Adolescence: What Is the Inspiration behind the Netflix Series?

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Netflix’s Adolescence has intrigued many viewers as they wonder whether the series’ inspiration is rooted in real events. The show follows a family whose world shatters when their 13-year-old son is accused of murdering a schoolmate. As audiences immerse themselves in its chilling narrative and powerful performances, many wonder: Is Adolescence based on a true story?

Here is everything you need to know about the inspiration of the crime drama series.

Is Adolescence based on a true story?

Although Netflix’s series “Adolescence” doesn’t have a single source of inspiration, it draws from various real-life events that took place in the United Kingdom.

In an interview with The Wrap, director Philip Barantini opened up on the series of murders in the U.K. where young boys were murdering young girls with knives. Barantini was intrigued by these cases and wanted to shed light on them.

Co-writer Stephen Graham told Birmingham Live about coming across similar cases in the news. He stated, “We’d been asked to create a one-shot piece which was going to be a series. So we were coming up with the possibilities of what we’d make it about, and I’d read an article in the paper about a young boy stabbing a young girl.”

Graham said that felt “a bit cold” hearing this news. After three or four months he discovered another news of a young boy stabbing a young girl. He also mentioned, “They are young boys. They’re not men. And it was the complete opposite end of the country.”

The writer also told Tudum, “One of our aims was to ask, ‘What is happening to our young men these days, and what are the pressures they face from their peers, from the internet, and from social media?”

While the makers did not mention specific incidents, there have been numerous such cases in the country. In July 2024, a 17-year-old stabbed three young girls at a Taylor Swift theme dance class in Liverpool. Further, the PM warned the public of the loners and young men in the bedroom accessing all types of content online becoming terror threats. Adolescence also showcased a young boy becoming a knife murderer after consuming misogynistic online.

All the episodes of the series are available on Netflix.

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2025-03-18 10:24