Lost It

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2025 has only just begun, but I can’t help but be captivated by Netflix’s standout British drama, “Adolescence.” As a fan, I find myself drawn into its powerful narrative, particularly the complex portrayal of a family’s disintegration following an unimaginable crime.

Stephen Graham delivers a masterful performance as the father, while Owen Cooper, making his acting debut, brings a raw intensity to his role as the son. Directed by Philip Barantini, it seems young Cooper didn’t require much coaxing for this role. However, even he found one scene particularly challenging – when his character needed to display aggression. In that moment, Cooper reportedly couldn’t hold back his emotions, truly embodying the turmoil of his on-screen persona.

Thankfully, Barantini offered some guidance for the actor: “You’re unique since not every actor can pull off what you do.” In just four episodes, each unfolding in real-time without interruption, viewers find themselves as onlookers to an intense journey. Instead of focusing on the truth behind a murder, we delve into Jamie Miller, a 13-year-old suspect who proves to be a complex character and a reflection of teenage life. Netflix’s latest sensation has stirred the globe with its authentic and unsettling portrayal of post-crime reality.

Needless to say, the below contains major spoilers, so do not read on if you’re not caught up!

In an interview with Screen Daily, Barantini discussed the process of creating ‘Adolescence’, including the one-shot approach and casting. The film’s director, who collaborated extensively with Stephen Graham (who was also a producer), admitted that working with newcomer Cooper made him apprehensive because the boy had no prior acting experience.

Actors typically spend the majority of their lives mastering skills that Owen seems to perform effortlessly without formal training. While he has dabbled in drama classes for leisure, he lacks extensive acting experience. Consequently, he approaches his roles without any set notions or expectations.

We filmed episode three featuring Jamie and the psychologist character first due to Stephen’s availability, which had me feeling apprehensive. I worried that if he wasn’t familiar with his lines, I would have to put in a lot of effort to help him out, given our tight two-week schedule. However, on the first day, he arrived fully memorized, to my relief.

The pivotal episode under discussion presents an unexpected change in mood within the series Adolescence. Initially, we encounter a troubled boy, falsely accused of murder, who tearfully maintains his innocence to his father. Despite being presented with video evidence showing him committing the crime, Jamie persists in claiming his innocence. However, three episodes later, set months after the event, Jamie is depicted in a one-on-one therapy session with a psychologist. This Jamie appears significantly different from his previous self, appearing stronger, more composed, and noticeably more confident. Following a couple of angry outbursts, the genuine Jamie emerges.

Barantini stated that he encouraged Cooper to delve deeper into his act, yet there’s a possibility he might have gone overboard with the pressure.

Initially, I was encouraging him to take things a step further and give his best performance, but he reached a point where he became agitated, probably because he had never shown such intensity towards anyone before in his life. Later on, we had a private conversation. I told him, “What you displayed there, it felt incredibly genuine. But remember, it’s not really you. It’s just acting. You stand out because not every actor can deliver a performance like that.

Finding the Right Jamie Miller Wasn’t an Easy Task

One can hardly conceive of any other actor except Owen Cooper bringing the 13-year-old suspect of this brutal murder to life on screen. Despite appearing in only half of the episodes, Jamie’s impact on the small town’s dynamics is profound and lasting. The character is skillfully crafted, but Cooper’s acting talent leaves an indelible impression that’s difficult to forget.

Per Barantini, he wasn’t an easy find during casting:

At first, considering that young actors have limitations on the number of working hours, we considered opting for someone slightly older, around 17 or 18, who appeared to be 13. However, when these 18-year-olds arrived, they seemed youthful, but their bodies were maturing, giving signs of approaching adulthood. Consequently, it was clear that we required an authentic 13-year-old instead.

Initially, we narrowed our choices to four or five young men. From the start, Owen truly shone, but Stephen and I agreed that if these five were to make it, they should each have a role in the production. We didn’t want them to go through all this process only to be turned away.

Screen Daily

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2025-03-26 00:42