Stephen Graham’s crime drama Adolescence has made waves since its debut on Netflix, setting new records for viewership. Released on March 13, the four-episode series has garnered an impressive 66.3 million views within just two weeks, making it the most-watched limited series on the streaming platform to date.
The show stars Graham alongside Owen Cooper and centers around the story of a 13-year-old boy who is accused of murdering his female classmate. The series dives deep into sensitive issues surrounding youth education, personal development, and the pressures young people face in today’s world. Its powerful narrative has struck a chord with audiences, particularly parents in the UK, who have praised its handling of these difficult topics.

In response to the widespread praise, Adolescence will soon be shown in schools across the UK to help raise awareness about the challenges facing today’s youth. Anne Mensah, Vice President of UK Content at Netflix, spoke about the series’ cultural impact: “Adolescence has captured the national mood, sparking important conversations and helping to articulate the pressures young people and parents face in today’s society.”
“We’re incredibly proud of the impact the show has made and are delighted to be able to offer it to all schools across the UK through Into Film+,” she continued. As part of this initiative, the healthy relationships charity Tender will create resources for teachers and parents to guide discussions around the critical issues presented in the series.
The talented cast of Adolescence also includes Erin Doherty, Ashley Walters, Faye Marsay, and Jo Hartley. As the show continues to be widely appreciated, it has firmly established itself as one of Netflix’s most impactful and highly viewed dramas.