Despite the immense success of the first season, it was initially announced that there might not be an Adolescence season 2, as the story was wrapped up. However, Brad Pitt's production company, Plan B Entertainment, is now in talks about the possibility of bringing back the critically acclaimed show, which has become one of Netflix's most-watched titles since its release in March.
With award-worthy performances from Stephen Graham (who also co-created the show), Ashley Walters, Erin Doherty, and Owen Cooper, among others, the four-part limited series - which is loosely inspired by true stories- followed the gripping story of 13-year-old Jamie Miller, who was arrested on suspicion of murdering his classmate Katie, which turned the lives of his family upside down.
Is Adolescence season 2 in the works?
The show's co-writer and creator Jack Thorne sat on the This Morning sofa and ruled out a series about Katie (the victim's) story and more episodes about Jamie, saying: "In terms of a second series [of Adolescence] think Jamie' story is finished. I don't think there's anywhere more we can take Jamie."
However, he did tell the This Morning presenters that they'd "love to explore the one-shot format in another way - we'd love to tell other stories with it - but I don't think a series 2 of Adolescence is quite right for us".
However, a few weeks later, Stephen Graham and his wife Hannah Walters (a co-producer of the show and the actor who played Mrs Bruntwood in the series) spoke to Variety about the show's potential return.
Stephen said, “Possibly, let’s see how the figures are", 'with a smirk', as the show had already become a number-one hit in over 80 countries. "But yeah, there’s the possibility of developing another story.”
Hannah, on the other hand, hesitated that “it’s hard” to go again after a show has been so hugely impactful and regarded.
"A prequel to Adolescence, that’s certainly not going to happen. But there’s so much mileage in the one-shot and so much mileage in investing into human nature again and looking at something else."
Fast-forward to April 2025 and Plan B Entertainment co-presidents Dede Gardner and Jeremy Kleiner have told Deadline that they've started a conversation with Adolescence director Phillip Barantini about possible avenues for the show's "next iteration". However, they have not yet expanded on what these may look like.
They hope to continue to work with co-creators Jack Thorne and Stephen Graham on the project, with Dede wanting to “widen the aperture, stay true to its DNA [and] not be repetitive”.
So, it seems like Adolescence season 2 may be happening after all, although perhaps as an anthology series, exploring other important stories that need to be shared.
Arabella Horspool is a Commercial Content Writer for Yours at Bauer Media. She's a bookworm who is passionate about TV, film and theatre. She enjoys cooking, scrapbooking, playing board games and going on walks with her three dogs.