Netflix’s ‘Adolescence’ Makes UK TV History with Record-Breaking Debut

One-shot crime drama becomes first streaming show to top UK weekly ratings, sparking national conversations on youth, violence, and parenting

London, March 26: Netflix’s gripping crime drama Adolescence has made television history by becoming the first streaming show to top the UK’s weekly TV ratings, surpassing long-standing favourites like The Apprentice and Death in Paradise, according to official data from BARB (Broadcasters’ Audience Research Board).

The show’s debut episode pulled in 6.45 million viewers in its first week, overtaking the previous record set by Fool Me Once (6.3 million) earlier this year—cementing Adolescence as the most-watched streaming show in a single week in UK history.

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A One-Shot Cinematic Feat with a Disturbing Premise

Created by Jack Thorne and Stephen Graham, and directed by Philip Barantini, Adolescence is a four-part British miniseries uniquely shot in continuous one-take episodes, leaving viewers stunned by both the technical brilliance and raw performances.

The series follows the chilling story of Jamie Miller (Owen Cooper), a 13-year-old boy accused of murdering a schoolmate. As the investigation unfolds—from Jamie’s arrest and interrogation to the psychological evaluations and devastating introspection by his family—the show forces audiences to confront uncomfortable questions about parenting, online radicalisation, and youth violence.

The cast includes Stephen Graham, Erin Doherty, Ashley Walters, Faye Marsay, Christine Tremarco, and newcomer Owen Cooper in a breakout role.

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“What the Hell Do We Do?” – A Cultural Wake-Up Call

Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, Erin Doherty (who plays a key role in the series) opened up about the show’s confronting themes: how young boys are being radicalised online, particularly by misogynistic figures.

“We’d be doing ourselves a disservice as a human race to ignore it,” said Doherty, adding that the show doesn’t offer easy answers—because none exist yet.

The drama has sparked nationwide conversations about how to raise children in a digital age, with Doherty noting how it’s become the central topic of discussion among friends and families—even among those who aren’t parents yet.

“It’s already infiltrating my conversations,” she said. “So I feel like it’s done its job. We’re already like, ‘What the hell do we do?’”

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A Cultural Landmark for Streaming and British Drama

Adolescence not only breaks ground with its single-take visual storytelling but also positions Netflix at the heart of mainstream UK television culture. The series has resonated so deeply that it’s even drawn praise from UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who watched it with his teenage children and advocated for its screening in UK Parliament and schools.

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Tags: Netflix, Adolescence, UK TV ratings, British drama, streaming records, Owen Cooper, Stephen Graham, Jack Thorne, Philip Barantini, Erin Doherty, youth crime, parenting, one-shot series, toxic masculinity, radicalisation, BARB, UK viewership

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