A new television series entitled Adolescence aims to tackle the troubling issue of adolescent male rage and rising knife crime in the United Kingdom. The series is notably rooted in tragic real-life incidents, including the heartbreaking case of 15-year-old Elianne Andam, who was murdered outside a Croydon shopping centre in September 2023.
The actor Stephen Graham, who co-wrote the series, reflects on how he was inspired by numerous news reports concerning young boys involved in knife crimes across the country. "An incident in Liverpool, a young girl, and she was stabbed to death by a young boy. I just thought, why?" Graham recounted in an interview with Radio Times. His inquiry led him to delve deeper into the rising trend of violent crimes involving young people.
Graham was particularly struck by the unfortunate case of Elianne Andam, who was fatally stabbed by 17-year-old Hassan Sentamu. This incident not only made headlines but also sparked conversations around the motives and societal issues that fuel such horrific actions. Graham elaborated, "Then there was another young girl in south London who was stabbed to death at a bus stop." The series seeks to illuminate these dark narratives by narrating the story of an ordinary family, thrust into an extraordinary nightmare.
In Adolescence, Stephen Graham portrays Eddie Miller, a father whose 13-year-old son, Jamie, tragically takes the life of his female classmate. The narrative focuses on the turmoil that families may face, prompting viewers to question whether similar incidents could occur in their own lives. Graham explained the show’s purpose: "I was thinking, ‘What’s happening in society where a boy stabs a girl to death?’ And then it happened again, and it happened again, and it happened again. I really just wanted to shine a light on it, and ask, ‘Why is this happening today? What’s going on? How have we come to this?’"
The launch of the show coincides with a troubling statistical rise in violent crimes involving knives in England and Wales. According to the latest figures, offenses involving knives or sharp instruments increased by four percent, amounting to a total of 55,008 incidents in the year ending September 2024 compared to the same period during the previous year. This rise highlights the urgent need for dialogue around public safety and the underlying sociocultural issues affecting youth.
Hassan Sentamu, the young man responsible for Elianne Andam’s death, was sentenced to at least 23 years in prison on March 13, 2025. The courtroom revelations unveiled a chilling account of the events leading up to Andam's murder. Prior to the fatal encounter, Sentamu had been made fun of by a group of girls, including Andam, which reportedly fueled his deadly reaction. He had made arrangements with his ex-girlfriend to meet and exchange personal items, intending to recover a teddy bear from her. On the fateful day, Andam accompanied Sentamu's ex under the guise of providing support.
During the meetup, things turned tragic. After Sentamu arrived, he reportedly felt humiliated and decided to retaliate, escalating to the point of violence. Witnesses reported that Sentamu took out a knife and stabbed Andam multiple times, including a fatal blow to the neck before fleeing the scene. Despite immediate medical assistance arriving shortly after, Andam tragically died at the scene.
Sentamu was apprehended shortly after the incident, and during a court hearing, he pled guilty to manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility, attributing his actions to his autism. In sentencing remarks, Judge Mrs. Justice Cheema-Grubb expressed empathy for both the victim and her family, recognizing that "the responsibility for Elianne’s death will be with you for the rest of your day.” She poignantly remarked on Andam's lost potential, stating, “At just 15 years old she had her whole life ahead of her, filled with hopes and dreams for the future — all cruelly taken away from her and from us.”
The grief felt by Andam’s family following this senseless act of violence has been profound. In a statement, her parents conveyed the irreplaceable void her death left in their lives. They expressed their sorrow over losing their daughter, stating, “Her death has left a void in our lives that can never be filled.”
The narratives woven throughout Adolescence, coupled with real-life tragedies, create a powerful commentary on the challenges and questions surrounding male violence and societal norms. As viewers prepare to engage with this new series, it serves as a critical prompt to consider the root causes of such violence and how society might address these alarming trends.
In the end, the show and the tragic stories that inspired it urge audiences to confront uncomfortable questions: What can be done to halt the cycle of violence? How can communities unite to ensure a safer environment for youth? While Adolescence dramatizes one family's worst nightmare, it also encapsulates a growing concern that affects society as a whole.
