Netflix's 'Adolescence' sets new record in UK TV ratings

Adolescence becomes the first streaming show to claim the top spot in UK weekly TV ratings.

Netflix's critically acclaimed drama Adolescence has broken new ground in the U.K. television industry, becoming the first streaming series to top the country’s weekly TV ratings. The show outperformed major traditional broadcasters, including BBC’s The Apprentice and Death in Paradise, according to official data from the U.K.’s Broadcasters Audience Research Board (BARB).

In its debut week, Adolescence attracted an impressive 6.45 million viewers, setting a new streaming record in the U.K. The previous record was 6.3 million, held by Netflix’s Fool Me Once in January 2024. The second episode continued the series' success, drawing 5.94 million viewers, while The Apprentice and Death in Paradise secured third and fourth spots with 5.79 million and 5.75 million viewers, respectively. The show maintained strong viewership throughout its early episodes, with the third and fourth episodes attracting 5.14 million and 4.65 million viewers.

Premiering on March 13, Adolescence quickly sparked global attention with its gripping story about a 13-year-old boy arrested for the suspected murder of a schoolmate. The series has been praised for its innovative single-shot filming technique, which adds intensity to the narrative. Critics have lauded the show for its dark, raw exploration of youth, masculinity, and the influence of social media.

Aramide Tinubu, reviewing the series for Variety, called it “gutting, raw and stunningly acted,” noting its powerful commentary on the rising “manosphere” and its effects on young people. The cast includes Stephen Graham, Owen Cooper, Ashley Walters, Christine Tremarco, and Amelie Pease.

While Adolescence has set a new milestone for streaming platforms, it still trails behind some of the year’s top broadcast programs in terms of overall viewership. The Traitors, Call The Midwife, and Gavin & Stacey: A Fond Farewell all garnered higher seven-day audience figures. Additionally, ITV’s Mr Bates vs the Post Office reached 10 million viewers in its debut week last year.

BARB began incorporating streaming data into its ratings in 2021, and Netflix joined in October 2022, marking the growing impact of digital platforms on the television landscape.