Adolescence: The Netflix drama that will have every parent talking - Join our watch thread plus Q&A with producer and cast

[CeriMumsnet]

Premieres 13th March 2025

Read Hannah and Christine's answers to your questions here.

If you’re after a gripping new series to get stuck into, Adolescence is set to be the show of the year - and it’s one that will chill parents to the core. This tense British crime drama begins with the shocking arrest of 13-year-old Jamie Miller for the murder of a classmate. But as the investigation unfolds, the series delves into the unsettling realities of modern masculinity, online radicalisation, and the pressures facing today’s teenagers.

Filmed in South Kirby with a raw, unflinching realism, Adolescence isn’t just another crime drama - it’s a conversation starter. If you were lucky enough to catch the Mumsnet exclusive preview, you’ll know just how haunting and thought-provoking it is, with themes that resonate long after you finish watching.

Watch the trailer here:

Q&A
Adolescence Executive Producer Hannah Walters and actress Christine Tremarco who plays Jamie’s Mum will be joining us for a Q&A in the next couple of weeks, so make sure to share your questions about the show for them below.

• Hannah Walters is an actress, producer and co-founder of Matriarch Productions, an entertainment production company who aims to provide a much-needed platform for underrepresented voices and stories in the UK. Their credits include BOILING POINT (2021) and most recent TV series for the BBC. Hannah has two children with her husband Stephen Graham.

• Christine Tremarco is a British actress who along with playing Jamie’s Mum in Adolescence can also currently be seen in Channel 4’s drama series, The Gathering and in the BBC’s Kidnapped: The Chloe Ayling Story, directed by Al Mackay. Other screen credits include the BBC’s Responder opposite Martin Freeman, a series regular in Sky’s Wolfe, and Shane Meadows’ BAFTA winning series The Virtues opposite Stephen Graham.

So, what do we think? Will you be watching? Does the premise resonate with you? Let’s chat below! 👇

Will definitely give this drama a go. Looks like it's going to be an intense one!

We’re looking forward to hearing what you think. It’s certainly intense, @oddboxand I can’t remember the last time I saw such an incredible performance from a young actor.

I have watched the first episode already, such a great watch and fab acting. It is going to be intense but I can't wait to finish the series! Also great to bring awareness to this subject.

Yessss! Was just thinking I need to find something new to add to my watchlist. This looks great! Love anything Stephen Graham is in tbh

Can’t wait for this, everything Stephen Graham touches is brilliant. Will be watching tonight!

Ohhhh I have a few questions for Christine. Was this your first single-take filming experience? How was it? You were AMAZING.

And was your role the most dark role you’ve had to play?

I just watched the first episode, and wow—it was honestly so intense!! Can’t wait to see the rest!

Just watched the first episode and I'm blown away. The acting is incredible and feels like you are watching a documentary at times as its so realistic. Master class from Stevie G!

For those that have seen it. Is it ok to watch with you teen? My dd is 15 and I'd like to watch it with her.

Did it affect you at all to tackle such a dark subject matter? Also did the amount to times you had to film within one shot take its toll?

I binge watched the whole thing today. Won’t say anything that could spoil it for others, but I thought it was fully deserving of the rave reviews by critics. All the acting was incredible. The atmosphere in the school was so well conveyed. And the nuance in the performances of the various professionals in episode one was really outstanding. I also thought the person who played a large role in episode three did a stunning job of showing how one might hold oneself together while “in role” under terrible circumstances (but only just). The youngest lead, of course, was just … beyond exceptional. I don’t even know how to put my feelings into words.

I realise this risks seeming like a list of superlatives but it’s hard to avoid that with such a great production, especially given the need to avoid spoiling it. I’m so curious to see what others think when a bit of time has passed.

Its age rating on Netflix is 15. It’s a challenging watch (speaking as someone who has seen the whole thing), but the topics overall are likely things she has at least some familiarity with already. It’s not graphically violent in terms of what is actually shown on screen. I would say it’s a good thing to watch together as it might bring up some emotions/fears.

I’m looking forward to watching this tonight! I’ve been watching (and loving) a thousand blows and there’s a lot of the same cast in this so hoping it’s a goodie.

A thousand blows was fantastic

For anyone that hasn’t seen it (and I realise there won’t be many) - This Is England is an absolute must see. Best thing to ever grace television.

I was lucky to be one of the users chosen to preview all four episodes ahead of time, so I quickly went through them.

A hard watch as a parent but I do feel the underlying issue at hand is brushed over. I was hoping it would delve more into the kind of online behaviour of teens in a modern age but felt it lacked this as the episodes progressed. Although I understand that the intention was to focus on the aftermath of what's happened to the family and wider community rather than why it happened. I think that's right?

Either way it's a great watch I'll agree - the acting is impeccable, Stephen Graham superb as always and hats off to the boy who played Jamie. Episode 3's my favourite and the last 10 minutes are tear-jerking for parents IMO.

Just finished the first episode. Omg… it was intense - I felt so on edge throughout. The acting is (as expected) incredible, you really feel for the characters. Absolutely heartbreaking and moving. I think we go about thinking this is so removed from us but there’s always exceptions. Can’t wait to watch the next one, I’ve seen that it delves into themes of toxic masculinity and as a mum of boys it’s definitely something I worry about

Thanks so much - we’ll give it a go!

What did you think of the police raid in ep1? The tension was almost unbearable, and I felt so disorientated watching it. The one take heightened this, imo. When Jamie was taken away in the police van, it really did feel like we were in there with him. I'm still astonished by it!

I'm in Australia so watched the first episode last night. Outstanding. Having read the Guardian review, I knew the broad context, i.e. not a whodunnit and in no way did it diminish any aspect engagement and suspense.

The (I assume and accept) bleakly accurate portrayal of police procedure was a stunner.

Top acting all round. I'll binge watch it this weekend.

Agree! The one take sounded a bit weird beforehand but I totally get it after watching. It really sucks you in 😱

Just binged it. Amazing!

It's rated 15 so she'll be fine.

I've watched the first three episodes. Episode three is incredible, I've never seen anything like it on TV. So much to take in.

This is outstanding. Really. I’m also really impressed with how they tackled the themes, without resorting to cliche or easy answers. A difficult watch, but so well done.

Just finished episode 1 and WOW, incredible TV. So tense and so well shot and acted 👏 👏

Spoilers included

I cannot fault the actors, they were all incredible. I just wish they’d shown the destruction in Katie’s family more. Massively important subject matter but the ending felt a bit ‘woe is our family’ when the victims family didn’t get that