Stephen Graham Says Netflix’s Adolescence Sparks Public Dialogue

Actor Stephen Graham says the Netflix series Adolescence has created a powerful reaction from people everywhere, even strangers he meets on the street. Since the show launched, he has been approached by people from different backgrounds who want to talk about how much the show moved them.

Adolescence is a four-part drama that looks at the rising problem of online hate and how teenage boys are being exposed to harmful ideas on the internet. Graham co-created the show with writer Jack Thorne. He also plays Eddie Miller, the father of 13-year-old Jamie, who is arrested after police storm their home.

The series has made people think deeply about what young boys are facing today. Graham said that since the show came out, he has had emotional conversations with people both in the UK and abroad. In one example, while in New York, a woman in her seventies came up to him. She was dressed in high-end clothes and looked very wealthy. She stopped him to say how much the show meant to her and her family. Her husband also thanked Graham for what the show had done.

Later that same day, a man working near Graham’s hotel also spoke to him. He said his family had watched the show together and felt it was very important. Graham said that these moments helped him realize how far the message of the show has reached.

The goal of the show was not just to tell a story, but to start real conversations between parents and their children. Graham said that many parents have contacted him and his wife, Hannah Walters, to say that the series helped open up difficult but important discussions at home.

Graham believes that this kind of response means the show has done its job. He feels that the message has landed where it needed to. The next step, he says, is for the public to keep the conversation going and to use the story as a way to help others.

The show has also been recognized by leaders. In March, Graham and Thorne met with Sir Keir Starmer at Downing Street to talk about the serious topics covered in the drama. The meeting focused on how content online is affecting children and what can be done about it.

One thing that makes Adolescence stand out is how it was filmed. Each episode was shot in one continuous take, which is rare for a television drama. This filming style created a more intense and realistic experience for viewers. It also added pressure on the actors and crew, but the final result has been praised widely.

Graham’s production company, Matriarch Productions, which he runs with his wife, did more than just produce the show. They also gave financial help to young people who worked on the crew. Some of them would not have been able to afford to take the job without support.

Graham explained that they helped cover the cost of rent for those team members. This gave them the chance to gain experience and earn money. In the future, those same people could take other jobs without needing help. It was a way of opening the door for new talent and helping them build careers in the film industry.

The success of Adolescence has made a strong impact. It is not just a television series, but also a tool for learning and awareness. Families are using it to start honest conversations. Teachers and experts have also shared it as an example of how media can shine a light on hidden problems.

Graham will speak about his work on the show at the GQ Heroes Conference, which will take place in Oxfordshire from July 2 to 4. He is expected to talk more about the message behind the series and why it matters now more than ever.