Adolescence
'Did I hear you correctly?': Adolescence co-creator Stephen Graham in disbelief over Netflix show's popularity in India
British actor Stephen Graham, who is best known for his roles in This Is England, The Irishman, Snatch, was certainly not expecting his recent Netflix web series, Adolescence, that has triggered sweeping responses from the audience to make waves in India.
Graham, who played the father of protagonist Jamie Miller portrayed by Owen Cooper, is also the co-creator of the British show comprising four episodes.
Graham was actually surprised to discover that the show - directed by Philip Barantini - has turned out to be on the Indian audience's 'must-watch' list.
Speaking to Rollingstone, the 51-year-old said, "I got a text from a mate of mine, telling me how big Adolescence is in India. Hold on… did you say India? Did I hear you correctly?’ Apparently, it’s really striking a nerve there. But it just seems to have struck a nerve in a lot of places!"
"The thing you have to understand, when we set out to do this… it was very colloquial. But it’s like we dropped a stone into this pond, and the ripple effect it’s produced has been unbelievable."
The series with a global impact tells the story of how a family’s world is turned upside down when 13-year-old Jamie Miller (Owen Cooper) is arrested for the murder of a teenage girl who goes to his school.
Graham plays Jamie’s father and 'appropriate adult', Eddie Miller.
A scene from Adolescence. Photo courtesy: Netflix UK/Stephen Graham Instagram handles
Ashley Walters stars as Detective Inspector Luke Bascombe, and Erin Doherty is Briony Ariston, the clinical psychologist assigned to Jamie's case.
Adolescence, which has four episodes each being shot in a single take, has switched on the discussions regarding parenting in the age of social media after Jamie was shown responding to the online bullying by his classmate with violence.
The darker meaning of social media emojis have been explored in the series, which talks about manosphere, incel culture and toxic masculinity.
Though many were of the view that the show was inspired by real events in view of multiple similar incidents, Graham got the idea while he was on a car ride following an awards show.
"I swear on my late mother’s life," Graham said and added, "I had the entire show in my head. Like, the whole thing."
Graham said he was curious to know what's happening in the minds and lives of young men, who in recent times have been involved in several violent crimes.
The actor-creator said in the interview, "I wanted to make one of those social dramas for right now. Because we have a real crisis going on with young men today, and we’ve got to start talking about it right now. It affects all of us. I just wanted to start a conversation about this, a real conversation."
"I didn’t know if people would be ready to talk about it. But I think they are. And hopefully, this is just the beginning of the conversation."
The show has been streaming on Netflix since March 13, 2025.
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