence coming out on streaming?
Available now. Adolescence is already streaming on Netflix, where it has ranked in the platform’s global Top 10 since release. Release date: March 13, 2025. Watch on Netflix.
Watch the trailer
If you haven’t watched this Emmy-winning miniseries yet, here’s your chance to get a first look:
