The series currently dominating Netflix is Adolescence, a harrowing crime drama which unearths the story behind a 13-year-old Jamie Miller, who is accused of stabbing his female classmate, Katie, to death. Despite the series being on our screens for only a week, it has already been heralded as one of the best British TV dramas in decades by critics, and it’s with good reason.
From the show’s stellar ensemble, to its continuous takes, to its poignant themes of rising toxic masculinity in young boys and men, Adolescence has all of the ingredients for a standout TV drama.
With exceptional performances Stephen Graham, Ashley Walters, Owen Cooper, Erin Doherty, Faye Marsay and more, the cast is filled with equal parts TV legends and fresh faces that seamlessly blend together. If you’re wondering where you’ve seen the cast before, or want to know more about some new faces, we detail all that there is to know below.
Gareth Cattermole//NetflixStephen Graham as Eddie Miller
Stephen Graham stars as Eddie Miller, the father of 13-year-old Jamie Miller, who is accused of murdering a teenage girl in his class.
Throughout the series, Eddie stands by his son throughout the investigation, and struggles to deal with the entire ordeal, both at the police station and in his home life.
The actor, who is also a co-creator of the show, spoke about the creation of Adolescence, saying: “We wanted you to look at this family and think, ‘My God. This could be happening to us!’ And what’s happening here is an ordinary family’s worst nightmare.”
Graham first rose to prominence with early roles in Snatch (2000) and Gangs of New York (2002), before landing his breakthrough role in This Is England (2006). Since then, Graham has steadily appeared in a number of hit TV shows and films including Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (2011), Little Boy Blue, Line of Duty (2019), The Irishman (2019), Boardwalk Empire (2010–2014), Time (2021), Peaky Blinders (2022).
Most recently, Graham starred in the historical drama A Thousand Blows, Bodies (2025), and is set to feature in the upcoming films Deliver Me From Nowhere and The Immortal Man.
Jeff Spicer//NetflixAshley Walters as DI Luke Bascombe
Ashley Walters plays Detective Inspector (DI) Luke Bascombe, the lead detective on the murder investigation. Bascombe has a son who attends the same school as Jamie and gives his dad a lead on uncovering Jamie’s motive for murder.
Prior to Walter’s acting career, he was part of So Solid Crew, who are best known for their U.K. hit “21 Seconds.”
His foray into acting began when he appeared in Storm Damage (2000), Bullet Boy (2004), Get Rich or Die Tryin’ (2005), and Life and Lyrics (2006). However, he gained countrywide acclaim for his role as Dushane in Top Boy (2011-23).
Most recently, Walters has starred in Bulletproof (2018-21), A Thousand Blows (2025), and Missing You (2025)
Kate Green//NetflixErin Doherty as Briony Ariston
Erin Doherty stars as Briony Ariston, the clinical psychologist assigned to Jamie’s case. Ariston only appears in episode 3, when she conducts an interview to Jamie to prepare a pre trial report on his mental health.
The actor delved into her role on the show during a recent interview, saying, “Briony isn’t a bad person. She’s not trying to get anything out of Jamie. She cares for him.
“Briony is genuinely asking him these questions, praying there is some twist of fate where she could say that this kid is innocent when all the evidence points at one thing.”
Doherty is best known for portraying young Princess Anne in The Crown (2019-20). She has also starred in Chloe (2022), Firebrand (2023), Reawakening (2024) and A Thousand Blows (2025).
Jeff Spicer//NetflixOwen Cooper as Jamie Miller
Owen Cooper plays 13-year-old Jamie Miller, the primary suspect for the murder of his classmate, Katie. Throughout the series much of Owen’s character seems innocent and unknowing, however, the depth to his character comes to light in episode 3 during his interview with child psychologist Briony Ariston. In that meeting, we learn that Jamie was the victim of bullying by several members of his class, and Katie.
While Adolescence gave Cooper his first acting role, it’s safe to say we’ll be seeing more of the young star who stole the show with his powerful performance.
Jeff Spicer//NetflixFaye Marsay (DS Misha Frank)
Faye Marsay stars as Detective Sargeant (DS) Misha Frank, a detective working opposite DI Luke Bascombe on the murder investigation.
Much like her other co-stars, Marsay has appeared in a number of successful British TV shows and films such as The White Queen (2013), Fresh Meat (2013), Pride (2014), Need for Speed (2015), and perhaps most notably as The Waif in the fifth and sixth seasons of Game of Thrones (2015–2016), and in the Black Mirror episode “Hated in the Nation” (2016).
Jeff Spicer//NetflixChristine Tremarco as Manda Miller
Christine Tremarco plays Manda Miller, the wife of Eddie and is the mother of Jamie and Lisa. Much like her husband, Manda struggles to deal with the ongoing murder investigation, and is often seen comforting her surrounding family members.
Prior to playing Manda in Adoelscence, Tremarco has previously appeared in Under the Skin, Face (both 1997), Anita and Me (2002), Waterloo Road (2007–2009), Casualty (2010–2013), Little Boy Blue (2017), Clink (2019), and Wolfe (2021).
Taylor Hill//NetflixMark Stanley as Paul Barlow
Mark Stanley portrays Paul Barlow, Jamie’s solicitor throughout the investigation.
Stanley is best known for playing Grenn in Game of Thrones (2011-14). Since then, he’s starred in the likes of Euphoria (2017), Dark River (2017), Sanditon (2019), Anne Boleyn (2021), and Trigger Point (2022-24).
Jeff Spicer//NetflixJo Hartley as Mrs. Fenumore
Jo Hartley plays Mrs. Fenumore, a teacher at the local school that Jamie, Katie, and several of the children attend. In episode 2, she guides DI Luke Bascombe and DS Misha Frank around the school as they interview a number of the children who were either involved or affected by Katie’s death.
Jo Hartley has previously starred in This Is England (2006), The Young Victoria (2009), Torvill & Dean (2018), Sweetheart (2021), and Bank of Dave (2023).
