“Adolescence” has quickly taken the world by storm. In its first weekend, the Netflix original series scored over 24 million views — making it the streaming platform’s most-watched show of the entire week. Its impact has been palpable and immediate as viewers have taken to social media to discuss the show’s difficult, important themes, powerhouse performances and virtuosic direction (every episode is shot in one unbroken camera take).
Taking all of that into account, here is what you should know about the series’ length, origins and future.
Is “Adolescence” only four episodes?
Yes, “Adolescence” really is only four episodes long. Don’t worry, though, it packs a lot — both emotionally and narratively — into its four chapters.
How long are the show’s episodes?
Every episode of “Adolescence” runs around an hour long. Its longest episode is its premiere, which clocks in at 65 minutes, while its second installment is its shortest, running just 51 minutes long. All in all, the series asks for around four hours of your time.
Is “Adolescence” Season 2 happening?
As of now, “Adolescence” Season 2 does not seem to be in active development. Creators Stephen Graham and Jack Thorne have spoken at great length about what they wanted to explore in “Adolescence,” and they extensively do so across its four episodes. Given how the show’s fourth episode ends, it does not seem like there is much of a narrative reason to bring “Adolescence” back, either. At least, not to explore the same central tragedy or characters.
Netflix has, however, brought back other successful shows over the years that were originally meant to be limited to one season. So stay tuned to TheWrap for any potential updates about the series’ future.
What inspired “Adolescence”?
“Adolescence” was originally inspired by a string of knife crimes throughout the United Kingdom, including the 2021 murder of a 12-year-old girl by a 14-year-old boy in Liverpool. In the wake of these tragic events, co-creator and star Stephen Graham decided to collaborate with co-creator Jack Thorne on a show that, as Thorne has said, looks straight “in the eye of male rage” and explores the toxicity of online incel culture and the growing radicalization of young men by figures like accused rapist and human trafficker Andrew Tate.
The series, consequently, dives into the psychology of a young British boy who is arrested for the murder of a young girl around his age and the impact that his actions have on not only his family but everyone in their close-knit community.
What are critics saying about “Adolescence”?
“Adolescence” has received widespread critical acclaim in the days since it premiered. It has already been hailed as one of the best TV shows of 2025. In TheWrap’s review of “Adolescence,” critic Amber Dowling called the series “a master class in gut-wrenching material.”
Watch the trailer:
“Adolescence” is streaming now on Netflix.
