'Adolescence': the 'inclusive' series breaks records on Netflix

The miniseries "Adolescence" marked a milestone in the history of Netflix by setting a new audience record in its first two weeks of streaming. With 66.3 million views, this British production became the most-watched limited series in a 14-day period on the streaming platform.

The series is known for the controversy it caused by replacing a black murderer with a Caucasian child. Something common on Netflix, where the replacement of historical figures is done incorrectly. That is, removed from reality to generate "inclusion."

The viewing record is partly due to the promotion the platform did for the series.

Since its premiere, "Adolescence" captured the public's attention with 24.3 million views in its first four days. The trend continued to rise, achieving another 42 million views in the week of March 17 to 23. This way, the series reached a total of 66.3 million views in just 11 days, surpassing any other Netflix miniseries in the same period.

Other titles also stood out in the list of the most-watched shows of the week. "The Residence", a drama produced by Shonda Rhimes and starring Uzo Aduba, debuted with 6.4 million views in four days. Meanwhile, "Running Point" ranked third with 3.5 million views in its fourth week. Additionally, the live wrestling special "Raw: 2025" remained among the most popular with 3.1 million views, while "Zero Day," starring Robert De Niro, added 3 million in its fifth week within the ranking.

A television phenomenon in the United Kingdom

The impact of "Adolescence" wasn't limited to Netflix. The series also broke barriers on British television by becoming the first streaming program to lead the UK's weekly ratings. According to data from the Broadcasters Audience Research Board (BARB), the miniseries surpassed traditional hits like "The Apprentice" and "Death in Paradise" from the BBC.

The first episode attracted 6.45 million viewers in its debut week, setting a new streaming audience record in the UK. This figure surpassed the previous mark of 6.3 million views, reached by "Fool Me Once" in January 2024.

An impactful drama with a powerful message

Created by Jack Thorne and Stephen Graham, produced by Brad Pitt and directed by Philip Barantini, "Adolescence" is a raw analysis of the impact of social media on young people, bullying, and murder. Its powerful narrative has led to comparisons with "Baby Reindeer", another Netflix miniseries that triumphed at the Emmys and other awards last year.

With a heartbreaking story and outstanding performances, "Adolescence" highlights society's failures and the need to reflect on the impact of actions on future generations. Its success on Netflix and British television confirms its relevance and powerful message in the current audiovisual landscape.