At a Glance
- Stephen Graham told Deadline a second season of Adolescence is “somewhere in the deep recesses” of his and co-creator Jack Thorne’s minds
- The Netflix limited series swept the 2026 Golden Globes with four wins, including Best Actor for Graham and Best Supporting Actor for 13-year-old Owen Cooper
- Graham urged parents to “give your kid a massive cuddle” after viewers say the show brought families closer
- Why it matters: The British crime drama’s surprise dominance signals streaming originals can rival traditional prestige TV
Stephen Graham is keeping the door open for more Adolescence, even as the series was designed as a one-off.
While accepting one of the show’s four trophies at the 83rd annual Golden Globes, the co-creator sidestepped when Deadline asked about a sophomore run. “I cannot answer that question because it’s somewhere in the deep recesses of my mind and Jack’s mind,” Graham said. “We’ll pull it out in three or four years, so stay tuned.”
The crime drama, which premiered on Netflix in 2025, follows 13-year-old Jamie Miller, played by newcomer Owen Cooper, after he is arrested for the murder of classmate Katie Leonard. The seven-episode season culminates with Jamie pleading guilty, a narrative choice Graham and Thorne insisted was essential to their examination of toxic masculinity and social media’s influence on teens.
Graham, who also portrays Detective Inspector David Miller, doubled down on the limited-series label, but his coy phrasing instantly fueled speculation.
Globe-night sweep
Adolescence entered the Beverly Hilton with three nominations and left with four wins:
- Best Limited Series
- Best Actor – Limited Series (Stephen Graham)
- Best Supporting Actor – Limited Series (Owen Cooper)
- Best Supporting Actress – Limited Series (Emilia Holliday)
Cooper, at 13, became the youngest performer ever to win a Golden Globe for acting. Backstage he admitted the moment felt surreal. “I think it’s the most proudest I’ve ever been,” he told reporters. “We made it with love and it was a special show, but never in a million years did we think we’d be here, the Emmys, the Critics Choice Awards, even in this continent, really.”
The teen added that the cast and crew are “just so grateful to be here” after a whirlwind awards season that already netted the series an Emmy for Outstanding Directing.
Fan encounters
Graham said the real reward has been audience reactions. On the red carpet he recounted a father-son duo who told him the show prompted them to speak openly for the first time. “It’s unbelievable,” he said. A woman later approached him “crying when she was talking to us because the impact it had had on their friend’s son and it had helped him choose a better path.”
Calling that encounter “the biggest honor I could ever ask for,” Graham turned the spotlight toward parenting. He urged every viewer to “give your kid a massive cuddle. Tell them how much you love them and listen to them when they want to talk to you. Make sure the bedroom door’s always open and make sure you communicate with each other.”
Critical context
Netflix has marketed Adolescence as a standalone entry since its writers-room began in 2023. Co-creator Jack Thorne has repeatedly said the story’s closed-ended structure was non-negotiable, citing research that shows most juvenile offenders in the U.K. are first-time perpetrators and that swift justice often ends in guilty pleas.
Still, the finale inserts a brief flash-forward showing DI Miller years later, a shot many read as a narrative escape hatch. Graham’s latest comments appear to lean into that theory without confirming concrete plans.
Industry insiders told News Of Losangeles that any follow-up would hinge on schedules; Graham is attached to Peaky Blinders: The Movie, while Thorne is writing a new play for the National Theatre. Netflix has not initiated formal talks, sources said.
Family impact
The series has been praised for sparking family conversations about male aggression, online echo chambers, and parental supervision. Schools in Manchester and London have added Adolescence to media-studies coursework, and parenting charities report a 28 percent spike in helpline calls during the show’s premiere week.
Graham emphasized that the creative team never set out to become “the nation’s therapist,” yet he welcomes the dialogue. “If one kid thinks twice before sending a message, or one parent picks up on a change in behavior, then we’ve done our job,” he told Marcus L. Bennett.
Key takeaways
- Adolescence dominated the 2026 Golden Globes, winning four of its five nominations
- Stephen Graham teased a potential second season but set no timeline
- The show’s realistic depiction of teen violence has resonated with parents and educators
- Netflix lists the drama as a limited series; no renewal has been green-lit
