Netflix’s “Adolescence” Tackles Teen Violence in Stunning Single-Take Episodes

Netflix is set to premiere “Adolescence,” a groundbreaking four-part drama that explores the emotional repercussions of a teenage stabbing, with each episode filmed in a single, continuous shot, The Associated Press reports.

The British show, debuting Thursday, utilizes a unique filmmaking technique to create an immersive and immediate experience for viewers.

Director Philip Barantini, known for his use of this style to enhance immediacy, orchestrated a complex process where the camera was passed between operators like a relay race. The camera was clipped on and off drones and seamlessly transferred among the fast-moving crew as they followed the actors in and out of buildings and vehicles.

“You have that kind of spontaneity and that energy that you get from doing a play and doing a live performance,” explains Stephen Graham, who previously collaborated with Barantini on “Boiling Point,” adding that the style combines the naturalistic approach of television acting with a theatrical flair. Graham stars alongside Erin Doherty (“The Crown”) and Ashley Walters.

Newcomer Owen Cooper takes on the central role of Jamie Miller, the young boy accused of the crime. The narrative, co-created and written by Graham and Jack Thorne, expands beyond the victim’s family to focus on the impact on Jamie’s family, friends, schoolmates, and the professionals involved in the case. Graham conceived the shift to explore the question of who bears responsibility for teen violence.

According to Barantini, meticulous planning is essential for this style of filmmaking. After receiving the script, he and his team trim scenes that are unworkable. Location scouting is critical, with the production even building a purpose-built police station in the north of England where the show is set. The number of stairs in the station was carefully calculated to ensure the correct travel time for characters and their dialogue.

Extensive rehearsals are conducted to refine movements for both cast and crew, minimizing wasted filming time. Walters, who portrays a soul-searching police officer investigating Jamie, found he could use his movements through the locations to remember the timing of his lines.