A harrowing limited series from the U.K. A spring debut on Netflix. A near-perfect score on Rotten Tomatoes. The creator-writer is also the star.
With Baby Reindeer making an indelible mark on the awards landscape last year, Netflix is employing a now-familiar playbook in the hopes the streamer’s latest buzz-worthy release, Adolescence, follows a similar trajectory to awards gold.
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The launch
Baby Reindeer, which chronicled the real-life story of a struggling stand-up comedian (Richard Gadd, a comedian little known outside of his native Scotland) and his stalker (Jessica Gunning), seemingly came out of nowhere. Fueled by strong reviews (a 99 percent fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes) and word of mouth, the seven-episode series became an instant must-watch breakout, jumping to No. 1 on the platform in its second week and acquiring 52.8 million viewing hours.
A four-episode crime drama, Adolescence was co-created and co-written by Stephen Graham, a two-time SAG winner as part of the Boardwalk Empire ensemble, and Jack Thorne. Graham also stars as Eddie Miller, the father of 13-year-old Jamie Miller (Owen Cooper), who is arrested for allegedly murdering a classmate. Each episode is directed by Philip Barantini and filmed in a single take as viewers follow Jamie’s path through the British legal system.
Although some TV critics were initially hesitant about the one-shot storytelling device, they came around, calling Adolescence “quietly devastating,” “astounding,” and a “must-watch.” The program launched with a 100 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a 90 score on Metacritic (based on 25 reviews). Since then, its Tomatometer score dipped to 98 percent, with a single top critic declining to give the series a fresh rating: The New Yorker‘s Inkoo Kang, who said Adolescence‘s “flashy, fragmentary approach undermines its attempts to illuminate.”
Adolescence dropped on March 13 and drew 24.3 million views in its first four days of availability to debut at No. 1 on the Netflix English TV charts, echoing the rise of Baby Reindeer. Adolescence also reached the top spot in 71 countries.
The campaign
Baby Reindeer failed to merit a mention on Netflix’s “For Your Consideration” listings when it premiered on April 11, 2023. It wasn’t even clear if Baby Reindeer would be submitted for the Primetime or International Emmys. Ten days after its hit debut, however, Netflix confirmed Baby Reindeer would compete at the Primetime Emmys. The series climbed into the No. 1 spot on Gold Derby’s charts for Best Limited Series in mid-June. It remained there throughout the rest of the season until its victory on Sept. 15.
While Adolescence might feel like it too materialized from nowhere, Netflix has always had Emmy hopes for the series and has positioned it as the next Baby Reindeer. As with that series, Adolescence is skyrocketing up Gold Derby’s Emmy charts, currently ranking in fourth place to win Best Limited Series. Expect that to change as more of our experts, editors, and users discover the Netflix series.
Besides Graham and Cooper, other Adolescence cast members with Emmy nominations in their sights include Erin Doherty as psychologist Briony Ariston and Ashley Walters as Detective Inspector Luke Bascombe.
The paydirt
Baby Reindeer went on an absolute heater during the awards season. It captured six Emmys (including three for producer-writer-star Gadd), two Golden Globes, two Critics Choice Awards, and one Screen Actors Guild Award; breakout star Gunning prevailed at every televised awards show.
With Adolescence, Netflix hopes to once again catch lightning in a bottle.
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Think Adolescence will repeat the success of Baby Reindeer? Give us your hot takes in the comments section below and in our TV forums.
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