Adolescence is an emotional new Netflix drama that has gripped viewers for its powerful storyline and filming technique. Netflix has now answered some of the viewers’ burning questions

Netflix has finally answered questions about Adolescence that viewers can’t stop asking.

The emotional new drama centred around a teenage stabbing incident has captivated viewers with its intense narrative and incredible filming technique – each episode was filmed in one shot. Adolescence is a limited series in which 13-year-old Jamie Miller (Owen Cooper) is accused of murdering his classmate, Katie Leonard, much to the horror of his parents Eddie Miller (Stephen Graham) and Manda Miller (Christine Tremarco).

Viewers have been left curious about the technicalities behind how the gripping series was filmed. Netflix UK & Ireland took to social media platform X to answer some common questions.

The first is ‘surely they didn’t film each episode in one shot, right?!’ Netflix’s response is: “They absolutely did! If you can’t see the joins, it’s because there aren’t any. Each episode was genuinely filmed in real-time in one continuous shot. We promise!”

All the episodes were shot in one take ( 
Image:
Courtesy of Netflix)
Director Philip Barantini told Netflix: “Basically that means we press record on the camera, and we don’t press stop until the very end of the hour. But it’s much more complicated than it sounds.

“It takes months of preparation and weeks of rehearsals and an incredible team of people to pull it off at every stage, from the script to the locations to the production design to where exactly the camera is going to be able to shoot and from what angle.”

The second burning question from viewers is ‘so did they film each episode more than once?’ To this, Netflix replied: “A lot more. It was initially planned that they would film each episode in full 10 times (once in the morning, once in the afternoon, across five days) – but in reality a few attempts had to be abandoned and restarted, so some episodes had many more than 10 takes.”

Netflix also confirmed which takes were chosen for the final episodes. Episode 1 take 2 was used, shot on shoot day 1 of 5, episode 2 take 13 was chosen, shot on shoot day 5 of 5, for episode 3, take 11 was used, shot on shoot day 5 of 5 and take 16 of episode 4 was selected, shot on shoot day 5 as well.

The next question is about how the cast prepared. Netflix said that “segments of the script were rehearsed and a little bit more added each day.” They started with five minutes on the first day and further material was added as they went along so by the end of the week they would be doing full run-throughs.

Viewers also asked about how the crew stayed out of shot as the camera moved around. The streaming giant replied: “During these rehearsals the cast would also work through the choreography, allowing the DOP (director of photography) to plan the positions of the camera through the whole take, as well as the movements of the crew.

“Sometimes it was necessary for some of the crew to remain in shot, in these instances they were dressed in costume so that they could blend into the show to serve as extras in the shot.”

Stephen Graham as Eddie Miller and Christine Tremarco as Manda Miller ( 
Image:
Courtesy of Netflix)
Another question on lots of viewers’ minds is ‘how did they film the drone shot at the end of Episode 2?’ Netflix explained that the DOP carries the camera and trails a school pupil to the traffic lights with a wide shot as she goes at the end of the school day.

Before she crosses the road, “a team attach the camera to a drone, which then flies a distance of 0.3 miles across the site to the murder scene, where it comes down to a camera operator and team of grips who smoothly catch the camera and transition into a close shot of Stephen Graham.”

The next question is on how many extras there were in the school in the second episode. Netflix confirmed that 320 teenagers played school children and 50 adults acted as teachers, shoppers and parents. All the extras “had to be in exactly the right place at the right time.”

Finally, viewers asked ‘what if someone messed up their lines or did the wrong thing?’ Netflix responded: “It depends on the size of the mistake – in some instances they carried on, but often takes were completely abandoned. No pressure!”

Stephen Graham is the star and co-writer of Adolescence, and viewers have highly praised the series. One X user said: “It would be great if Stephen Graham etc could write series 2 from the murdered girl and her family’s perspective. This is genuinely one of the best dramas I’ve seen; the storyline, the acting, the message etc it was first class. It should be shown from age 12 and in schools.”

Another added: “I think you should show it in cinemas and schools. It’s an astonishing piece of work.”