Stephen Graham sparks fierce debate as he shares Adolescense season 2 plans amid lead character controversy

Speaking after winning the Golden Globe for Best Male Actor in a Limited Series, Mr Graham told Deadline the idea of revisiting the project was “somewhere in the deep recesses” of his and co-creator Jack Thorne’s minds.

“We’ll pull it out in three or four years,” he said. “So stay tuned.”

The comments immediately reignited debate around the hard-hitting series, which centres on a fictional teenage boy arrested for the murder of a female classmate after becoming radicalised online.

While the drama has been praised by critics and award bodies, it has also drawn sharp criticism from some viewers and commentators, who argue the show reinforces a narrow and politically charged narrative around radicalisation.

That backlash intensified this week after news of the second series circulated on social media platform X, prompting one user to ask whether a future series would depict the young male lead being “radicalised in prison and converting to Islam”.

The post triggered a flurry of sarcastic and critical responses.

“There aren’t many certainties in life, but that certainly isn’t going to happen,” one user replied.

Another wrote: “No, it’ll show him being radicalised at Wembley Stadium and supporting the national football team.”

Others accused the show of leaning into cultural stereotypes, with one comment suggesting the character would instead “transition, get a nose ring, dye his hair blue and save the world”.

Several users said they would avoid the programme altogether, with one bluntly stating: “I’ll give it a miss thanks.”

Will it show the young lad getting radicalised in prison and converting to Islam? pic.twitter.com/d0Foo56b7Z

— MrHobbes (@VintageMrHobbes) January 14, 2026

The reaction reflects a broader unease among audiences about what critics see as Netflix’s repeated focus on the “villainy” of young white men, a concern previously explored by broadcaster Colin Brazier in a GB News opinion piece questioning the streaming giant’s creative priorities.

Mr Brazier argued that while Adolescence may be well acted, it blurs the line between fiction and social commentary, particularly when senior political figures appear to treat the drama as representative of real-world trends.

That concern grew after Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer referenced the show during Prime Minister’s Questions, at one point describing it as a “documentary” and suggesting it could be shown in schools.

Critics argue that such endorsements risk elevating fictional narratives into policy-shaping tools, despite a lack of supporting evidence.

Mr Graham has previously suggested that if Adolescence does return, it may not focus on the same family, instead becoming an anthology series exploring different stories.

“It still is a possibility,” he told Variety. “If we were to go again, I’d want it to be a completely different story.”

The first series followed the fictional Miller family as they grappled with the aftermath of their teenage son’s arrest, with Mr Graham’s performance earning widespread acclaim.

The show also proved a major awards success, with co-stars Owen Cooper and Erin Doherty winning supporting acting honours at the Golden Globes, while the series took home Best Limited or Anthology Series.

During his acceptance speech, Mr Graham paid tribute to his wife, Hannah Walters, crediting her with saving his life and dedicating the award to his family.

The drama is poised for further awards glory at this year's Sag Awards and Bafta TV Awards in the coming months.