Netflix's Adolescence full cast list as Stephen Graham reunites with A Thousand Blows co-star
Stephen Graham's screenplay debut, Adolescence, features a cast loaded with British TV icons, including names from Top Boy, The Crown and Waterloo Road. Each episode unfolds in a continuous-shot sequence each episode, with the story centering around the Miller family as their world crumbles following allegations that their son Jamie has murdered a fellow pupil.
Stephen Graham, taking on his first writing role, co-authored the series with Jack Thorne and also served as a producer through his company, Matriarch Productions. Discussing the series, he said: "We could have made a drama about gangs and knife crime, or about a kid whose mother is an alcoholic, or whose father is a violent abuser.
"Instead, we wanted you to look at this family and think, 'My God. This could be happening to us!' And what's happening here is an ordinary family's worst nightmare."
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Philip Barantini, who previously worked with Stephen Graham on the critically-acclaimed short film and series, Boiling Point, also directed in one-shot, directs the series. Maintaining the unique one-shot technique of continuous filming for the entirety of Adolescence, the cast took part in extensive rehearsals with Barantini to ensure perfect execution on each day of filming.
Here's more on that stellar cast and where you know them from. For the latest TV and showbiz gossip sign up to our newsletter
Who's in the Adolescent cast?
Eddie Miller - Stephen Graham
Stephen Graham is somewhat of a household name, the 51-year-old British actor from Lancashire, celebrated for his performances in Snatch and Gangs of New York, with his standout role being Andrew "Combo" Gascoigne in the movie This Is England.
The esteemed actor was awarded the Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2023 New Year Honours for his significant contributions to drama, a tribute he dedicated to his late mother who passed away in 2022. He is happily married to actress and producer Hannah Walters, with whom he shares two children.
DI Luke Bascombe - Ashley Walters
Ashley Walters, a 42 year old British actor and rapper, rose to fame as part of the UK garage group So Solid Crew. After the group disbanded in the early 2000s, he embarked on a solo career and released a studio album.
On television, he's best known for his role as drug dealer Dushane in hit British drama Top Boy. He has four children from a previous relationship and currently lives in Herne Bay, Kent, with his wife, Danielle Walters, and their two children. His wife Danielle is an actress known for her roles in Michaela Cole's Chewing Gum, Top Boy and EastEnders.
Like Erin below, Ashley and Stephen Graham are part of the cast of Disney's A Thousand Blows.
Briony Ariston - Erin Doherty
Erin Doherty, a 32 year old British actress, is recognised for her portrayal of a young Princess Anne in The Crown. Audiences may also remember her as Becky in the drama Chloe and Clare in Reawakening.
During her school years, she was a skilled footballer and was scouted by Chelsea Women, but when it came time to choose between football and acting, she opted for the latter.
Jamie Miller - Owen Cooper
Owen Cooper, who portrays Jamie Miller in the new drama Adolescence, has made his on-screen debut after honing his skills with The Drama Mob for two years. He landed the role following an audition in Manchester, which he secured by submitting a tape.
The 15 year old student, who enjoys German and PE at school and is the younger brother to Ollie, 20, and Connor, 30, expressed his surprise at being cast: "Well I was there with my mum and at that point there was a chance that I could play the role of Ryan [Jamie's friend]."
Recounting the moment he received the news, he said: "So when we sat down that was what we were expecting to hear. So when it was the role of Jamie I was like, 'What?' I'd been asleep in the car before we arrived and I'd only just woken up." Still coming to terms with his casting, he added, "I was on a different planet and just thought, 'This is mad!'".
Mandy Millar - Christine Tremarco
Christine Termarco takes on the character of Mandy Miller, drawing from her extensive experience in shows like The Leaving of Liverpool, Waterloo Road, Casualty, and Little Boy Blue. Amélie Pease debuts as Lisa Miller, having joined the Young Performers division at Articulate Agency. Faye Marsay, known for her dynamic performances in The White Queen, Fresh Meat, Need for Speed, Pride, Game of Thrones, and Black Mirror, stars as DS Misha Frank.
More about Adolescence
Filming began in the UK in July 2024 and finished around October. Speaking to RadioTimes about the show, Graham said: “The idea came as – over the past 10 years or so – we’ve seen an epidemic of knife crime amongst young lads, up and down the country. And for me, there were certain instances that really stuck out where young boys – and they are young boys, you know, they're not men – were killing young girls.
"When I mentioned it to Phil, it just really hit me hard. I just thought, 'Why? What's going on? What's happening? Why is this the case?' What's going on with our society as a whole, as a collective, and without being disrespectful, when these things are on the news – and we’re a couple of kids from council estates – but when these things are on the news, your judgement instantly goes to blaming the family, you blame the mum and dad.
"We’re all guilty of it, because that's the easy common denominator. I just thought, ‘What if that's not the case at all?’"
