July 16, 2025: Netflix’s limited series Adolescence has earned 13 Emmy nominations, surpassing last year’s Baby Reindeer which scored 11. Speaking to Deadline shortly after the announcement, co-creator and lead actor Stephen Graham and co-creator Jack Thorne shared their hopes of collaborating again — though not on a direct continuation of Adolescence.
“We’d think about it, wouldn’t we, Jack?” said Graham.
“Yes,” Thorne responded. “Not about the Millers. We’ve told the Millers’ story. But me and Steve would love to write together again, something for Phil [director Philip Barantini] to direct. We’d love to work with the company again. So yes, if we find the right story.”
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Adolescence, shot in a continuous one-shot style by Barantini, tells the story of Jamie Miller, a teenage boy accused of killing a fellow student. The series explores the emotional fallout experienced by his family, therapist, and lead detective. The ensemble cast includes Graham, Christine Demarco, Erin Doherty, and Ashley Walters.
Graham emphasized the importance of telling raw, socially reflective stories: “These are the kind of projects that made us want to be actors — ones that hold a mirror to society.” He praised Thorne, who currently has two shows — Adolescence and Toxic Town — topping Netflix.
Thorne noted the current climate in the UK makes it harder to get challenging stories greenlit: “We’re in a time of industry conservatism. People default to safe options — formulaic detective dramas — while writers and creators are pushed out of telling truthful, difficult stories.”
He added that this conservatism affects representation across the board, including for disabled talent, an issue he continues to advocate for through the TV Access project.
Graham echoed Thorne’s sentiment, saying while there’s space for commercial entertainment, such as action or sci-fi, he’s proud of choosing socially grounded dramas like Help and Time. Doherty added, “Art is louder when it’s specific. Stories like Adolescence show the messy, complex parts of being human, and audiences are clearly ready for that.”
Looking ahead, Thorne is writing the Ringo Starr installment of Sam Mendes’ upcoming Beatles film series, though he declined to share details. Graham is set to play Bruce Springsteen’s father in Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere, starring Jeremy Allen White as The Boss.
Graham said of working with Springsteen, “He’s just a really lovely human being. We had lunch, looked at some sculptures in the park — he’s a truly wonderful man.”
Meanwhile, Doherty is set to lead California Avenue, a six-part drama by Hugo Blick, alongside Helena Bonham Carter, Bill Nighy, and Tom Burke. Filming starts next month. “I’m over the moon to work with people I admire so much,” she said.