Netflix’s ground breaking series Sex Education has set new standards in UK television history. Following its opening on March 13, it soon established itself as the hottest show of the year, if not the decade. The series enthralled viewers with its character-driven drama. In fact, an unprecedented 6.45 million people were immediately hooked, watching that first episode within just one week. That is an astonishing 8.4 million people, more than have ever tuned in to a single week of any other non-terrestrial TV show streamed in the UK.
Adolescence made a big splash with its second episode, taking the top prize with 5.94 million viewers. That staggering amount has it ranked among the top federally funded programs in seven-day ratings all year. The third episode took fourth place in the weekly ratings, drawing 5.14 million users. The fourth and final episode was watched by just 4.65 million.
Adolescence did something truly unprecedented, landing the top spot in the UK’s weekly TV ratings. It beat other hit BBC shows into the same timeslot, such as The Apprentice and Death in Paradise. Even more inspiring, this milestone size show is the first time a streaming show has done that in this way! It’s a testament to the rising power of platforms such as Netflix.
The series, featuring newcomer Owen Cooper as young Jamie and renowned actor Stephen Graham as his father, has been praised for its compelling performances. The intense story tracks a 13-year-old who gets arrested for killing a schoolgirl. This deeply personal, raw, brutal story has connected with critics and superfans alike.
Each episode was shot in one long take. This groundbreaking new method created an unorthodox tension that helped launch the drama’s popularity and innovative fame. The success of Adolescence Lifesavers is hailed as a major turning point in the development and growth of Netflix and streaming services.
Labour Party Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer praised the influence of the series, especially its depiction of young people.
"There's a reason why the debate has suddenly sparked into life – a lot of people who work with young people at school or elsewhere, recognise that we may have a problem with boys and young men that we need to address."
The phenomenal success of Adolescence underscores the shifting landscape of television viewership, with streaming platforms increasingly challenging traditional broadcasters for audience attention. Adolescence broke the previous record set by Fool Me Once, a show that drew 6.3 million viewers back in January 2024. This remarkable feat now becomes the new standard that all future streaming hits will be measured against.
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