Adolescence makes British TV historical past by turning into the most-watched present of the week – beating two large BBC rivals

Adolescence has made British TV history, becoming the first streaming show ever to become the most-watched programme of the week.

The drama has captivated audiences and critics since it hit Netflix earlier this month, with each episode filmed in a single continuous take.

While the show is already being tipped for a string of BAFTA nominations, figures published by ratings body BARB have shown that the first episode was watched by 6.45 million people in its first week.

The number makes it the biggest audience for any streaming show in the UK in a single week, beating the 6.3 million who watched Fool Me Once on Netflix last year.

The four-episode programme follows the Miller family, whose lives are torn apart when their 13-year-old son Jamie is arrested for stabbing a female classmate to death after being influenced by online misogyny. 

The drama has gripped audiences with its sobering portrayal of how social media and misogynistic influencers can impact young boys. 

Adolescence has made British TV history, becoming the first streaming show ever to become the most-watched programme of the week

Adolescence’s second episode was watched by 5.94 million, coming in second in front of BBC’s The Apprentice and Death In Paradise, who were third and fourth.

The third episode was fifth in the ratings with 5.14 million, while the fourth and final episode was watched by 4.65 million.  

Stephen Graham whose previous starring roles have come in movies including This Is England and TV dramas Line Of Duty and Peaky Blinders, co-created and co-wrote Adolescence with award-winning playwright Jack Thorne.

The new drama’s success has also thrown the spotlight on teen sensation Owen Cooper, who is being tipped for awards glory for his chilling performance as Jamie.

Adolescence has also beaten supremely popular 2024 Harlan Coben series Fool Me Once, starring Michelle Keegan, which brought in around 20 million views in its opening seven days .

Indeed, only internet-breaking period drama Bridgerton has ever bagged more views and that was during series three when it had already established itself as a big brand, driven by a huge marketing campaign.

The remarkable new show has even been making waves on the day-to-day audience charts, recording an audience of one million on a single day last weekend.

According to the Super TV X account, the only other Netflix series to appear in such a report in the past was British spy thriller Black Doves, starring Keira Knightley and Ben Whishaw, but this drew in just 500,000 viewers in a 24-hour period.

Many fans have begged for a second season of Adolescence – but an insider has hinted that if a series two was secured, it might not focus on Jamie’s case.

A source told The Sun: ‘Execs are thrilled by the results and acclaim for Adolescence, it’s seen as a format that can run and run, at least to a second series if not further, as it could take in a different teen issue each series.

‘The topic has resonated with viewers because it taps into parents biggest fear and there’s plenty of scope for more in the same vein.

‘Stylistically, the one-take creative approach could become the hallmark of the series. It’s one of the aspects which has got everyone talking.’ 

Sir Keir Starmer also previously revealed at Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday that he was watching the mini-series with his two teenagers – and that he backs the show creators’ calls for it to be shown in parliament and schools.

Education secretary Bridget Phillipson has also faced pressure to overturn RSHE guidance drafted by the previous Conservative government –

which included bans on sex education for children under nine and discussions of gender identity