Adolescence – which tells the story of a 13-year-old boy who is accused of brutally murdering a classmate – is earning rave reviews for its storyline and videography.
The crime series, written by Stephen Graham and Jack Thorne, was only released on Netflix on Thursday, and has already become a huge hit.
Now, the streaming service has revealed the behind the scenes secrets after it was announced that the series was filmed in one-shot takes.
Director Philip Barantini used his unconventional approach to each of the four episodes, meaning one camera followed the action continuously for the entire hour.
Netflix took to X/Twitter over the weekend to answer some questions fans of the series have had – including how the series came to an end in episode two, when the camera glided from the school to the crime scene in one seamless take.
The streaming platform’s post explained: ‘The DOP (director of photography) carries the camera and follows a school pupil to the traffic lights with a wide shot as she goes at the end of the school day.
‘Before she crosses the road, a team attach the camera to a drone, which then flies a distance of 0.3 miles across the site to the murder scene, where it comes down to a camera operator and team of grips who smoothly catch the camera and transition into a close shot of Stephen Graham. Easy.’
Netflix has revealed the behind the scenes secrets from Adolescence, which was written by Stephen Graham (pictured) and Jack Thorne, after it was announced that the series was filmed in one-shot takes
Elsewhere, the post revealed which takes were used for each episode, explaining how producers used the second take for the first episode, set mostly in a police station, which was captured on the first day of a five-day shoot for the episode.
The second episode, which was set inside a school, was filmed in take 13 on day five, amid a huge cast of 370 extras.
The third episode was filmed 11 times before the director was happy with the interaction between Adolescence‘s breakout star Owen Cooper, who plays the accused teen Jamie Miller, and a psychologist played by Erin Doherty.
Meanwhile, the final episode was captured during take 16 as the Millers wrestled with the devastating realities of their son’s situation. Like episodes two and three, the finale was shot on the final day of filming.
Netflix said the original plan was to film each episode in full 10 times, once in the morning and once in the afternoon, but a few attempts had to be abandoned, so some episodes had more than 10 takes.
Sometimes episodes were halted because actors fluffed their lines, but on other occasions, they made mistakes and carried on performing.
In some episodes, the crew are on screen but are in costume so they blend in with other extras.
Netflix added: ‘During these rehearsals the cast would also work through the choreography, allowing the DOP (director of photography) to plan the positions of the camera through the whole take, as well as the movements of the crew.’
The third episode was filmed 11 times before the director was happy with the interaction between Adolescence‘s breakout star Owen Cooper (pictured), who plays the accused teen Jamie Miller, and a psychologist played by Erin Doherty
Meanwhile, the final episode was captured during take 16 as the Millers wrestled with the devastating realities of their son’s situation
Netflix took to X/ Twitter over the weekend to answer some questions fans of the series have had
Elsewhere, Netflix was asked how the cast prepared for the long one shot shoot days and they revealed it was built up gradually over a few days.
They explained: ‘In preparation for the shoot, segments of the script were rehearsed and a little bit more added each day – starting with five minutes on the first day and then adding further material as they went through, so by the end of the week they would be doing full run-throughs.’
Fans of the show were impressed with the complex nature of filming the scenes and rushed to the comments to leave their thoughts.
One person said: ‘Thanks for all that!!! Fascinating stuff. Must admit I didn’t believe it was one shot. Explains a lot. Absolute masterpiece, bravo to all concerned.’
Another added: ‘This absolutely blew my mind. I just couldn’t believe how beautiful it looked and how seamless it felt. BAFTAs for everyone involved please!’
Someone else said: ‘A simply astonishing piece of television. The best thing I’ve watched in 20+ years.’
A fourth added: ‘Excellent show, brilliant acting, fantastic directing and superb script! I hope this wins all the awards out there! Top notch!’
Some claimed they might have spotted some of the mistakes but applauded the actors for seamlessly moving through the scenes.
Fans of the show were impressed with the complex nature of filming the scenes and rushed to the comments to leave their thoughts
Some claimed they might have spotted some of the mistakes but applauded the actors for seamlessly moving through the scenes
One person wrote: ‘When Ashley Walters stumbled in the interview scene, and Stephen Graham laughed when Christine finished his sentence for him in the van, ah i love it. they played it off so well (if they were mistakes lol). gonna rewatch.’
Another said: ‘When Jo Hartley ( Teacher ) forgot to introduce the female cop to the class?? .. good recovery from her though and I thought it only made it look more real.. ( if indeed it was a mistake) – great actress.’
Adolescence is showing signs that it will be a rating smash after episode one has been watched by 2.7 million people in just two days.
Fans have been left stunned by the psychological mini-series which has earned a perfect 100 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Its outstanding rating on review website has come from fans and critics alike praising its realistic portrayal of British society and its gripping plotline, with some even comparing it with Netflix’s 2024 triumph Baby Reindeer.
The series was filmed in South Kirkby, West Yorkshire, and the cast and crew were based at Production Park a studio facility near Wakefield, for six months last summer.
Some on location filming also took place, one being the Miller house, which is located just a few minutes from the studio.
Stephen has taken on the role of Eddie Miller, the father of a young boy called Jamie (Owen Cooper), who is suspected of stabbing one of his classmates Katie (Emilia Holliday).
The series was filmed in South Kirkby, West Yorkshire and the cast and crew were based at Production Park a studio facility near Wakefield, for six months last summer
Some on location filming also took place, one being the Miller house, which is located just a few minutes from the studio
Stephen has taken on the role of Eddie Miller, the dad of a young boy called Jamie (Owen Cooper), who is suspected of stabbing one of his classmates Katie (Emilia Holliday)
Viewers may be shocked to know what heartbreaking real-life incidents that resulted in the programme being made.
Speaking with Radio Times, Stephen said: ‘Where it came from, for me… Is there was an incident in Liverpool, a young girl, and she was stabbed to death by a young boy.
‘I just thought, why? Then there was another young girl in south London who was stabbed to death at a bus stop.
‘And there was this thing up North, where that young girl Brianna Ghey was lured into the park by two teenagers, and they stabbed her. I just thought, what’s going on? What is this that’s happening?’
16-year-old Brianna, who was transgender, was killed on February 11 2023 in Culcheth, Warrington.
