Created by Jack Thorne and Stephen Graham, and directed by Philip Barantini, Adolescence is a gripping four-episode drama notable for its innovative filming style—each episode is shot in a single continuous take
The popular British crime miniseries Adolescence is still surging on Netflix, climbing to the fourth spot on Netflix’s Most Popular English TV list, according to Deadline. Last week, the show rose from ninth place, pulling in another 17.8 million views between March 31 and April 6, proving it still has viewers hooked even a month after its March 13 release.
Deadline reports that with 65 days remaining in its premiere window, Adolescence has already surpassed the viewership numbers of major Netflix hits like Bridgerton, The Night Agent (Season 1), and Stranger Things (Season 3). If it maintains this pace, it could even threaten Stranger Things 4’s massive 140.7 million views. As of now, Dahmer sits in third place with 115.6 million views.
Meanwhile, the documentary Gone Girls: The Long Island Serial Killer landed second place this week with 13 million views, while the medical drama Pulse had a slower start, drawing 6.5 million views. The Residence dropped to fifth place with 4.6 million views. On the film side, Sofia Carson’s The Life List maintained the top movie spot for the second consecutive week, amassing 29.2 million views.
Created by Jack Thorne and Stephen Graham, and directed by Philip Barantini, Adolescence is a gripping four-episode drama notable for its innovative filming style—each episode is shot in a single continuous take. The series follows the arrest of 13-year-old schoolboy Jamie Miller, played by Owen Cooper, who is accused of murdering a female classmate. Stephen Graham, also a co-creator, plays Jamie’s father, Eddie Miller.
Critics have widely praised the series for its bold storytelling, emotional performances, and razor-sharp commentary on the dangers of online influence. Adolescence explores how toxic online subcultures, particularly incel communities, can shape young minds and escalate real-world violence.
The show’s social impact has been significant. Earlier, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer expressed his full support for Adolescence, highlighting its powerful message about the dangers of online misogyny and youth violence. During a session of Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs), Labour MP Anneliese Midgley asked Starmer whether he would back calls for the show to be screened in schools and Parliament. Starmer, who revealed he was watching the series with his teenage children, called it “a very good drama to watch” and stressed that violence influenced by online content is “abhorrent” and must be tackled.
In interviews with Sky News, Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy reiterated that the government is highly aware of the issues raised by the series. Although there are currently no plans to ban smartphones for under-16s, she confirmed that the Online Safety Act is moving forward and will place more responsibility on tech companies to protect young users.
Meanwhile, around 25 Labour MPs have formed an informal group pushing for tougher online safety measures. The group plans to meet next week to discuss stronger protections for young people against harmful social media content. Calls to raise the minimum age for social media consent from 13 to 16 have gained traction, although earlier efforts were watered down due to lack of government backing.
Co-writer Jack Thorne has been outspoken in criticizing the government’s hesitation to take stronger action against tech giants. Labour MP Johnathan Brash also lent strong support to the show’s campaign, describing Adolescence as “powerful and distressing.” He suggested that carefully selected clips could even be shown in primary schools to help children understand the dangers of social media before they start using it.
A recent Sky News investigation highlighted the urgency of the issue, revealing that teenagers are routinely exposed to violent and sexually explicit content online. The government has come under increasing pressure to act decisively, as MPs from both major parties call for stricter regulations.
On the Conservative side, Shadow Education Secretary Laura Trott has called for a complete ban on smartphones in schools, citing concerns about their impact on student well-being. Trott said she personally would not allow her children to have smartphones until they are 16.
Despite mounting pressure, the government has so far resisted imposing a blanket ban, arguing that schools already have the authority to regulate phone use in classrooms. Adolescence has ignited an urgent national conversation about youth, technology, and safety—one that is only growing louder as the series continues its global rise.
