Stephen Graham Teases Potential Season 2 of Adolescence on Netflix — Here’s What We Know So Far

So, Adolescence season 1 hit Netflix like a freight train, and now everyone keeps asking: is season 2 happening or not? Let me walk you through everything we know (or don’t know), because this show’s future is kind of a puzzle—one that even its creators haven’t fully solved yet.

What Actually Happened in Season 1?

If you somehow missed the hype, Adolescence is a series about a young boy (Owen Cooper) who gets accused of murdering a female classmate—which is about as heavy as it sounds. Stephen Graham, who also co-created the show along with Jack Thorne, plays the kid’s father. It’s got that whole ‘family in crisis’ vibe but ramps it up with social commentary about how messed up the online ‘manosphere’ culture is right now. Not exactly feel-good TV, but it’s sharp and it makes its point.

The Awards Machine

If you want proof that this show is more than just Netflix algorithm fodder, look at its awards shelf. Adolescence was the big winner at the Golden Globes, picking up four wins: Best Limited Series, plus acting awards for Graham, Cooper, and Erin Doherty. Basically, everybody involved walked home with a trophy.

Netflix Numbers: Kind of Ridiculous

Now, for the stat-heads out there: this thing racked up 142.6 million views. That makes it Netflix’s second most-watched English-language show ever. You don’t get numbers that big without having the execs at Netflix at least thinking about a follow-up.

So… Season 2? Here’s Where It Gets Fuzzy

Here’s where the story gets kind of weird. Since the series cleaned up at the Globes, people have been pushing for news about season 2. Stephen Graham, caught on the carpet by reporters, gave an answer that couldn’t be more non-committal:

'I cannot answer that question because it’s somewhere in the deep recesses of my mind and Jack’s mind, and we’ll pull it out in three or four years, so stay tuned.'

Translation: No solid plan right now, but they haven’t ruled anything out. Maybe check back in a few years?

Is There Even Room for a Sequel?

Back in April 2025 (yeah, this rumor mill is officially over a year deep already), Dede Gardner—who runs Plan B Entertainment, the company behind the series—said they’re toying with the idea of a second season, but only if it stays true to the show’s DNA and doesn’t just rehash the same story. So, basically, they want something fresh or it’s not happening.

Hit With the Critics (And Some Boldface Fans)

• Critical acclaim is through the roof; pretty much everyone, from mainstream outlets to obsessive TV nerds, gave it high marks.
• For bonus pop culture points: Hideo Kojima—yes, that Kojima—called it 'a masterful fusion of meticulously calculated one-shot cinematography and direction... It vividly exposes the fear and anguish experienced by both children in their formative years and the families who watch over them.'

The Bottom Line

Right now, the only thing definitive is that the first season is still streaming on Netflix. The creators haven’t shut the door on a second season, but they’re in zero hurry and won’t do it without a good reason. If you’re craving more, you may have to wait while Graham and Thorne rummage around in those 'deep recesses' of theirs. Or just rewatch season 1—it’s not like it didn’t leave an impression.

Want something else to binge? I put together a list of the best Netflix shows that you can stream right now. Until Adolescence comes back, you’ll need a backup plan.