10 shows to watch if you were gripped by Adolescence

Adolescence has made a splash across screens since it launched last week - unsurprising for a gripping crime show with an insane cast. Plus, it’s all filmed in a single continuous shot, so every episode unfolds in real-time, leaving viewers completely immersed in the intense unfolding of the truth.

With Steven Graham co-writing with Jack Thorne - the guy behind hits including Toxic Town, Enola Holmes, and His Dark Materials TV adaptation in 2019 its strong cast is only matched by the superb writing which will leave your head spinning.

A quick recap on the plot for anyone else who binge-watched it in two days and has subsequently forgotten the detail: in an English town, police break down the door of a family home and arrest Jamie Miller, a 13-year-old boy, on suspicion of the murder of a classmate, Katie Leonard. Jamie is held at a police station for questioning, and then remanded in custody at a Secure Training Centre. Investigations at Jamie's school, and questioning by a forensic psychologist, reveal that Jamie has been deeply disturbed by school bullying via social media.

Adolescence isn’t based on an individual real-life case, but Stephen Graham revealed that the series was inspired by the growing knife-crime epidemic in the U.K. So if you’re after another mini-series to fill the gap, here are our top ten picks:

1. Toxic Town

Released at a similar time to Adolescence, Toxic Town has also received equal critical renown. Starring Jodie Whittaker, Claudia Jesse, and Amiee Lou Wood, it follows the true story of the Corby toxic waste case from 2009. Described as a British Erin Brockovich, it follows three mothers whose babies have all been born with birth defects as they embark on a journey for the truth.

If you’re after a real-life tense legal drama, this has to be on your list.

You can watch Toxic Town on Netflix.

2. Broadchurch

If you haven’t watched Broadchurch, where have you been? Although it’s well known and the first series was released over ten years ago in 2013, if you haven’t watched all three series, it’s definitely worth a watch - for David Tennent and Olivia Coleman alone.

Set in a picturesque British coastal town, each series follows slow-burn cases that rock the tight-knit community. It’s a must watch if you haven’t yet, or a rewatch if you’ve forgotten whodunnit.

You can watch Broadchurch on ITVX.

3. Criminal: United Kingdom

These might be some of the most tense watches I’ve had (aside from Adolescence). This series did not get the hype it deserved - it has one of the most incredible guest stars including Kit Harrington, Sharon Hogan, Kunal Nayyar, David Tennant, Hayley Atwell, and Youssef Kerkour. Each episode follows a separate case during police interrogation as they battle for a confession.

Plus, if you enjoy it, they have a French, Spanish, and German version - so whack on the subtitles and enjoy.

You can watch Criminal: UK on Netflix.

4. Safe

It wouldn't be a fair crime-drama listicle without a Harlen Coben feature. Netflix’s King of Crime, Coben’s Safe follows Tom Delaney - a widowed surgeon trying to raise his two daughters in a seemingly safe and picturesque area of England. After his 16 year old daughter Jenny goes missing, Tom uncovers a tangled web of secrets as he searches for her.

You can watch Safe on Netflix.

5. The Pembrokeshire Murders

Starring Luke Evans, The Pembrokeshire Murders is another series that should have gotten more hype. It’s a three-part series based on the real-life Pembrokeshire murders by serial killer John Cooper. Detective Superintendent Steve Wilkins decides to reopen two unsolved 1980s murder cases linked with a string of burglaries, hoping that using newly developed forensic DNA technology will help catch the suspect. And spoiler alert, it does.

You can watch The Pembrokeshire Murders on ITVX.

6. Andrew Tate: The Man Who Groomed the World?

Adolescence was heavily inspired by the rising knife crime in England, and the wave of young men being heavily influenced online. If this was one of the things about Adolescence that had you gripped, this documentary is an eye-opening dive into Tate’s alleged crimes, online footprint, public image, and the impact he has had on men.

You can watch Andrew Tate: The Man Who Groomed the World? on BBC iPlayer and Apple TV

7. Honour

You may be sensing a theme here as Honour is (yet another) British mini-series based on a real life case. Starring Keeley Hawes, it depicts the investigation into the disappearance and murder of honour killing victim Banaz Mahmod in 2006. The screenplay was created using first-hand experiences of key figures from the real case, including chief detective Caroline Goode. As well as a good crime drama, it’s an interesting insight into Iraqui-Kurdish family dynamics in modern day society.

You can watch Honour on ITVX.

8. A Confession

ITV may just be the GOAT of British real-life crime mini-series at this point. Starring Martin Freeman as Detective Superintendent Steve Fulcher, A Confession follows Fulcher’s investigation into the disappearance of a young woman in 2011. It first aired in 2019, inspired by a true story and follows Fulcher as he is accused of breaching protocol in order to obtain a confession. It’s like a play within a play - an investigation into an investigation - and is definitely worth a watch.

You can watch A Confession on Netflix and ITVX.

9. Believe me: The Abduction of Lisa McVey

Mixing it up with a Canadian-American crime-drama, Believe Me is based on the true abduction of McVey who escaped a serial killer using reverse psychology. However, after she escapes, the only person who believes her is Police Sergeant Larry Pinkerton, who is investigating the murders of nine women and believes her abductor to be the same perpetrator. It’s a tense race for truth as more secrets come to light as the investigation unfolds.

You can watch Believe me: The Abduction of Lisa McVey on Netflix.

10. The Undoing

The Undoing is an American mystery psychological thriller miniseries based on the novel You Should Have Known by Jean Hanff Korelitz. Set in New York on the Upper East Side, it follows Grace (played by Nicole Kidman) a wealthy therapist and her paediatric oncologist husband (Hugh Grant) who get embroiled in a murder case and must act fast to protect her son. It’s a classic too-good-to-be-true, have-it-all family whose fate takes a dark turn when a school mum is murdered.

It’s no wonder it was one of the most successful shows on Sky, with Susanne Bier of The Night Manager and After The Wedding directing, and David E Kelley writing the screenplay.

You can watch the Undoing on Now TV.

• Still not sure what to watch? Why not check out new movies and tv shows to stream this week