When Adolescence debuted on Netflix, its creators Stephen Graham and Hannah Walters were preparing for the quiet after the storm. “I haven’t got a job!” Graham had joked to Walters just before the premiere. What followed was anything but quiet. The four-part British drama – shot entirely in one-take sequences and telling the haunting story of a teenager accused of murder – quickly became a global sensation, topping Netflix charts in over 80 countries and shattering viewership records in the UK.
Naturally, with success of that scale, the question on everyone’s lips is: will there be a season two?
The short answer? Maybe.
Originally developed as a limited series, Adolescence was never meant to stretch beyond its four intricately choreographed episodes. Yet the overwhelming audience response – and the critical acclaim praising both its social commentary and technical artistry – has left the door ajar. "Possibly,"was the response from show creator Graham via Variety, acknowledging the show’s meteoric numbers. Walters, ever the realist, is more cautious: "It’s hard to follow up something that has had such an incredible impact."
But it looks like Brad Pitt could be up to the task, with the actor's production company, Plan B Entertainment, which co-produced the first installment, reportedly in talks to produce the next iteration.
Speaking to Deadline,on Wednesday, Dede Gardner and Jeremy Kleiner, co-presidents of Plan B, indicated Adolescence could be set to return. Gardner said they are keen to “widen the aperture, stay true to its DNA [and] not be repetitive,”
What’s clear is that Netflix would be eager to keep the conversation going. Walters hints that discussions haven’t officially begun, but “everyone’s happy,” and there’s interest in exploring new one-shot stories rooted in human nature. A direct sequel or prequel may be off the table, but the spirit of Adolescence could live on in another form.
For now, Walters and Graham are keeping busy through their production company Matriarch, which they launched in 2020. Following Adolescence, they’ve got Season 2 of A Thousand Blows ready to go and a slate of new projects both intimate and blockbuster-sized – quietly underway.
Whether or not Adolescence returns, its legacy is already being felt in classrooms, in homes, and across generations. “It’s cut through all the race, creed and hierarchical structures of society,” says Graham. And if Netflix calls, the duo’s door is open.
