When British actor Stephen Graham co-created the intense crime drama Adolescence, he expected it to spark conversations — but what he didn’t see coming was just how deeply it would resonate with viewers in India.
Released on Netflix on March 13, the four-part series took the streaming world by storm, clocking 24.3 million views in just its first three days. It topped Netflix charts in 71 countries, quickly becoming a global phenomenon. Alongside Graham, the series stars Ashley Walters, Erin Doherty, and newcomer Owen Cooper, and it’s been praised for its raw, gripping portrayal of youth violence.
But it’s not just the numbers that have blown Graham away — it’s the emotional response from Indian audiences that truly left him stunned.
#Adolescence creator and actor #StephenGraham says the rave response to the hit #Netflix series across countries, including India, is "unbelievable"
Read more:https://t.co/pD9T32WnDm
— The Hindu Cinema (@TheHinduCinema) March 23, 2025
“Did you say… India?!”
In a chat with Rolling Stones, Graham shared a moment of disbelief after hearing about the show’s success overseas. “I got a text from a mate of mine, telling me how big Adolescence is in India. And my first response was, ‘Hold on, did you say India?! Did I hear you correctly?’ Apparently, it’s really striking a nerve there.”
And indeed it has.
From Bollywood stars like Alia Bhatt and Trisha Krishnan, to directors Hansal Mehta and Anurag Kashyap, Indian celebrities have been raving about the series on social media, applauding both its storytelling and its unflinching direction. Viewers across the country have also flooded platforms with reactions, making Adolescence a hot topic in Indian pop culture.
For Graham, the global reach of the show feels surreal. “It’s like we dropped a stone into this pond, and the ripple effect it’s produced has been unbelievable.”
The Story Behind Adolescence
The idea for Adolescence came to Graham during a car ride with longtime collaborator Philip Barantini, who would go on to direct the series. The two were discussing the alarming rise in youth violence in the UK, particularly among teenage boys, and felt compelled to dig deeper.
“These aren’t men committing these crimes. They’re boys,” Graham explained, highlighting the human side of the headlines we often scroll past.
In the series, Graham plays Eddie Miller, a father who’s blindsided when his 13-year-old son Jamie is accused of murdering a classmate. Owen Cooper, in his breakout role, plays Jamie with haunting precision. The story unpacks how a teenager could end up in such a dark place, exploring the emotional and societal factors behind such crimes.
Adding to the show’s gripping tension, all four episodes are filmed in a single take, immersing viewers into the raw, unfiltered emotions of each moment.
Why Adolescence Resonates in India
India, a country grappling with its own complex issues around youth, crime, and societal pressure, seems to have connected deeply with the themes in Adolescence. The show has sparked debates around parenting, peer influence, and mental health, with many praising it for holding up a mirror to uncomfortable realities — something that Indian filmmakers like Sudhir Mishra and Shekhar Kapur have echoed in their praise.
While the series may be British, the questions it raises — about violence, responsibility, and how we support our children — are truly universal.
A Global Story with a Local Heart
Graham’s reaction to the show’s impact in India isn’t just about numbers or views. It’s about how stories, when told with honesty, can travel across borders and hit home anywhere.
“I never imagined Adolescence would resonate in India the way it has. It’s humbling, and it’s also a reminder of how connected we all are — no matter where we live.”
As Adolescence continues to spark dialogue around the world, one thing is clear: this isn’t just a show — it’s a conversation starter, and India has joined that conversation with full heart and soul.
