Netflix hit Adolescence sparks 'false claims' on social media, says creator (2025)

The drama co-written and created by Jack Thorne and Stephen Graham has topped the most-watched programmes

Jack Thorne, co-creator of the hit Netflix series Adolescence, has spoken out about false claims being circulated about him on social media following the show's success. The four-part crime drama, which he co-wrote and created with This Is England star Stephen Graham, centres around a boy accused of killing his female classmate.

The series, featuring newcomer Owen Cooper as 13 year old Jamie Miller, has topped the most-watched list on the streaming platform worldwide and sparked discussions in Parliament. The limited series, with Graham portraying Jamie's father, delves into the so-called incel culture blamed for online misogyny and explores the role of social media in bullying.

Speaking to BBC Two's Newsnight about the public reaction, Thorne said: "It's very interesting.

"I've been on the television a little bit, and what's been happening in the last few days is my picture is being circulated with questions (made about) my masculinity, questions as to whether I've got too much oestrogen (a group of female sex hormones) in my system, questions whether I'm a man or not.

"Weird things like people saying I'm Jewish, when I'm not, it's been very odd, and it's given me a taste of something that's very strange.

"I'm very comfortable with how I look, I don't mind it, but it's been scientifically very interesting."

Thorne has advocated for the show to be shown in Parliament and schools, and during Wednesday's Prime Minister's Questions, Sir Keir Starmer indicated that it should.

The Prime Minister shared that he had watched the programme with his children, stating: "This violence carried out by young men, influenced by what they see online, is a real problem, it's abhorrent, and we have to tackle it".

Thorne expressed his hope that "we can use this moment to provoke this Government to consider quite serious change".

He pointed out that the Australian Senate has already approved a social media ban for young children.

"I would extend it further, it is about gaming too, and it's about getting inside all these different systems," Thorne said.

He admitted that there was "good" about social media and gaming, but stressed the Government should legislate to protect teenagers and see "what change that could bring to our society".

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Australia is on the brink of holding platforms like TikTok, Facebook, Snapchat, Reddit, X, and Instagram accountable with fines up to 50 million Australian dollars (£25 million) if they consistently fail to prevent under-16s from creating accounts.

Thorne also mentioned that the issue extends beyond the controversial influencer Andrew Tate, which is part of the reason why the series has "struck a chord" globally.

After the show, Sir Gareth Southgate gave the Richard Dimbleby Lecture at the University of London, where he spoke about "manipulative and toxic influencers" who mislead young men into believing women are against them.

The ex-England manager said many young men are left "searching for direction", often turning to a "new kind of role model who do not have their best interest at heart".