NETFLIX’S real-time drama Adolescence has left fans – including Jeremy Clarkson – stunned with its mind-blowing filming techniques, as the creators reveal how they pulled off “impossible” scenes.
Fans of the streaming giant have been left in bits over gritty new drama Adolescence, starring Ashley Walters and Stephen Graham.
The hard-hitting series has already racked up rave reviews, with viewers calling it an emotional rollercoaster.
And now, the show’s boss has lifted the lid on how they pulled off an “impossible” shot – leaving fans even more in awe.
The hit show centers around a father of a young boy accused of murder, and one single shot is used to tell the story in each of its four episodes.
The brains behind Adolescence have lifted the lid on the jaw-dropping camera trick that left viewers stunned.
Director Philip Barantini, known for his work on Boiling Point, pulled off a seamless one-shot transition in episode two – going from a school to a brutal crime scene in a single, fluid take.
However, fans were left amazed over an impressive but impossible drone shot, including Jeremy Clarkson.
Taking to X – formerly Twitter – Clarkson wrote: “Adolescence. The camera at the end of show 2. How on earth did they do that? It’s impossible. I’ve been in the business for 30 years and I cannot work it out.”
Another viewer penned: “i just finished adolescence on netflix and f***ing hell. everyone on that show needs an emmy, how could they manage to act out a storyline like that all in one continuous shot it’s insane. episodes 3 and 4 might be some of the best tv i’ve ever seen.”
Netflix has explained to Clarkson and other dazzled fans that they attached the camera to a drone mid-scene.
Writer Jack Thorne spilled the secrets behind the “impossible” shot, revealing: “We strapped a camera to a drone that took off over traffic lights and suddenly you’re at the murder scene.
“Emotionally, it kicks you in the stomach.”
Netflix even shared a behind-the-scenes look, showing the team passing the camera from a drone to grips on the ground – before smoothly landing on Stephen Graham in a gripping close-up.
They explained: “A team attach the camera to a drone, which then flies a distance of 0.3 miles across the site to the murder scene, where it comes down to a camera operator and team of grips who smoothly catch the camera and transition into a close shot of Stephen Graham.”
The high-stakes scene took two weeks of rehearsals to perfect, with cast, crew, and even extras playing police and teachers to make the ambitious shot work.
Director Philip Barantini added: “[Tech rehearsals] would be an opportunity for the sound team to put the booms where they needed to be.
“And, we had all the support and the runners and ADs all dressed in police uniforms in the first episode and teachers in the second episode so they could be on camera and cueing things.
“It was technically challenging, but a huge collaboration.”
Adolescence has already being watched by more than two million people in the UK alone.
Viewers have taken to social media to praise its raw and eye opening story and said it’s the “best thing” they have seen on Netflix in ages.
One tweeted: “adolescence on netflix is fucking brilliant. it really highlights the epidemic of femicide caused by men and boys consuming so much content by andr*w t*te and men like him. how much harm and brainwashing these men do to young boys. this series is so raw and so powerful.”
Another wrote: “i recommend anyone to watch #adolescence, it was truly a heartbreaking and eye opening series. every actor played their roles remarkably. the last scene killed me.”
A third added: “adolescence is the best thing I’ve seen in a long time absolutely sobbing over Stephen tucking the bear into bed :(“
All eight episodes of Adolescence are available to watch now on Netflix.
