Netflix’s Adolescence Continues Its Record-Breaking March
Netflix’s first episode of Adolescence, which has dominated the global cultural zeitgeist over the past fortnight, became the first-ever UK streaming show to top the weekly British ratings chart while also amassing the biggest audience for any streaming TV show in the UK in a single week. According to ratings agency Barb, the first episode was watched by nearly 6.5 million viewers in its first week after launching on March 13, 2025, while episode two was close behind on 6 million. Both of these figures bested the most-watched linear show, The Apprentice, which recorded 5.8 million viewers when consolidated seven-day viewing figures are taken into account. The week being measured was between March 10 and March 16, and Adolescence only launched on March 13, meaning that for three days of that week, the show wasn’t even available.
Produced by Warp Films, Brad Pitt’s Plan B, and Matriarch Productions, the big hitter by Philip Barantini and Stephen Graham has created worldwide debates about social media and teenage masculinity. It has surpassed shows like Fool Me Once, Baby Reindeer, and The Gentlemen to take the biggest audience for any streaming TV show in the UK. Its ratings continue to rise.
This landmark achievement is a demonstration of the power of streaming in 2025, although it is perhaps surprising that it has taken this long for a show like Adolescence to break the record in the digital age. While linear television continues to draw big audiences, recent reports revealed that Netflix was the most-watched TV service in the UK for three months last year, overtaking BBC One for the first time. Netflix UK content boss Anne Mensah has received praise for greenlighting a series of hits, including Adolescence and Baby Reindeer.
Worldwide, Adolescence comfortably topped the charts with 24 million views and nearly 100 million hours watched in its initial week, while Running Point trailed with 6 million views. Penned by Jack Thorne and starring Graham, Ashley Walters, and breakout teen Owen Cooper, Adolescence centers on 13-year-old schoolboy Jamie Miller, who is arrested for the murder of a female classmate, Katie Leonard. Each of its four episodes was shot in one continuous take, adding to the immersive experience.
“My husband and I just watched all four episodes of the new Netflix show Adolescence, and haven’t been able to stop thinking or talking about it,” noted a viewer. They described the series as “intensely educational and eye-opening,” comparable to a parental PSA. The widespread reception indicates that many parents feel compelled to address the implications surrounding their children.
Autopilot of concerns regarding the treatment of boys and the impact of social media was captured in viewer discussions. Notably, the show has resonated with parents who worry about the contemporary climate for adolescent boys. Stephen Graham, the actor, spoke about the show’s underlying message, saying, “You know that beautiful saying it takes a village to raise a child? Well, I just thought, what if we’re all kind of accountable? You know, the education system, parenting, the community, the government, and [social media]?”
Moreover, it delves into how young people today are interacting with their peers and the escalating challenges faced in deciphering complex social cues, especially regarding bullying and its language. The series unveils the coded language of emojis and phrases used among adolescents, urging adults to engage in open discussions about the digital reality of today’s youth.
Beyond conversations at home, the series is having a sweeping impact on political discourse in Britain. Prime Minister Keir Starmer remarked in the House of Commons that he was watching Adolescence with his children and emphasized the urgent need to address the “fatal consequences” of young boys consuming harmful content online.
As conversations around digital safety and youth accountability intensify, Stephen’s message resonates: the community must share in the responsibility of raising the next generation while navigating the complexities of modern life.
The show also highlights the complexities of digital schooling and a pressing concern echoed in various discussions among parents and educators. The tension between protection in physical spaces while under-preparing children for threats lurking within online environments surfaced consistently. The pressing reality calls attention to the need to adapt parental approaches to modern challenges presented by technology, emphasizing proactive strategies to shield children from the multitude of threats.
Parents across the UK are actively engaging in dialogues about their children’s online presence. Numerous individuals echoed sentiments of connecting with like-minded parents, seeking to impose limits on smartphone access, and establishing robust guidelines to safeguard kids from the uncertainties of modern digital life.
Moreover, parent-to-parent support groups are forming, with discussions inspired by influential narratives likened to those found in Haidt’s noted works about children’s vulnerabilities in both physical and digital landscapes. These groups collectively advocate for strategic measures including limited smartphone access until later ages and addressing harmful digital influences.
As viewers look beyond the screen, the realized sense of urgency spurred by Adolescence fosters a willing community focused on embracing proactive measures and collective responsibility in safeguarding young hearts and minds in today’s landscape.
The narrative direction of Adolescence serves as a pivotal shift in contemporary television, bringing forward themes that resonate deeply with growing parental concerns and societal responsibilities.
