Episode #1.1

The idea for Adolescence came from actor Stephen Graham after he heard about a young schoolgirl being stabbed.

He wanted to do something to tackle knife crime among young people.

Enlisting director Philip Barantini with whom he made the one shot film Boiling Point.

The same technique is used again but this time, the one shot drama is more adventurous. In Boiling Point it was confined to one location. Here the action is set in several places but there are no invisible cuts.

The story begins with an early morning raid at a house led by DI Luke Bascombe (Ashley Walters.)

The police arrest 14 year old Jamie Miller (Owen Cooper.) The rest of the family are in shock and confusion as the police break down the door.

Jamie is taken down the police station by DI Bascombe. Followed by Jamie's family led by his dad Eddie (Stephen Graham) who sits in the police station interview as the appropriate adult.

Eddie knows it is something serious but his son pleads his innocence. Whatever happened is nothing to do with him.

Jamie's duty solicitor knows that a young girl was stabbed and it is a serious charge that Jamie is facing. He advises Jamie to say 'no comment' to the questioning.

The first episode in outline is a police procedural but becomes much more as the truth emerges as to the events of what occured the night before.

Although the one shot episode is a gimmick. The lighting is too dark for example. It works well here as it gives the fly on the wall feel to the proceedings.

More importantly it allows the actors to shine. For them it might as well be a stage play. One slip up and the episode had to be recorded again from the start or wait for the next complete take later on.

Owen Cooper gives an astonishing performance in his first major role.

I turned on this episode without any particular expectations, especially since I'm not a fan of shows with such little episodes.

However, this first episode hooked me from the beginning. First and foremost, the entire episode being recorded in one shot - WOW! Thanks to this method I could feel the action better, just as if I was there.

Beside that, I loved the fact the timings in the story and in the episode timer was 1:1. What I mean is that Jamie was busted at 6:15 a.m and his questioning was finished at 7:12 a.m and it took exactly 57 minutes of the episode.

It looks like the promising show and I hope it won't be destroyed later on.

The Millers are shocked when The Police break their front door down early one morning and make a shocking arrest.

The drama that everyone is talking about, even our politicians.

It's a compelling first episode, gut wrenching, edge of the seat viewing, it really is powerful, yet uncomfortable. We've all seen countless crime dramas, but this one has a twist, the Prime suspect is a teenager.

There's a humdinger of a twist here, one that will ensure you're zoned in and fully engaged.

It has an almost documentary style vibe to it, it's a procedural drama, one where we learn pieces of the puzzle as time moves on.

This features one amazing cast, the likes of Stephen Graham, Ashley Walters and Faye Marsay, but credit where it's due, it's the young Owen Cooper who really delivered.

Powerful drama.

9/10.

Absolutely groundbreaking!

Adolescence Episode 1 is nothing short of a cinematic masterpiece. The entire episode was filmed with a single camera in one continuous shot - a feat that's not only technically impressive but emotionally captivating. The seamless flow of the camera creates an intense sense of immersion, pulling you directly into the raw, unfiltered reality of the characters lives.

The performances are so authentic that you almost forget you're watching fiction. The actors ability to maintain such natural, emotionally charged energy without a single cut is remarkable. The direction is bold and masterful, making every movement and piece of dialogue feel organic and intentional.

The single-shot approach adds a layer of intimacy and urgency that perfectly mirrors the chaos and vulnerability of adolescence itself. Every moment feels immediate and real, heightening the emotional stakes and drawing you into the characters struggles and triumphs.

This isn't just good television - it's an artistic achievement. Episode 1 of Adolescence sets the bar incredibly high and leaves you eager for more. A must-watch for anyone who appreciates bold storytelling and impeccable craftsmanship.

This was one of the most tense experiences i have had in a first episode of a TV show! My hands were sweaty almost the entire way through!

The way it is dhot, is an achievement of its own.. just the viewer tracking this one camera.. experiencing everything as it happens.. seeing the plot slowly unfold before your eyes, was brilliant!

On top of all that you get some acting performances thst already feel award worthy.. just based on this first episode, so that is saying something! The kid playing Jamie is one of the best teen performances i have seen in a long time! It felt so real, and watching him i forgot that I wad watching a TV show with an actor!

Do yourself a favor and check this out if you haven't already! What a surprise!