Fresh Air

Inside Netflix's 'Adolescence'

25 snips
Sep 12, 2025
Stephen Graham, co-creator, co-writer, and star of the Netflix miniseries 'Adolescence', discusses the show's gripping narrative based on real-life youth violence. He shares insights into the emotional complexity of familial relationships and the challenges of portraying intense characters. The series was uniquely filmed in one continuous take, highlighting a collaborative approach between crew and young actors. Graham reflects on his personal evolution in the industry, from Liverpool dreams to Hollywood realities, filled with encounters with cinematic icons.
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INSIGHT

Asking Why Instead Of Blaming

  • Stephen Graham asks the core question: why are young boys committing extreme violence?
  • He reframes it from blame to collective complexity, prompting systemic examination.
INSIGHT

Multiple Systems Shape Youth Behavior

  • Graham proposes shared accountability across parents, schools, government, community, and the internet.
  • He highlights the internet as a new, powerful influence earlier generations didn't face.
ANECDOTE

Rooting Eddie In Real Fathers

  • Graham based Eddie on archetypal hardworking fathers from his life to avoid easy moralizing.
  • He deliberately removed obvious parental failings to keep the story from pointing a single finger.
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