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Stephen Graham’s latest project, Adolescence, has taken the world by storm, becoming an unexpected global hit on Netflix. The four-part series, released on March 14, follows the harrowing story of a 13-year-old boy accused of murder and the impact on his family and community.
Graham, best known for playing tough characters in Boardwalk Empire and The Irishman, not only stars in Adolescence as the boy’s father but also co-wrote the series with Philip Barantini.
While Graham expected the show to perform well in the UK, he was caught off guard by its massive success in India. In an interview with Rolling Stone, he shared his shock upon hearing the news:
“I got a text from a mate of mine, telling me how big Adolescence is in India. And my first response was, ‘Hold on… did you say India?! Did I hear you correctly?’ Apparently, it’s really striking a nerve there.”
The series quickly climbed to the top of Netflix’s most-watched list globally, with its themes resonating far beyond its British setting. Graham likened its success to a ripple effect, saying it was surreal to see it travel so far.
The idea for Adolescence came to Graham in an unexpected moment—during a car ride with Barantini after an awards show. He recalled having the entire show mapped out in his mind at that moment, swearing on his late mother’s life.
Though the series feels like it could be ripped from the headlines, Graham clarified that it is not based on a single true story but rather inspired by multiple real-life cases that deeply disturbed him. He pointed out that these crimes were not committed by men but by boys, a chilling reality that stuck with him.
To make the series feel as raw and immersive as possible, Graham and Barantini used a single-take filming style in several scenes.
The cast features Owen Cooper, a 14-year-old newcomer, in the lead role of the accused boy, with The Crown’s Erin Doherty playing the psychologist. Graham himself delivers an emotionally intense performance as the boy’s father, grappling with the devastating fallout of the crime.