‘Adolescence’ is Netflix’s 3rd Most Watched Show Ever – and We Had a Front Row Seat.

When Adolescence dropped on Netflix, it immediately gained the recognition of being a unique show, the kind of show that doesn’t stick around without gaining a reaction. With gritty, vulnerable, beautifully shot, and unapologetically raw scenes, it struck a chord with people instantly. But none of us could’ve predicted the success of how far it would go.
Now, just a few weeks after its release, Adolescence has officially become the third most-watched Netflix series of all time, globally, hitting over 130million views.

That’s a huge achievement. But what makes it truly personal for us at IPM is:  that some of the breakout stars in this global phenomenon were handpicked from our very own acting academy and Adolescence was their first time ever stepping onto a professional set outside our academy.

A Series That Hit a Nerve
From the opening episode, Adolescence makes it clear this isn’t your typical coming-of-age story.
Set against the backdrop of a working-class family living in Yorkshire, the show tackles everything from identity and friendship to mental health, survival, and belonging. It doesn’t sugarcoat the taboo subjects, but it doesn’t fall into cliché. By letting the audience follow along in a one-shot filming style, the creators built a strong nuance and immersive experience in the storytelling, that brings sharp honesty that feels lived-in, not written. This is the leading factor as to why it connected with so many people. It didn’t talk about young people it let them speak for themselves.
Jack Thorne (co-writer of Adolescence) explained the reason they decided on filming in a one-shot was because it “forces you to be partial" in the context of a child on trial for murder.  
The success of the show is undeniable. We’re talking hundreds of millions of hours watched across multiple countries, viral TikTok edits, cast interviews going global, and group chats blowing up with “Have you seen Adolescence yet?” It’s not just a TV series anymore it’s a cultural moment.
But behind the numbers and media buzz are the people who brought these characters to life. And some of them took their very first steps into the industry thanks to our academy.

From the Academy to the World
IPM don't just focus on workshops and theory but we deliver real access to the film and TV industry. We’re focused on finding raw potential and giving it the tools to shine. So, when casting for Adolescence began, we already knew we had some incredible talent ready to go.
We worked closely with the show’s casting directors and creators to put forward a shortlist of young people we believed in, not because they had perfect CVs or glossy headshots, but because they had something real. An undeniable spark.

And the next thing we knew, they got the call.

For some, it was the first time walking onto a professional set. The first time learning lines in a trailer. The first time seeing their face on a Netflix thumbnail. And nothing could’ve prepared us for the maturity and professionalism they showed whilst bringing their all to the roles. 
Watching them step into these roles that were deeply complex, layered, and emotionally demanding, was one of the proudest moments we’ve ever had as an academy. With authenticity, vulnerability, and presence far beyond their years we realised there’s something incredibly moving about seeing someone go from an open call in a community hall to millions of screens across the globe.

The Power of Firsts
Firsts are powerful.
Your first time in front of the camera. Your first read-through. Your first director’s note. Your first "action." Your first premiere. These are moments that shape a person, not just as an actor, but as a human being.
We talk a lot about access in this industry, but Adolescence gave it. Not just to our students, but to the stories and voices they represent. Taking time to highlight central characters, emotional arcs, dialogue, and Screen time that mattered. Leading audiences to authentically empathise, care, and relate to these characters, because their performances were grounded in truth.
When the industry says, "We’re looking for something fresh," this is what we hope they mean: genuinely fresh faces who haven’t been filtered through the same casting cycle over and over. New perspectives. Real-life energy. Talent that hasn’t been taught to hide their uniqueness.
Adolescence didn’t just showcase young people. It trusted them. And that trust paid off.

What This Means for the Industry
Let’s talk about the ripple effect.
When a show like this blows up and it does so with new talent leading the charge, it sends a message of inspiration. It challenges the idea that you need years of credits to carry a story. It proves that authenticity matters just as much (if not more) than polish. And it shows young people watching from home that they can do this too.
We’ve already had more interest in our academy since the show aired. Young people are seeing their peers on screen and thinking, “Wait, maybe this isn’t just for other people. Maybe this is for me.”
That shift in mindset? That’s how change starts.
It’s also worth saying that the success of Adolescence is a win for casting directors across the globe who take risks, writers who don’t water down their scripts, directors who trust young actors, and production companies who open the door instead of gatekeeping it.
This isn’t just a good story. It’s a blueprint.

Where We Go From Here
We’re not interested in one-offs. Yes, we’re proud beyond words of the students who made their debuts on Adolescence. But we’re just as focused on what comes next. That means making sure this isn’t the end of the road it’s the start of a career. We’re already supporting them with our agents, new projects, training, and mentorship. And we’ll keep doing it for the next wave of success and the one after that.
The dream is to build a sustainable pipeline of talent that doesn’t rely on luck or connections but on skill, drive, and support. And shows like Adolescence prove that the demand is there people want real stories, and they want new voices to tell them.

A Final Word
There’s a moment in Adolescence, no spoilers, don’t worry! Where a character looks into the camera, just for a second. It’s not staged or stylised. It’s like they’re looking straight through the screen. And in that one tiny moment, everything feels personal to the audience.
That’s what this whole journey has felt like for us.
Personal.

When Adolescence dropped on Netflix, it immediately gained the recognition of being a unique show, the kind of show that doesn’t stick around without gaining a reaction. With gritty, vulnerable, beautifully shot, and unapologetically raw scenes, it struck a chord with people instantly. But none of us could’ve predicted the success of how far it would go.
Now, just a few weeks after its release, Adolescence has officially become the third most-watched Netflix series of all time.
That’s a huge achievement. But what makes it truly personal for us at IPM is:  that some of the breakout stars in this global phenomenon were handpicked from our very own talent academy and Adolescence was their first time ever stepping onto a professional set.
It’s hard to put into words how proud we are. But we’ll give it a try.

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Author

Abbygail Morrison, Mia Long & Katie Baker