The new Netflix
crime drama series Adolescence
has been a rare phenomenon, receiving critical acclaim for its performances and execution, as well as being met with praise for tackling hard-hitting, topical issues including incels, the “manosphere,” and the dangers of social media. Now, the creator behind the series, Jack Thorne
, wants the series to play a part in tackling these issues in real-life, urging the UK government to show the drama in Parliament and in schools.
The four-part series, which details the tragic story of the Miller family, who are thrown into turmoil after 13-year-old Jamie Miller is accused of killing a female classmate. Adolescence has seen huge success since being released last week, becoming the most-streamed series in both the UK and the US within the first week. Thorne is hoping that the series “causes discussion and makes change.” Which is often something that great drama can do. He said to the BBC:
“I want it to be shown in schools, I want it to be shown in Parliament. It’s crucial because this is only going to get worse. It’s something that people need to be talking about, hopefully that’s what drama can do.”
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Much like how last year’s real-life drama Mr Bates vs The Post Office (which aired on ITV in the UK) impacted the government and forced those in power to take notice, Jack Thorne is no doubt hoping that Adolescence can have the same impact. The writer, who created the show alongside star Stephen Graham, revealed to the BBC that they had to dive down into some “dark holes” online in order to understand Jamie’s headspace, and believes that the UK government could be doing a lot more to tackle “the manosphere and incel culture” and the “loneliness and isolation” that leads young men down these paths.
“This is a show about a kid who does the wrong thing and causes great harm. To understand him, we have to understand the pressures upon him. Jamie has been polluted by ideas that he’s heard online, that make sense to him, that have a logic that’s attractive to him, that answer the questions as to his loneliness and isolation and lead him to make some very bad choices.
We have to understand the things he’s been consuming and that means especially looking at the internet, the manosphere and incel culture.”
‘Adolescence’ Has Been Met With Critical Acclaim
Adolescence has been met with critical acclaim, and currently holds a near-perfect score of 98% on Rotten Tomatoes. MovieWeb’s own Rachel Johnson heaped praise on the series, saying…
“Adolescence will take viewers on a chilling, dread-inducing journey as Jamie’s deeply buried pain, fragility, and troubling personal feelings and attitudes are examined in the fallout of the heinous crime and somber investigation.”
Created by Jack Thorne and Stephen Graham, and directed by Philip Barantini, Adolescence stars Stephen Graham as Eddie Miller, the father of Owen Cooper’s Jamie, the teenager accused of murder. The rest of the cast includes Ashley Walters (Top Boy), Erin Doherty (The Crown), Faye Marsay (Game of Thrones), Christine Tremarco (The Responder), Mark Stanley (Happy Valley), Jo Hartley (After Life), and Amélie Pease. Adolescence is now streaming on Netflix, and you can check out the official synopsis below.
“A family’s world turns upside down when 13-year-old Jamie Miller is arrested for murdering a schoolmate: the charges against their son force them to confront every parent’s worst nightmare.”
Source: BBC
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