Jack Thorne and Stephen Graham's new four-part drama Adolescence has been hailed as the closest thing to television perfection in decades. The series, which follows 14-year-old Jamie Miller after he is arrested for the murder of a classmate, is shot in single takes and features award-worthy performances. The show delves into the toxic online world of incel culture that may have influenced the boy's actions.
Ashley Walters stars as DI Luke Bascombe, the detective investigating the case. Walters delivers a superb performance, capturing the bleakness of a job that can bring justice but never restore a dead child to her parents. The drama's technical accomplishments are matched by a script that is both naturalistic and evocative, making for a deeply moving and harrowing experience.
The standout episode features a session between Jamie and child psychologist Briony, played by Erin Doherty. In this intense encounter, Briony nudges the boy towards truths he does not want to acknowledge. Owen Cooper, in his first acting role, delivers an astonishing performance as Jamie, revealing the radicalised misogynist he has become. Cooper was chosen from 500 boys who sent tapes to casting director Shaheen Baig.
The final episode focuses on the family's desperate attempts to hold together, refusing easy explanations or dark family secrets. The series asks profound questions about what we are teaching boys and how they navigate a toxic world where masculinity demands they do so alone. Adolescence keeps the victim present, highlighting the devastating impact on girls and women.
