Adolescence writer Jack Thorne denounces claims of 'race-swapping' in Netflix's true story

Adolescence on Netflix has swept the streaming landscape. Released on March 13, 2025, it is now among the year's most-watched shows. It revolves around Jamie Miller.

He is a young boy who is arrested for fatally stabbing a female classmate, as told in the four-part drama. The show examines the impact of social media, online misogyny, and the nuanced reality of contemporary masculinity. It has received considerable praise in part. This is because of the raw performances and the powerful, single-take cinematography.

Recently, on The News Agents podcast, Jack Thorne addressed misleading accusations about Adolescence. He explained that the series is not based on a factual story and is about masculinity rather than race.

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More about Adolescence Writer Jack Thorne Denouncing Claims

Jamie Miller, 13, is the protagonist of Adolescence. His life takes a tragic turn as he is charged with the murder of a classmate.

The story explores the effects of digital culture and harmful internet influences on his arrest's psychological, social, and familial repercussions. Instead of concentrating on racial themes, the series offers a critique of contemporary masculinity while providing a terrifying look at how outside influences affect young brains.

The director of Adolescence is Jack Thorne. He is a well-known British playwright and screenwriter. He has previously written for theater and television.

Even though the show is fictional, there was controversy. Some viewers thought it was based on actual crimes. This sparked claims of political prejudice and "race-swapping" in the narrative.

As per reports by Collider, Thorne said,

"Nothing is further from the truth."

He further added,

"There is no part of this that's based on a true story, not one single part. It's absurd to say that this [crime] is only committed by Black boys. It's not true. And history shows a lot of cases of kids from all races committing these crimes."

The series examines masculinity and the larger problem of harmful influences on young boys from all backgrounds, he said, dismissing assertions that it concentrates on race.

Thorne clarifies his statement by adding,

"We're not making a point about race with this. We are making a point about masculinity. We're trying to get inside a problem. We're not saying this is one thing or another, we're saying that this is about boys."

Thorne has established a reputation for writing deeply felt stories that deftly and subtly examine societal themes. He wanted to start a dialogue about crime, youth, and the perils of radicalization on the internet with Adolescence.

Read More: Adolescence star Stephen Graham reveals the possibility of a Season 2