Not Just a One-Hit Wonder?
After its smash debut, the future of Adolescence, Netflix’s intense British drama, is looking brighter than fans might have expected. Initially intended as a standalone piece, the show’s success has sparked conversations at the highest level, with none other than Brad Pitt’s production house, Plan B Entertainment, leading the charge for a potential follow-up.
In a recent interview, Plan B’s Dede Gardner and Jeremy Kleiner revealed they’re already in talks with director Philip Barantini about a “next iteration” of the series. But don’t expect a carbon copy. The team is eager to “widen the aperture” while remaining true to the show’s gritty, emotionally raw DNA.
Smashing Records and Stirring Minds
Since its release on 13 March, Adolescence has captivated a global audience, clocking over 114.5 million viewers. The single-take format, described by Gardner as “essential, not gimmicky”, helped drive home the show’s intense themes, teenage vulnerability, online radicalisation, and toxic masculinity.
Set around 13-year-old Jamie, accused of murdering a classmate under the influence of online extremism, the show struck a cultural nerve. Its impact has been so profound that it’s even been rolled out to UK secondary schools as a learning tool.
Creators Weigh In: New Story, Same Spirit?
Despite the hype, not everyone is convinced that another season is the right move. Co-creator and writer Jack Thorne believes Jamie’s story has run its course. “I don’t think there’s anywhere more we can take Jamie,” he said, suggesting a new season would need fresh characters and a different narrative.
Director Philip Barantini echoed those thoughts, viewing the original as a self-contained story. Still, he and others remain open to revisiting the concept, as long as the approach stays authentic.
What’s Next?
The appetite is clearly there; now it’s a question of how to follow up something so critically acclaimed without losing its edge. While nothing is confirmed, the combination of record-breaking viewership and powerful storytelling makes Adolescence a strong candidate for a creative sequel, not a continuation, but perhaps a new lens on similar themes.
Whether it’s Jamie’s world or someone else’s, the next chapter could still be just as confronting and essential.
