Just before the premiere of “Adolescence” on Netflix, Stephen Graham confided in Hannah Walters, his wife, producing partner, and frequent screen companion, saying, “Oh dear, my love, I’m unemployed!
She was quick to console him.
“I think you’re gonna be alright — but don’t worry, have a bit of time off.”
each episode was filmed in a single continuous take. This wasn’t your typical crime series.
The series “Adolescence” quickly became the hot topic of discussion this year, resembling a global water cooler moment unprecedented in previous times. It was praised for its compelling contemporary narrative that left viewers emotionally drained and the technical brilliance of its meticulously arranged production. As a result, it appears that Graham, who has been summoned to New York to converse about the show with Jimmy Fallon, has no need to worry about taking time off or finding work.
Walters expresses that the response has been “overwhelming,” speaking to EbMaster from their shared home office, which is the main hub for Matriarch Productions (the company behind “Adolescence”). Every now and then, their two white labradoodles, Bonnie and Clyde, pop their heads in.
A person emailed us stating that they have been involved in business for 38 years and never encountered anything as impactful as this. We’re currently ranked number one in 80 countries, including Saudi Arabia, India, and Australia – it’s astounding! Frankly, I didn’t expect the topic to strike a chord with the global audience, but it truly has.
The stats clearly show that “Adolescence” has been a tremendous success. In the U.K., this streaming show broke records by being the first to lead weekly ratings. On a global scale, it started with an astounding 24.3 million views in its initial four days, and after two weeks, it reached a staggering 66.3 million – setting a new Netflix record for a limited series.
During his visit to New York, Graham encountered an affluent elderly couple – “refined, reminiscent of 5th Avenue wealth, with her wearing a cashmere top” – and the woman broke into tears upon recognizing him, expressing her desire for a hug. The man commented that it was a profound piece, crucial for today, while firmly offering a handshake to Graham. Shortly afterward, he crossed paths with a young Mexican man who was emptying trash containers behind his hotel. Excitedly, he shared that he had been following Graham’s TV show and found it impressive.
He expresses that perhaps his point was not clear, but what he meant is that we didn’t anticipate the extent to which this issue would affect society as it has. However, it appears that it transcends racial and social barriers, delivering a message related to our young people regardless of status or background.
Apart from its exceptional performance, the book “Adolescence” is leaving an even greater and more significant impression, with Graham remarking that it surpasses what they could have ever anticipated.
As a cinema enthusiast, I’m always thrilled when shows like this one resonate with the audience. Walters mentioned she’s been inundated with heartwarming messages on social media regarding our show. However, it’s not just parents expressing concern about the perils of incel culture and male aggression; many young viewers have also reached out to her. They’ve thanked her for creating a platform that has enabled them to discuss this important topic with their parents – something they found challenging before.
Previously, there have been requests for the concept of “Adolescence” to be incorporated into school curriculums. Walters, among others, has advocated for this and stirred up some discussions, even causing a bit of a stir. It’s worth noting that Netflix is also working on this project.
Surely, beyond possibly sparking societal shifts, when a series garners even a fraction of the acclaim as “Adolescence,” discussions soon shift towards replicating that success with a follow-up. Initially conceived as a standalone production, there’s a slim chance Netflix hasn’t already reached out about a potential sequel. Both Graham and Walters vaguely hint at this possibility, but they emphasize that nothing has been officially confirmed yet.
Graham suggests we take a look at the numbers, which seem quite extraordinary,” he remarks with a hint of amusement. “However, it’s conceivable that we could craft another tale based on these findings.
Walters expresses her enthusiasm for potential future collaborations with Netflix, stating that she’d be more than willing to do so “around the clock,” but admits finding a project to match the immense success of their previous work is challenging.
As for a potential prequel to Adolescence, it’s highly unlikely, but there’s certainly potential in exploring the one-shot and delving deeper into human nature once more. Things are going well right now, everyone seems content… if I may say so.
Besides mentioning that Matriarch is currently in development with Warp Films from the U.K., as they were involved in “Adolescence”, Walters also notes there hasn’t been any discussion about establishing a more structured collaboration with Netflix yet. This could potentially be a logical subsequent step, given Netflix’s previous acquisition of Richard Gadd, the creator of “Baby Reindeer”, under a first-look deal shortly after his show was broadcasted.
She states that whenever they wish to discuss that topic, her door is always open. However, it’s likely to unfold naturally as time goes by; we’ll just have to wait and see.
Graham points out, “She’s involved in many projects, some small and trivial, others large and absurd!
Over the past couple of years, Matriarch has been making a significant impact in the entertainment industry. This surge in popularity can be traced back to just after Graham and Walters established the company in 2020, even before the pandemic hit. Since then, they’ve created a BAFTA-nominated film titled “Boiling Point,” which was also filmed in one take and directed by Barantini. They followed this up with a spin-off series of “Boiling Point” for the BBC, and a critically praised Disney+ release called “A Thousand Blows,” which delves into boxing during Victorian London. Their latest project is titled “Adolescence.
“It’s not bad for a couple of years,” says Walters.
For our audience, the second season of “A Thousand Blows” is now complete, having been filmed concurrently with the first. The details of Matriarch’s upcoming projects remain confidential, but they promise a blend of grand-scale entertainment in blockbuster series and heartwarming human interest stories. Additionally, some independent films are being crafted, and books have been acquired for adaptation.
Although Walters found swift acclaim in her role behind the camera, she admitted to experiencing feelings of self-doubt, commonly known as “impostor syndrome,” about assuming the producer’s position. Interestingly, Graham, a highly respected U.K. actor, has also shared his battles with this same sense of inadequacy.
Though Walters quickly gained recognition as a producer, she confessed to struggling with “impostor syndrome,” a feeling of inadequacy often experienced by those who are new to such roles. Similarly, Graham, an esteemed U.K. actor, has openly talked about his own encounters with this same issue.
She admitted that initially she had doubts about her readiness to perform the task, fearing she might not be skilled enough for it. However, she has since discovered the ability to soar, and surprisingly, she’s quite adept at it!
Behind the scenes at Matriarch, Walters serves as the primary mover and shaper of the slate, often engaging in numerous meetings that consume more than 12 hours a day from their office (Graham points out this dedication). In such circumstances, her husband is content to be consulted when she needs him to review something or even serve as a high-profile “bargaining chip” to gain network approval for selecting the rest of their cast members.
Walters playfully points out that it seems like Graham is always occupied whenever he has important appointments,” to which Graham quips back: “You’re the mastermind, why would anyone need an assistant when they have a leader like you?
From its inception, Matriarch prioritized amplifying underrepresented voices, a commitment they are proud to say they’ve successfully upheld. According to Walters, training programs were introduced across various departments within their productions, leveraging resources from U.K. skills organizations like ScreenSkills and Fully Focused. These organizations, as Walters explains, primarily work with young people and individuals who might otherwise struggle to break into the industry.
For the project titled “Adolescence,” they welcomed a neighborhood community organization to participate and gain insights into the manufacturing process. This engagement provided practical work experience to various individuals from the general public.
We’re not limiting our discussion to the youth; it also includes middle-aged individuals who harbor a long-held ambition to venture into business, yet lack knowledge on how to do so.
In addition, Graham mentions that on several instances, they’ve covered rental expenses for some of their young team members. This was done so they could seize the opportunity, which in turn allowed them to save money from this job. When moving on to the next project, they would already have their rent paid, thanks to this savings.
According to Walters, the goal is for their operation to serve as a model, promoting “diversity, inclusivity, and opportunities” so that other producers can not only discuss these ideals, but also genuinely practice them in action.
There’s plenty of affection between Walters and Graham, who enthusiastically compliment each other when discussing their work. In particular, Walters acknowledges that while Graham tends to avoid development meetings, once on set, he truly excels as a producer – Walters even suggests that one day, Graham should consider directing.
Or, in a more conversational tone:
Walters and Graham really get along well, often praising each other’s work. For instance, Walters mentions that although Graham usually avoids development meetings, he truly shines when it comes to producing on set – Walters even thinks Graham should try directing someday!
There’s also a lot of love for the team of creatives they’ve amassed around them.
With their regular partners Thorne (known for producing popular TV series featuring Graham) and Barantini, they also have Matthew Lewis, the cinematographer (who they brought on from “Boiling Point” to “A Thousand Blows” to “Adolescence”), series producer Jo Johnson (“A Thousand Blows,” “Adolescence,” and according to Graham, “[Jo] and Hannah were the ones who kept [‘Adolescence’] together”), and assistant director Sarah Lucas (whom Walters praises highly: “[Sarah] is fantastic,” he says).
However, it’s crucial to acknowledge the significance of each person contributing to the intricate choreography involved in a series like “Adolescence”. They take great care to emphasize this point.
Graham remarks that everyone is similar to a puzzle piece, whether it’s the individual in facilities, the drivers, the Heads of Departments, or any person within that department,” says he.
Additionally, we have the on-screen personnel who are part of this production. This group includes Erin Doherty, who played the psychologist in the critically acclaimed third episode of “Adolescence.” Her role was proposed to her while she was working with Graham as one of the leads for Matriarch’s “A Thousand Blows,” alongside Malachi Kirby. In contrast, Ashley Walters directed multiple episodes of “A Thousand Blows” (marking his directorial debut), and later joined the cast of “Adolescence” as the detective leading the murder investigation in the initial two episodes. Walters is now preparing to shoot his first feature film as a director, featuring none other than Graham. It appears that the Walters-Graham family connection extends beyond their actual children and labradoodles.
According to Graham, if someone is exceptionally talented, it’s as if they are part of a team, and we will give them another chance to progress further.
It’s essential to talk about Owen Cooper when discussing the cast of “Adolescence.” Cooper portrayed the main character, a teenage boy, in the series, which was his debut acting role. Interestingly, he hadn’t collaborated with Walters or Graham before, as this was his first acting gig. However, it’s worth noting that Graham praises Drama Mob, a top-notch drama school in Manchester, for training their talented young star. Already, Cooper’s captivating performance has earned him a role in Emerald Fennel’s “Wuthering Heights.
In the film “Adolescence,” there was a role that needed persuasion to be accepted – it was actress Walters herself. Despite having acted in all of Matriarch’s previous productions, including playing the maternal sous chef in “Boiling Point” and one of the Forty Elephants’ gang members in “A Thousand Blows,” as well as many other projects alongside her husband, she had chosen not to participate in “Adolescence.
But Thorne had other ideas, writing her a small role as a teacher in episode two.
“So we had to persuade her and bully her — and basically forced her to be in it,” says Graham.
As Walters notes: “I even lost another job!”
Given the impact of “Adolescence,” she’s probably gonna be alright.
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2025-03-27 18:21