Stephen Graham opens up on tragic real-life inspiration behind ‘compulsive’ new Netflix drama

Acclaimed prima Stephen Graham opens up astir the terrifying real-life inspiration down his aggravated upcoming play connected Netflix

Netflix’s upcoming four-part play Adolescence is shaping up to beryllium 1 of the champion shows of the twelvemonth and is inspired by immoderate tragic existent stories from the British headlines.

From the superb originative squad down the one-shot movie and TV bid Boiling Point comes a hard-hitting play astir a shocking accusation against a young teenage lad that shatters the lives of a seemingly mean family.

When Jamie Miller (played by Owen Cooper) is arrested for the execution of a classmate, his horrified parents Eddie (Stephen Graham) and Manda (Christine Tremarco) effort to unearth the truth.

Acclaimed screenwriter Jack Thorne helms the bid with Boiling Point manager Philip Barantini, who films each occurrence successful 1 continuous changeable putting viewers successful the midst of the action.

The all-star formed besides includes Top Boy’s Ashley Walters and The Crown’s Erin Doherty, positive Faye Marsay, Christine Tremarco, Mark Stanley and Jo Hartley.

While the bid promises to beryllium 1 of the astir gripping transgression thrillers of the year, the cardinal premise was inspired by a sobering inclination that has devastated parts of the UK successful caller years.

Speaking astatine the Next connected Netflix lawsuit for 2025, Graham explained: “The thought came arsenic - implicit the past 10 years oregon truthful - we’ve seen an epidemic of weapon transgression amongst young lads, up and down the country.

“And for me, determination were definite instances that truly stuck retired wherever young boys - and they are young boys, you know, they're not men - were sidesplitting young girls.”

The shocking bid volition delve into the psyche of teenagers committing these horrific crimes and the traumatising interaction they person connected the victims’ friends, families and neighbourhoods.

“When I mentioned it to Phil, it conscionable truly deed maine hard. I conscionable thought, ‘Why? What's going on? What's happening? Why is this the case?

“‘What's going connected with our nine arsenic a whole, arsenic a collective?’ When these things are connected the quality - and we’re a mates of kids from assembly estates - but erstwhile these things are connected the news, your judgement instantly goes to blaming the family, you blasted the mum and dad.

“We’re each blameworthy of it, due to the fact that that's the casual communal denominator. I conscionable thought, ‘what if that's not the lawsuit astatine all?’ That was it.”

By putting Jamie’s parents beforehand and centre successful the drama, Adolescence volition daringly interrogate however young boys are lured into committing convulsive acts.

The Boiling Point-style format volition besides guarantee you ne'er look distant from the unfolding fall-out, making the upcoming play a taxing yet eye-opening viewing experience.

Director Barantini added: “We're each blameworthy of watching worldly with 1 oculus connected our phones, but for thing similar this, it's truthful compulsive, that you can't miss a beat.

“And that's the idea, that it adds to the hostility and to the anxiety, which is an immersive acquisition for the actors arsenic well.

“You get the champion show due to the fact that they're successful it. They’re surviving it. And there's nary cuts astatine all, truthful for 1 hr you person to beryllium successful character.”

Adolescence volition beryllium released Thursday, 13th March connected Netflix.