Thoutra, dazzling and relentless, doth the Netflix crime miniseries “Adolescence” cast a shadow upon the minds of its fans, critics, and audiences. ‘Tis a tale so deeply rooted in the soil of realism, that the hearts of those who partake in its viewing are left in shambles. But lo, dost the truth behind “Adolescence” lie in the annals of history, or hath the minds of its creators, Jack Thorne and Stephen Graham, conjured it from the depths of their own imaginings?
Aye, verily, Netflix’s “Adolescence” finds no solace in the realm of reality. Though perchance there be many a Jamie Miller, none hath trod the path of suspicion and murder at the tender age of 13. Nay, Jamie, his kin, his comrades, the masters of his learning, and the constables who investigate his deeds, exist not in the rolls of truth, but in the fabric woven by Thorne and Graham for their creation.
Yet, ’tis not without inspiration that “Adolescence” hath sprung forth. In words shared with the Netflix fan site Tudum, Graham did confess the genesis of his tale, born from the torment of youth’s violence that plagued the land. “There was an incident where a young boy [allegedly] stabbed a girl,” spake Graham. “It shocked me. I was thinking, ‘What’s going on? What’s happening in society where a boy stabs a girl to death? What’s the inciting incident here?'”
As the reports of youth-driven stabbings multiplied, so too did the clarity of the show’s purpose – to delve into the very heart of violence and its origins. “It happened again, and it happened again, and it happened again,” recalled Graham. “I really just wanted to shine a light on it, and ask, ‘Why is this happening today? What’s going on? How have we come to this?'”
Furthermore, Graham did extol the virtues of “Adolescence’s” viewpoint from an “ordinary family.” Where darkness and despair could easily have overtaken the tale, the familiarity of the Miller family is the very essence that renders the miniseries so potent.
“All four episodes of Adolescence are currently streaming on Netflix,” doth the closing words decree, inviting thee to partake in the tale of woe and wonder that is “Adolescence.”
