Adolescence creator says social media users have shared false claims about him

By Charlotte McLaughlin, PA Senior Entertainment Reporter

Adolescence co-creator Jack Thorne has revealed that social media users have shared false claims about him following the success of the hit Netflix show.

The four-part crime drama – about a boy accused of killing his female classmate – was co-written and created with This Is England star Stephen Graham.

The series, which starts with the arrest of 13-year-old Jamie Miller, played by newcomer Owen Cooper, has been at the top of the most-watched programmes on the streaming website globally and has prompted questions in Parliament.

The limited series, starring Graham as Jamie’s father, examines so-called incel culture, which has been blamed for misogyny online, and the use of social media in bullying.

When asked about the reaction, Thorne told BBC Two’s current affairs programme Newsnight: “It’s very interesting.

“I’ve been on the television a little bit, and what’s been happening in the last few days is my picture is being circulated with questions (made about) my masculinity, questions as to whether I’ve got too much oestrogen (a group of female sex hormones) in my system, questions whether I’m a man or not.

“Weird things like people saying I’m Jewish, when I’m not, it’s been very odd, and it’s given me a taste of something that’s very strange.

“I’m very comfortable with how I look, I don’t mind it, but it’s been scientifically very interesting.”

Thorne has advocated for the show to be shown in Parliament and schools, and during Wednesday’s Prime Minister’s Questions, Sir Keir Starmer indicated that it should.

The Prime Minister said he watched the programme with his children, and added that “this violence carried out by young men, influenced by what they see online, is a real problem, it’s abhorrent, and we have to tackle it”.

Thorne said he hopes “we can use this moment to provoke this Government to consider quite serious change”.

He referenced that the Australian Senate has passed a social media ban for young children.

“I would extend it further, it is about gaming too, and it’s about getting inside all these different systems,” Thorne said.

He admitted that there was “good” about social media and gaming, but stressed the Government should legislate to protect teenagers and see “what change that could bring to our society”.

Australia is set to make platforms including TikTok, Facebook, Snapchat, Reddit, X and Instagram liable for fines of up to 50 million Australian dollars (£25 million) if they systematically do not prevent those younger than 16 from holding accounts.

Thorne also said the issue is not just about controversial influencer Andrew Tate, adding this is why the series has “struck a chord” worldwide.

Following the show, Sir Gareth Southgate delivered the Richard Dimbleby Lecture at the University of London, saying “manipulative and toxic influencers” trick young men into thinking women are against them.

The former England manager said many young men end up “searching for direction” and fill the void with a “new kind of role model who do not have their best interest at heart”.