Adolescence: Parents Guide and Age Rating (2025)

Adolescence is an upcoming British crime drama limited series created by Stephen Graham and Jack Thorne. The series follows a family whose life is shattered when 13-year-old Jamie Miller (Owen Cooper) is arrested for the murder of a teenage girl from his school. Stephen Graham plays Jamie’s father, Eddie Miller, while Ashley Walters stars as Detective Inspector Luke Bascombe, and Erin Doherty portrays Briony Ariston, the clinical psychologist assigned to Jamie’s case.

What makes Adolescence unique is its real-time storytelling, as each of its four episodes is filmed in one continuous shot, creating an intense and immersive experience. The Netflix limited series is set to premiere on March 13, 2025.


Parents Guide for Adolescence

Age Rating: Adolescence is rated TV-MA, meaning it is intended for mature audiences only. The series contains strong language, disturbing themes, and intense psychological drama, making it unsuitable for younger viewers.

Violence and Crime Themes

  • The show revolves around a murder investigation, which may include disturbing details, crime scene discussions, and psychological trauma.
  • Scenes of interrogations, legal procedures, and police investigations may be emotionally intense.
  • Though not necessarily graphic, the themes of violence and death can be distressing.

Language

  • The series contains frequent strong language and explicit dialogue, consistent with its TV-MA rating.

Psychological Intensity

  • The show explores mental health struggles, trauma, and the emotional toll of a criminal investigation.
  • Characters deal with intense stress, grief, and moral dilemmas, which may be heavy for younger audiences.
  • The continuous-shot format heightens the sense of realism and tension, making the drama more immersive and emotionally impactful.

Mature Themes

  • The series delves into complex moral and ethical questions about crime, justice, and family loyalty.
  • Courtroom and police procedural elements may be difficult to process for younger viewers.
  • Themes of peer pressure, adolescent struggles, and psychological profiling are explored.

Is Adolescence Suitable for Kids?

Due to its TV-MA rating, Adolescence is not recommended for children or younger teens. The mature themes, psychological intensity, and crime-related subject matter make it best suited for adult audiences. Parental discretion is advised for older teens (17+) who may be interested in crime dramas.

Tips for Parents

  • If considering for older teens, preview the first episode to assess its intensity.
  • Be prepared for discussions about crime, justice, and the psychological impact of trauma.
  • Trigger warnings: Some themes may be distressing, especially for viewers sensitive to violence, crime, and emotional turmoil.
  • Consider using Netflix’s parental controls if younger family members have access to the platform.

Official Trailer


FAQs

Q: What is the age rating for Adolescence?
A: Adolescence is rated TV-MA on Netflix, meaning it is intended for mature audiences only, due to strong language, crime-related themes, and intense emotional content.

Q: Is there violence in Adolescence?
A: While graphic violence may not be shown, the series centers on a murder investigation, which involves disturbing themes and intense emotional scenes.

Q: Does Adolescence contain strong language?
A: Yes, explicit language and mature dialogue are present throughout the series.

Q: Is Adolescence appropriate for teenagers?
A: The TV-MA rating suggests it is not suitable for younger teens. However, older teens (17+) may watch at their parents’ discretion.

Q: What makes Adolescence unique?
A: The series is filmed in one continuous shot per episode, creating a real-time, immersive experience that heightens the tension and drama.

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