The third episode of Netflix’s seminal crime-drama series Adolescence features child psychologist Briony Ariston - but who plays her and why does she look so familiar?
Adolescence has won praise from both UK and US Netflix subscribers alike, with hundreds of watchers tipping Owen Cooper for stardom and celebrating actor Stephen Graham’s honed acting chops.
The TV programme, created by This Is England favourite Graham and Enola Holmes writer Jack Thorne, tells the harrowing story of Jamie Miller (played by Owen), a 13-year-old boy who is arrested on suspicion of murdering his female classmate.
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Across four episodes, Jamie’s family comes to terms with the fact their child has been radicalised by online incel culture, developing a misogynistic view of women.
Another Adolescence star who is receiving an outpouring of positive reviews for her performance is actress Erin Doherty.
The 32-year-old plays Briony Ariston in the miniseries, the child psychologist assigned to evaluate Jamie’s mental health whilst he awaits his murder trial.
The on-screen pair are electric, delivering a chaotic scene that was shot entirely in one take and featured some improvisation.
Erin has been praised for her role by social media users, with one taking to X to gush: “The psychologist's reaction to Jamie's testimony is devastating... Owen Cooper and Erin Doherty performances are award-worthy.”
A second replied: “Really great actress amazing performance.”
“In a race with no clear frontrunner, I see no case where Erin Doherty doesn’t claim Supporting Actress - Limited Series Emmy for her single performance in #Adolescence,” another user said.
“What she does is astounding and visceral, and completely bounces the command of the episode with Owen Cooper.”
If you’ve already watched Adolescence and are itching to know where you recognise Erin from, then two X users may have the answer.
“Good acting especially from the psychologist ginger hair girl I recognised her she played Princess Anne in The Crown,” they wrote.
A second echoed: "I've [adored] Erin Doherty since The Crown, so I'm happy with recognition she's getting for Adolescence."
What TV shows has Erin Doherty been in?
Of course, Erin portrayed Anne, Princess Royal, in both seasons three and four of Netflix’s The Crown.
However, that isn’t the only lauded programme the British actress has appeared in. Back in 2017, Erin made her television debut as Jessie March in an episode of BBC’s long-running period drama, Call the Midwife.
A year later, she played Fabienne in the miniseries Les Misérables before winning the role of Dee in an episode of Unprecedented.
Following her exit from The Crown, The Bristol Old Vic Theatre School alumna appeared as the protagonist of the Amazon Prime Video series Becky.
She also recently appeared beside Graham as Mary Carr in Disney+’s A Thousand Blows.
In 2024, Erin’s feature film debut Firebrand premiered in the UK.
The movie, which debuted at Cannes Film Festival in May 2023, also features actors Alicia Vikander, Jude Law, and Sam Riley.
In the same year Firebrand headed to cinemas, Erin appeared in Virgina Gilbert’s psychological thriller Reawakening, where she portrayed a mysterious woman named Clare who ran away from home when she was just 14 years old.
As well as having a rising TV and film career, the West Sussex-born actress has made a handful of notable theatre appearances, including the 2017 adaptation of A Christmas Carol at London’s Old Vic, and the revival of Death of England: Closing Time at @sohoplace.
And if you still don’t recognise Erin, then you may know her from taking part in 2024’s Soccer Aid for UNICEF event, where she helped England triumph over the World XI 6-3.
Adolescence is now available to stream on Netflix.
Topics: Celebrity, Adolescence, TV And Film, Cannes Film Festival, Entertainment, Netflix, The Crown, BBC
Ella Scott