Netflix's 4-Part Crime Drama Is Already An Undisputed Classic

It's been less than a year since Adolescence took the world by storm, but the Netflix crime drama is already iconic. Released on March 13, 2025, Adolescence is the four-episode story of Jamie Miller (Owen Cooper), a deeply troubled 13-year-old boy who is arrested on suspicion of murdering a female classmate.

Created by Jack Thorne and Stephen Graham (Graham also plays Jamie's father, Eddie, in the Adolescence cast), the series was a hit with absolutely everyone. Critics awarded Adolescence a 97% score on Rotten Tomatoes, it broke viewership records on Netflix, and it has amassed over 50 award wins, including eight Primetime Emmys. All of this glory is more than deserved for a miniseries unlike anything television has seen before.

How Adolescence Became An Instant Classic

Based on its subject matter, Adolescence was guaranteed to attract attention right off the bat. Adolescence's deep themes of toxic incel and manosphere culture, particularly how they affect young boys, are incredibly prevalent right now. Though Jamie's mindset and behavior may be shocking, the path he took to get there is sadly all too common in today's society — even in normal, loving homes like the Millers'.

Of course, plenty of crime dramas tackle topical subject matter. However, Adolescence stands out for its one-shot filming style, in which each episode appears to be an extended single take. This wholly immerses the viewer in the disturbing story. The camera doesn't cut away, and neither can you. The crisis the Millers find themselves in is completely suffocating, and there's nowhere to hide from the raw emotions they process in real time.

Adolescence Is Different From Other Crime Dramas

Whodunit crime dramas are a dime a dozen, and if Adolescence had followed this trend, the whole miniseries would be building up to reveal the question, "Who killed Katie?" However, in Adolescence, this is answered in the first episode, and the show is instead about the psychological aftermath of a serious crime.

Whole episodes are centered on stages of a criminal investigation that are typically fleeting scenes in other crime dramas — the arrest, interviewing key witnesses and relevant parties, the interview with the psychologist — and puts a spotlight on the emotional toll this takes on everyone involved.

Adolescence's tear-jerking finale isn't about the investigation at all, but instead looks at the fallout for the family members of those accused of a serious crime — how they're treated in society, how they try to move on, and how they can't help but blame themselves. In a landscape of exploitative crime dramas, Adolescence is perhaps the most empathetic entry the genre has ever seen.

Will There Be An Adolescence Season 2?

As is the case with many wildly successful miniseries, the question always lingers as to whether the creators will extend the show and deliver more seasons. Given Adolescence's impact and audiences' attachment to the Miller family, there's a big demand to see their story unfold even further.

Though nothing has been officially confirmed by Netflix or anybody involved, Stephen Graham teased the possibility of an Adolescence season 2. Backstage at the 2026 Golden Globes, the Adolescence co-creator said,

I cannot answer that question because it’s somewhere in the deep recesses of my mind and Jack [Thorne]’s mind, and we’ll pull it out in three or four years, so stay tuned.

So, while there likely won't be more news of a follow-up anytime soon, the prospect of Adolescence season 2 is not only possible, but probable. And with its massive cultural impact, audiences will indeed very likely "stay tuned" for however long it takes.