Less than four minutes into Netflix’s new series Adolescence, police break into a house on a quiet street and make an arrest on the suspicion of murder.
The suspect? A 13-year-old boy named Jamie, who’s been accused of killing his classmate Katie.
As authorities take him away, his father Eddie (played by the series co-creator and writer Stephen Graham) yells out, “He hasn’t done anything! You’re making a mistake!”
Whether or not that’s true is explored throughout the four-part British drama, which extends from the day of the arrest to 13 months later as Jamie’s parents (Graham and Christine Tremarco), detectives (Ashley Walters and Faye Marsay) and a psychologist (Erin Doherty) try to get to the bottom of what happened.
While Netflix has released several true crime series, the story of Jamie (OwenCooper‘s breakout role) isn’t based on just one real-life person or case.
“I was reading the paper, and there was an article about a young boy who’d stabbed a young girl to death,” Graham recalled in a March 16 interview with Virgin Radio U.K. “And then a couple of months later, I was watching the news and there was a piece on there about a young boy who’d stabbed a young girl to death—and these were at opposite ends of the country.”
“It hurt at my heart,” he continued. “Being a father myself, I just thought, ‘What’s happening with our young men today in society that this is becoming a regular occurrence?'” (According to figures provided by the U.K.’s Ministry of Justice, juveniles between the ages of 10 to 17 were the offenders in roughly 17 percent of the nearly 18,500 cautions and convictions made for possession of a knife or offensive weapon that were recorded in England and Wales in the year ending in March 2023).
It’s a question Graham hopes to address, noting to Netflix’s website Tudum, that one of their aims was to ask, “What are the pressures they face from their peers, from the internet, and from social media?”
And for him, it was important to show that Jamie came from a stable household so viewers could focus more on his actions versus those of his mom and dad.
“When I hear these things on the news, I know I’m not alone in blaming the parents sometimes,” the actor recently told Rolling Stone U.K. “And then I thought to myself, ‘What if it’s not the parents?'”
Taking this approach also emphasized the question, how well does a parent really know what their teen is doing?
“We could have made a drama about gangs and knife crime, or about a kid whose mother is an alcoholic or whose father is a violent abuser,” Graham explained to Tudum. “Instead, 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.”
Ultimately, Graham doesn’t have a specific answer for the problems explored in Adolescence. But he hopes the show is a call to action to tackle them together.
“You know that beautiful saying it takes a village to raise a child?” the 51-year-old said on the March 14 episode of This Morning. “Well, in a way, I think we’re all slightly accountable from the side of the parenting, the school, the political structure, society itself, and then what we didn’t have when we were kids: Social media, the influence of social media, phones. They parent our kids just as much as we do today. And we’re not pointing the finger specifically at any one thing. We’re just saying, ‘Let’s talk about this. Let’s bring this into our awareness.’”
All four episodes of Adolescence are available to stream on Netflix now.
To see when more must-see shows are available, keep reading…
Harry Potter: Wizards of Baking (Food Network) – Nov. 2
Season two will feature even more spellbinding creations, enchanted elements and baking wizardry as a new field of competitors embark on the experience of a lifetime. Hosts James and OliverPhelps (Fred and George Weasley) bring their charm, humor and behind-the-scenes anecdotes, and are joined by esteemed culinary judges Carla Hall and Jozef Youssef, who bring their discerning palates and high expectations to the table. Special guests Warwick Davis (Professor Flitwick), Afshan Azad (Padma Patil) and Devon Murray (Seamus Finnigan) help evaluate the competitors’ showpieces as they share their own stories from the films.
I Love LA (HBO) – Nov. 2
The new comedy follows an ambitious friend group as they navigate life and love in L.A.
Robin Hood (MGM+) – Nov. 2
Robin Hood brings a modern energy to the classic tale of the roguish outlaw hero who stole from the rich and gave to the poor, and the epic love story between him and a courageous and daring Marian. It is a smart, sweeping, romantic adventure that brings historical authenticity, psychological depth, and a heightened focus on the relationship between Rob and Marian to the beloved story. Following the Norman invasion of England, Rob – a Saxon forester’s son – and Marian, the daughter of a Norman lord – fall in love and work together to fight for justice and freedom. As Rob rises as the leader of a band of rebel outlaws, Marian infiltrates the power at court, as both work together to thwart royal corruption and bring peace to the land.
In the Eye of the Storm (Discovery Channel) – Nov. 2
The season continues with powerful stories from across the country: Local residents in Los Angeles and Pacific Palisades who became unexpected heroes as overwhelming wildfires engulfed entire neighborhoods in early 2025; the terrifying path of a tropical wave that intensified into Category 4 Hurricane Ian and devastated entire coastal communities in Florida; a rare and unexpected EF3 twister that touched down in a small Northern Michigan town; and the dramatic search-and-rescue efforts in Texas, where locals navigated streets by boat after Hurricane Harvey’s raging 130-mph winds tore apart entire buildings.
Holiday Baking Championship (Food Network) – Nov. 3
Holiday Baking Championship will return and, for the first time ever, will split the 12 competing bakers into two teams of Naughty vs. Nice as host Jesse Palmer welcomes them to an adorable, immersive holiday village with a working coffee shop, general store, and town hall. In this joyful world, the teams will take on tasks like “Snow Day Desserts,” “Chrismukkah Platters,” and of course, “Naughty Elf Desserts” – complete with advantages that lean either mischievous or merry. Judges Duff Goldman, Nancy Fuller andKardea Brown will bring tough love as they determine which amazing baker will earn the title of Holiday Baking Champion and receive a feature in Food Network magazine and the grand prize of $25,000.
St. Denis Medical (NBC) – Nov. 3
The medical comedy returns for season two.
All’s Fair (Hulu) – Nov. 4
A team of female divorce attorneys leave a male-dominated firm to open their own powerhouse practice. Fierce, brilliant, and emotionally complicated, they navigate high-stakes breakups, scandalous secrets, and shifting allegiances—both in the courtroom and within their own ranks. In a world where money talks and love is a battleground, these women don’t just play the game—they change it.
The series stars Kim Kardashian, Naomi Watts, Niecy Nash-Betts, Teyana Taylor, Matthew Noszka with Sarah Paulson and Glenn Close.
Squid Game: The Challenge (Netflix) – Nov. 4
Squid Game: The Challenge returns for a gripping second season. This time, 456 brand-new contestants will enter the ultimate test of strategy, alliances, and endurance as they compete for a life-changing $4.56 million prize. Inspired by the iconic original series – with shocking new twists and never-before-seen games – season two raises the stakes higher than ever. As players face elimination at every turn, only one can emerge victorious. New players. New games. New rules.
Tournament of Champions: All-Star Christmas (Food Network) – Nov. 5
Guy Fieri makes the most wonderful time of the year even more wonderful, with a high-stakes holiday incarnation of the ultimate sudden-death culinary showdown, Tournament of Champions: All-Star Christmas. And because the holidays are a time for cooking with the ones you love, chefs will be invited to pair up in teams of two to compete for glory and goodwill. In every battle, teams will serve up a savory and a sweet dish based on the spin of the Randomizer. The chef teams will need to be in sync and on their game to earn the title, the belt, a $100,000 cash prize furnished by Carnival Cruise Lines and their split of an additional $50,000 prize to give to a cause close to their hearts.
Expedition Unknown (Discovery Channel) – Nov. 5
With exclusive access to one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, explorer Josh Gates unravels long-held conspiracy theories about how this marvel of engineering was truly built. Using first-of-its-kind 3D scans of a mysterious tunnel system, Gates executes a daring experiment to replicate the Pyramid’s construction, uncovering a labyrinth of secrets buried deep beneath the stone.
Expedition Files (Discovery Channel) – Nov. 5
Gates embarks on a time-travelling quest, taking us into the past to solve history’s most enduring mysteries. Gates reveals fresh evidence and striking, new revelations that could rewrite history as we know it. In the season premiere, Gates examines an explosive new theory about the fate of vanished Teamsters leader Jimmy Hoffa. He also reveals the extraordinary artifact that may finally end the age-old hunt for the Holy Grail and sets sail to unravel a maritime mystery – the disappearance of German inventor Rudolph Diesel, the man whose engines changed the world.
All Her Fault (Peacock) – Nov. 6
Marissa Irvine (Sarah Snook) arrives to collect her young son Milo from his first playdate, but the woman who answers the door isn’t a mother she recognizes. She doesn’t have Milo and has never heard of him. And so begins every parent’s worst nightmare.
Wicked Special Event (NBC) – Nov. 6
In celebration of Universal Pictures’ highly anticipated film Wicked: For Good, Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande will be joined by their co-stars and other surprise guests to perform many songs from the first movie—and maybe some from the sequel—at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.
ALEX VS AROD (HBO) – Nov. 6
From the pinnacle of athletic success to the depths of scandal, Alex Rodriguez saw his prolific baseball career marred by a high-profile suspension for performance-enhancing drug use. Told through a series of intimate interviews with Rodriguez, ALEX VS AROD explores the dualities of one of the most polarizing figures in sports. With the benefit of hindsight and years of intense self-examination, Rodriguez confronts the personal struggles and controversies that shaped his journey from “Alex,” a baseball prodigy abandoned by his father, to “A-Rod,” the decorated MLB superstar driven by a relentless pursuit of greatness, no matter the cost. Featuring insights from family, friends, teammates, and broadcasters, the series examines the events that fueled Rodriguez’s rise and fall, as well as his extraordinary talent, his place in baseball history, and the personal growth that defines his life as “Alex” today.
Happy’s Place (NBC) – Nov. 7
Bobbie (Reba McEntire) inherits her father’s tavern (Happy’s Place) and is surprised to discover that she has a new business partner, Isabella (Belissa Escobedo), a twentysomething half-sister that she never knew she had.
Season two debuts this fall.
Stumble (NBC) – Nov. 7
A mockumentary about the ridiculously high stakes competitive world of junior college cheer.
Maxton Hall – The World Between Us (Prime Video) – Nov. 7
Those who fly high can also fall low…After their passionate night together in Oxford and her greatest life goal within reach, everything seems to be going perfectly for Ruby (Harriet Herbig-Matten). But a stroke of fate in James’ (Damian Hardung) family changes everything and James himself, of all people, brings her back from cloud nine to a harsh reality. Ruby is devastated. She has never had such strong feelings for anyone as she does for James – and she has never been so hurt by anyone either. She wants her old life back, where no one at Maxton Hall knew her and she wasn’t part of the elitist world of her classmates. But she can’t forget James – especially since he’s doing everything he can to win her back.
Power Book IV: Force (Starz) – Nov. 7
This season, Tommy Egan’s relentless ambition to dominate Chicago’s drug game comes at a high cost. In order to claim the throne as kingpin, he must navigate an ever-evolving dynamic with his business partner, Diamond (Isaac Keys), and a contentious relationship with Diamond’s brother, Jenard (Kris D. Lofton). As pressure mounts from the coalition, the Feds, Miguel’s crew and the Marquez Cartel, Tommy must find a way to protect his family and those he loves, including Mireya (Carmela Zumbado).
Gold Rush (Discovery Channel) – Nov. 7
With only a few short months to mine, top bosses and rising underdogs collide in a race to claim new ground, move more dirt, and strike it rich. Channeling the spirit of America’s original gold rush, this season is a cutthroat scramble where loyalties are tested, tensions run high, and fortunes hang in the balance. By the end of the season, the combined total for all miners will reach nearly $100 million, marking the biggest pay day in Gold Rush history.
Pluribus (Apple TV+) – Nov. 7
The new series is a genre-bending original in which the most miserable person on Earth must save the world from happiness.
Snapped: Behind Bars (Oxygen) – Nov. 9
The third season of Snapped: Behind Bars takes viewers behind prison walls to meet convicted individuals featured on Snapped, who are now willing to discuss their cases. These exclusive jailhouse interviews will walk audiences through the point of view of the accused themselves, using the previous episodes of Snapped as archival to weave in the case details. The episodes feature new interviews with experts who provide insights into the psychology of the perpetrators. Friends and family who have not spoken out previously also sit down and share emotional statements and current updates.
Killer Relationship (Oxygen) – Nov. 9
Season four of Killer Relationship with Faith Jenkins continues to investigate complex relationships that end in untimely tragedy. In addition to romantic couples, this highly emotional season will also explore the fraught dynamics between family, colleagues and friendships, uncovering how any relationship has the potential to be a killer relationship. With her background as a criminal prosecutor in the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, and with her expertise in matters of the heart, Faith Jenkins gives her professional POV of the nightmarish cases. With first-hand accounts from victims’ family, friends and law enforcement, each hour-long episode reveals the inner workings of intimate attachments that seemed fated to last forever but ultimately end in murder.
Killer Grannies (Oxygen) – Nov. 9
The new true-crime series, hosted by Oscar-nominated actress June Squibb, chronicles shocking cases involving a killer no one would suspect: Grandma. In every self-contained episode, a rollercoaster ride of a case unfolds as investigators dig deep and chase every lead until they finally catch their unexpected killer. Through gripping archival footage, selective recreations and cinematic imagery, and in-depth interviews with investigators, prosecutors, friends and family, every episode will peel back the plastic cover on the couch to uncover a world of sinister plots and evil deeds unpacking why and how these maternal matriarchs of the family can turn deadly.
Sweet Empire (Food Network) – Nov. 9
Making its wintry debut is a new competition series Sweet Empire where fourteen of the most competitive and talented sweets makers are invited to the Yuletide Lodge for a competition unlike any other. While the competitors enter as individuals, their goal will be to get on– and stay on– the strongest team by any means necessary, because in this game the bakers must create incredible edible works of art to grow their teams and avoid elimination. In the end, teams will crumble until only the strongest will be left standing to become the Sweet Empire. Wells Adams will host with Jacques Torres and Yolanda Gampp serving as judges in this holiday baking competition with an edge.
Caroline Flack: Search for the Truth (Hulu) – Nov. 10
Caroline Flack: Search for the Truth examines the shocking story of Caroline Flack, Love Island presenter and one of Britain’s biggest stars. After her arrest in 2019, she became the target of a relentless media storm. Vilified in the press and online, her world spiraled – ending in tragedy when she took her own life.
This powerful two-part documentary follows Caroline’s mother, Christine, as she investigates the truth about her daughter’s final months – uncovering new shocking details, asking difficult questions, and exposing the misrepresentations, pressures and failures from institutions and decision makers that shaped Caroline’s final days. With access to powerful testimony from Caroline’s inner circle and those who were there, the series tells the story she never got to share and reveals an unprecedented look at what really happened to Caroline Flack.
Honest Renovations: A Holiday Home Makeover! (Roku Channel) – Nov. 10
Jessica Alba and Lizzy Mathis bring some Christmas magic to a special holiday home makeover. Firefighter William Basulto gets to celebrate Christmas at home with his family, after years of spending the day working at the fire station. Jess and Lizzy make the moment unforgettable with a dazzling transformation that makes their home fit their needs and turns the backyard into a party-ready winter wonderland. A heartfelt surprise—from William—makes this a Christmas the family will never forget!
Beat Bobby Flay: Holiday Throwdown (Food Network) – Nov. 11
‘Tis the season for revenge when Beat Bobby Flay: Holiday Throwdown premieres on Tuesday, Nov. 11. Last holiday season, Bobby Flay didn’t play nice and ended up with a clean sweep. This year, all his old friends and Food Network’s favorite chefs will return to serve a helping of “Revengesgiving” with a heaping side of “holi-payback.” The stakes will be higher than ever, as everyone is out to ruin Bobby’s holiday season.
Surviving Mormonism With Heather Gay (Bravo) – Nov. 11
Heather Gay of The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City uncovers the dark history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in a three-part special.
The limited series fractures the church’s seemingly perfect veneer to expose the secrets that have been kept behind closed doors. In each hourlong episode, Heather has impactful conversations with abuse survivors, ex-Mormons and former LDS church leaders. As Heather reflects on her own departure from the church, Surviving Mormonism delves into outdated and controversial practices and empowers victims to share their experiences to bring awareness and enact change.
Palm Royale (Apple TV+) – Nov. 12
In season two, Maxine is left a social pariah after a scandalous public breakdown. She’ll have to draw on her deep well of cleverness and cunning to prove once and for all, that not only does she belong, but she just might have what it takes to rule this town. Along the way she will uncover untold truths and finally understand what this town is truly built on…secrets, lies and the occasional felony.
Selling the OC (Netflix) – Nov. 12
The OC agents are back and ready to establish their office as the top brokerage within the Oppenheim Group. As the competition heats up for some high-stakes listings, some may get burned as devastating rumors divide the team. While the office gets busier, Jason enlists agents from San Diego, but will the OGs of the OC let the new agents sink or swim?
