After Adolescence skyrocketed to the top of Netflix’s most-watched charts, the streaming giant took the weekend to answer fan questions about how the gripping Stephen Graham-led series was created.
Director Philip Barantini employed his signature one-shot approach for each of the four episodes, meaning the camera continuously follows the action in real-time for the entire hour.
Barantini shared insights into the immense preparation required for the series, including intense rehearsals and coordinating hundreds of extras.
Which Takes Made the Final Cut?
Netflix has now revealed which takes were used for each episode of the intense drama, which follows a 13-year-old boy accused of murdering a classmate.
- Episode 1 – Take 2 – Filmed on Day 1 of 5
- Episode 2 – Take 13 – Filmed on Day 5 of 5
- Episode 3 – Take 11 – Filmed on Day 5 of 5
- Episode 4 – Take 16 – Filmed on Day 5 of 5
The first episode, set primarily in a police station, was completed in just the second take during its five-day shoot. Episode two, capturing the chaos within a school reacting to the crime, was finalized on take 13 with a massive cast of 370 extras.
The third episode required 11 takes, as Barantini sought the perfect balance in the emotionally charged interactions between breakout star Owen Cooper (who plays accused teen Jamie Miller) and Erin Doherty (The Crown), who portrays a psychologist.
The final episode, which focuses on the Miller family grappling with their son’s situation, was captured in take 16 on the last day of filming.
Adolescence Series
The Challenges of One-Shot Filming
Netflix originally planned to film each episode 10 times, with one attempt in the morning and another in the afternoon. However, some episodes required additional takes due to various challenges.
At times, actors flubbed their lines, leading to retakes, while in other cases, they improvised through mistakes and continued performing. To prepare for the demanding shoots, rehearsals were structured daily, starting with a portion of Jack Thorne’s script and gradually expanding in five-minute increments until actors were performing full episodes.
During these rehearsals, cast members worked through choreographed sequences, allowing the director of photography to carefully map out camera movements. In some scenes, crew members were dressed in costume to seamlessly blend into the background.
The Stunning Drone Shot That Left Viewers in Awe
One of the most impressive moments in Adolescence comes in Episode 2, when the camera seamlessly transitions from inside the school to the crime scene. The intricate shot left many—including Jeremy Clarkson, who called the show “amazing”—wondering how it was achieved.*
Barantini recalled telling Thorne to “imagine the camera could fly.” The result? A drone-assisted shot that gave the sequence its breathtaking effect.
How it was done:
- A DOP (Director of Photography) follows a school pupil to the traffic lights as the school day ends.
- Just before she crosses the road, a team attaches the camera to a drone.
- The drone then flies 0.3 miles across the site, soaring over traffic lights to the murder scene.
- A team of grips catches the camera and transitions into a close-up of Stephen Graham—all in a single, fluid motion.
Netflix explained: “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.”
A Smash Hit for Netflix
Adolescence has quickly become a standout success for Netflix, earning widespread acclaim and showing signs of being a ratings juggernaut. In the UK alone, the first episode was watched by 2.7 million people within just two days of release.
With its innovative filmmaking techniques and powerful performances, Adolescence is proving to be one of the year’s most talked-about shows.
