
The British miniseries titled “Adolescence” has emerged as Netflix’s standout series of the season, and rightfully so. Co-creator and writer Jack Thorne’s third thought-provoking social drama to appear on U.S. streaming services within two months, following the premiere of “Best Interests” and “Toxic Town” on Netflix in February, this gripping tale about a 13-year-old boy accused of murdering a female classmate resonates deeply with the influence of social media and the paradoxical term “incel culture” on vulnerable young minds.
The ensemble cast, spearheaded by co-creator and writer Stephen Graham (of “Peaky Blinders”) and featuring outstanding performances from “Top Boy”‘s Ashley Walters, Graham’s “A Thousand Blows” co-star Erin Doherty (“The Crown,” “Chloe”), seasoned actress Christine Tremarco, and newcomer Owen Cooper as the young defendant, is a testament to the wealth of underrated talent in UK television.
The series is also a technical masterpiece, with director Philip Barantini’s camera seamlessly tracking characters through each episode in a single, dynamic shot. [Read about the most poignant—and heart-wrenching—moment in the “Adolescence” finale.]