Netflix crime drama Adolescence starring Kirby’s own Stephen Graham has already captivated audiences with the release of its first trailer.
The dark crime drama, set to premiere next month, tells the harrowing story of 13-year-old Jamie Miller (Owen Cooper), who is arrested after being accused of murdering a teenage girl from his school.
The series boasts an impressive cast, including Peaky Blinders star Stephen Graham as Jamie’s father, Eddie Miller, A Thousand Blows actress Erin Doherty as clinical psychologist Briony Ariston, and Top Boy’s Ashley Walters as Detective Inspector Luke Bascombe.
What sets Adolescence apart is its groundbreaking filming technique. The entire four-part series was shot in one continuous take. Director Philip Barantini, known for the acclaimed one-shot film Boiling Point, shared insights into the process with Deadline.
“Jack Thorne [the co-writer] had never written anything like this,” Barantini explained. “He’s done amazing theatre, but with this, there is no curtain call. The camera is always following someone.”
Jack Thorne, the BAFTA-winning writer behind His Dark Materials, described the challenge of crafting the script. “It was very complicated to write,” he said. “I’m not allowed to cut away to go anywhere else. The camera doesn’t blink in this show, and by being unblinking, it allows for a certain rawness and honesty.”
The trailer opens with heavily armed police storming the Miller family home, arresting Jamie and leaving his parents in despair. Jamie is taken for interrogation, with his father Eddie present as his ‘appropriate adult’ to support him during questioning.
As the story unfolds, it’s revealed that a girl from Jamie’s school has been killed, and he is the prime suspect. Clinical psychologist Briony Ariston (Erin Doherty) questions Jamie, while his mother, Manda Miller (Christine Tremarco), breaks down in tears.
One particularly chilling scene shows Eddie and Jamie sitting together in the interrogation room, both crying, as Stephen Graham’s character whispers to his son: “What have you done?”
Another scene features Jamie in a heated exchange with Briony, smacking a drink off the table and launching into an explosive rant.
The trailer ends with a voiceover stating, “It’s crazy what your brain tells you to do when you’re a kid,” as Jamie stares directly into the camera with a neutral expression.
The trailer has already generated significant buzz, with fans praising the performances and the innovative one-shot format, while others have been left wondering if it will be too intense for them.
On YouTube, @toxichazard5015 commented: “Stephen Graham is astounding in everything he does. The most underrated British actor, in my opinion. Ashley Walters has been underutilised since Top Boy. I have high hopes for this one!”
Another user, @thisgirlwhodis4495, wrote: “This is filmed in one continuous shot. It looks like it’s going to be amazing.”
Meanwhile, @Najeebster said: “Stephen Graham is one of the finest actors around, but I’m not sure if I have the stomach for this harrowing drama.”
Adolescence premieres on Thursday, March 13 on Netflix.
