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Netflix’s new crime-drama Adolescence has already won the attention of celebrities like Jeremy Clarkson while dividing fans with its ‘impressive’ yet ‘disturbing’ storyline.
The popularity of the four-part British programme is already soaring, with the BBC reporting Adolescence was the most-watched Netflix show over the weekend.
Released on March 13, the miniseries sees 13-year-old Jamie Miller (played by newcomer Owen Cooper) being arrested by police on suspicion of the brutal murder of his classmate, Katie Leonard.
His father, Eddie (Stephen Graham) agrees to be his son’s ‘appropriate adult’, supporting and defending Jamie as he’s searched and questioned by officers.
Set over a thirteen-month period, Adolescence masterfully chronicles Jamie and Eddie grappling with the effects of online radicalism, learned violence and the incel subculture.
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Graham was inspired to make the show with director Philip Barantini and writer Jack Thorne after seeing two separate reports of young boys stabbing girls to death.
“I just thought, what's going on in society where this kind of thing is becoming a regular occurrence?" he said during an appearance on BBC’s The One Show.
"I just couldn't fathom it. So I wanted to really have a look and try and shine a light on this particular thing."
As well as its modern-day subject, each episode of Adolescence is filmed in one continuous shot.
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This ambitious technique has led some fans to question how many shots it actually took for the cast to nail each episode - and now Netflix has revealed all.
How many times was each episode of Adolescence shot?
On March 15, the streaming giant announced that each episode of Adolescence was originally going to be filmed a full ten times across five days.
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However, due to a few attempts being abandoned and restarted, it took some episodes more than ten to nail.
Amazingly, the first episode was nailed on the first day of shooting, taking just two takes to perfect.
13 versions of Adolescence’s second instalment were filmed before Barantini was satisfied, while episode three - featuring an improvised yawn - took 11 takes.
The fourth and final chapter took an astonishing 16 takes and was also completed on the fifth and final day of shooting.
What happened if a cast member made a mistake while filming?
People have also naturally been curious about what happens if an actor makes a blunder.
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Well, bosses at the streaming service explained: "It depends on the size of the mistake – in some instances they carried on, but often takes were completely abandoned. No pressure!"
Why some viewers believe Adolescence is an ‘impressive’ but ‘disturbing’ series
It appears Adolescence has divided Netflix subscribers and reviewers alike.
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Telegraph TV critic Antita Singh complained the single-shot technique can sometimes ‘feel like a gimmick’, but remarked that the Adolescence acting was ‘phenomenal’.
Meanwhile, another viewer gushed: “Just watched #Adolescence—a disturbing ****look at how social media influences can shape young teens.
“The fact that every episode was shot in one take, with no cuts or pauses, is seriously impressive.”
Other viewers haven’t been so favourable in their reviews tough, hitting out at the series’ ‘disappointing’ ending.
"Just finished Adolescence on Netflix. The acting was amazing and very good storyline, but the ending could've been better in my opinion!,” one user wrote.
"Only thing I wish is there was 1-2 episodes focuses on the Trial at court! Would been interesting seeing the young lad crack under pressure, snap, and how that affected the trial decision,” replied someone else.
However, another fan has rushed to the defence of Adolescence’s open-ended conclusion, claiming the programme ‘wasn’t made for entertainment purposes’.
“It was showing how children's actions have an effect on family and it was important to include,” they stated.
Whether you love or loathe it, relive the one-shot thriller all over again, with all episodes streaming now on Netflix.
Topics: Adolescence, Netflix, TV And Film, Entertainment, Crime
Ella Scott