Netflix Adolescence star issues statement on series finale as she applauds ‘life-saving’ drama amid soaring popularity
WARNING: This article contains spoilers from Adolescence on Netflix.
Adolescence star Jo Hartley has issued a glowing statement about the “impact” of the show as it continues to promotes intense debate.
The show achieved a near-perfect 98 percent on review aggregate Rotten Tomatoes but left some viewers still wanting with its conclusion.
Adolescence stars Stephen Graham as Eddie Miller, a man whose life becomes “an ordinary family’s worst nightmare” after his 13-year-old son Jamie (Owen Cooper) is accused of murdering a classmate.
The programme, billed by the streaming giant as a “why-dunnit” not “who-dunnit”, explores what could motivate Jamie to violently murder schoolgirl Katie (Emilia Holliday) after his arrest.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
Netflix Adolescence boss explains mind-bending filming as Jeremy Clarkson among baffled viewersNetflix Adolescence fans ‘work out’ real meaning behind cryptic photographs during opening creditsAndrew Tate fans flood Netflix Adolescence with backlash as they claim influencer is victim of ‘woke agenda’
Hartley starred as Mrs Fenumore, a teacher at Jamie’s school, who struggles to deal with the trauma of the situation while attempting to help DI Bascombe (Ashley Walters) and DS Frank’s (Faye Marsay) investigation.
Following the immense public reception, the 53-year-old actress addressed the impact of the series, ignoring the criticism the show has received from the likes of Andrew Tate’s fans.
She began: “I’ve been so overwhelmed by such powerful messages over the last few days. THANK YOU. Thank YOU!!!
“It’s been wonderful to see this show make such an impact on the world.”
Addressing the show’s impactful themes, she continued: “Adolescence asks questions… It presents us with a fatal situation caused by one unconscious act of violence – actions have consequences.
“Over the four ‘one shot’ episodes we see how it devastates not only a family, but a whole community. If Adolescence saves one life, it will have worked,” Hartley added.
While Adolescence wowed fans and critics alike with its fictional exploration of contemporary issues, some remained disappointed by the ending of the miniseries.
Adolescence’s emotional final episode takes place just over a year after Jamie’s arrest, as the family attempts to celebrate Eddie’s 50th birthday while awaiting the trial.
Jamie calls home to reveal he plans to plead guilty, with the series concluding with a heart-wrenching scene where Eddie returns to his son’s bedroom and breaks down.
Some felt the devastating finale had a story left to tell and took to social media to share their thoughts.
“Kinda disappointed by the ending of Adolescence, it feels like it’s missing so much of the story, I wish it was perhaps longer or that the ending would show his trial,” one viewer wrote on X.
Another lamented: “I binge-watched the whole series in one go because of Stephen Graham but now I feel a void has been left without knowing the outcome of the trial…”
Others were quick to suggest the ending was deliberately chosen to fit the themes of the show as outlined by Hartley.
“Those of you who say the ending was boring don’t get it. It wasn’t made for entertainment purposes, it was showing how children’s actions have an effect on the family,” one declared.
A second agreed, adding: “I personally think that was the perfect ending. There was no need to know what happened to Jamie as he it’s pretty obvious. It was more about the lasting effects on his family… I wanna know how they coped after the sentencing.” (sic)