Netflix’s Record-Breaking Crime Drama Viewers “Can’t Look Away From” Shoots Back Into Streaming Charts Following Emmys Win

After taking the entire world by storm earlier this year, one of Netflix‘s best and most-watched series ever is making another comeback on the streaming charts, following its massive awards win. As the most popular streaming platform in the world, Netflix is no stranger to having record-breaking hits. Wednesday is the most-viewed series on the streamer so far, while Stranger Things, Dahmer, and Bridgerton were also insanely successful. But in early 2025, Netflix released its most poignant and hard-hitting crime drama, and it shook everyone who watched it. We’re heading into the next Awards season, which was kicked off by the Emmys just last week, and Adolescence made its mark on TV history by breaking even more records. Following that win, subscribers have found another reason to dive back into the four-episode limited series.

Less than a year after it was released, Adolescence has made its way back into the streaming charts following its historic Emmys sweep. Seth Rogan’s The Studio might have won the most awards, but Adolescence won viewers’ hearts, thanks in large part to its young performer, Owen Cooper. The 15-year-old made history by becoming the youngest ever actor to win a Primetime Emmy for his role as Jamie Miller in the show. Following his win and the seven other accolades the series won, Adolescence is currently the sixth most popular series on Netflix worldwide.

Adolescence was created by Jack Thorne and Stephen Graham, with the latter also starring in the series as Jamie’s dad, Eddie. Over four episodes, each of which was shot in a single continuous take, audiences watch Jamie get accused of stabbing a female classmate, before watching how this affects the other students at school, his family, and Jamie’s own reaction. It’s an unconventional way of telling such a story, but that’s why it worked so well. Adolescence is Netflix’s second most-watched series ever, with over 546 million hours of watchtime, and a total of 142 million views. Only Wednesday has more hours watched and overall views, which shows how popular Adolescence has been.

‘Adolescence’ Has Left Its Mark on Viewers

Netflix

To call Adolescence a phenomenon would be an understatement. The series was all Netflix subscribers talked about for weeks following its release. The UK Government even got involved, calling for schools to show the series to students to teach them about the reality and impact of knife crime (which is a rising issue across the UK). Adolescence also made waves in critical circles. The series holds a near-flawless 98% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Audiences were (ironically) more critical of the series, especially in the wake of its immense popularity, bestowing it with a 74% audience rating. But even among the mixed audience ratings, some have hailed Adolescence as “one of the best shows I’ve ever seen,” with another calling it a “tense drama that I can’t look away from.”

Following the show’s success, especially after the Emmys, there is currently talk of Stephen Graham and Jack Thorne reuniting for a second season. It is unclear whether Season 2 will continue Jamie’s story, focus on knife crime from a different angle, or tackle another issue altogether. All we can say is, we’re excited to see what Thorne and Graham do next.

Release Date

March 13, 2025

Network

Netflix

Directors

Philip Barantini

• 

• 

• 

• 

  Amélie Pease

  Lisa Miller