The four-partNetflix seriesis the brainchild ofPeaky BlindersandThis Is Englandstar Stephen Graham andJoywriter Jack Thorne.
What makes the show even more arrestingand also distinguishes it from other crime dramasis the format.
I dont know how professionals do it, she said.
Ben Blackall/Netflix
Even as an actor, I feel like you might dip in and out and theres a fluidity.
WATCH: Erin Doherty talks about her performance in NetflixsAdolescence.
Adolescencehas been called one of the most terrifying TV shows of our times.
Netflix
Why do you think its such an important drama?
Erin Doherty:I think about having a younger brother myself, and seeing him navigate the world.
How did Stephen approach you for the role?
Netflix
He started telling me about this project that he was writing with Jack Thorne.
And I was like, Thats going to be incredible.
And then a couple of months went by after wrapping that, and he reached out.
Ben Blackall/Netflix
I was just absolutely flabbergasted that he would want me to be a part of it.
It was a no-brainer.
Im a storyteller, so I think every aspect, every lens should be explored.
I really do think its a vital story to be explored.
Its not surprising to me that that was the funnel that it came through from them.
Who better to get that on paper?
How did that impact your performance?
You only get that by being present.
And he was incredible.
So half the work was done for me; I just got to witness him essentially.
For a debut performance from Owen Cooper, age 14, its truly astonishing.
What was it like working with him?
Honestly, it felt like his age never came into it.
And the fact that its his first job never came into it.
It felt like working with an actor whod been doing it for 50 years.
Hes just so professional.
He turned up on day one, and he knew his lines.
He just was everything that youd hope for, with a castmate of any caliber; hes just unreal.
Id work with him for the rest of my days if I could.
I felt so supported by him as I hope he did by me.
I never felt like I was carrying any weight or dragging us through anything…it was completely 50-50.
And that is, with any actor, thats an absolute gift.
You cant really take that lightly.
He made it so easy.
It really is so draining.
I dont know how professionals do it.
As Erin, the actor, being like, you might do this, weve got this.
That was all bubbling at the surface.
So it just came out however it did.
Had you heard that before?
No, Id never…Id crossed paths maybe subconsciously with the incel language.
I think there was something in the news that Id seen.
It was quite horrific.
I feel like it was a few years ago.
But that was my only brush with the reality of what this is in our world.
What we can brush up against and be consciously swayed by, its unnerving.
I feel so immensely grateful that I just bypassed that….
There was just none of that pressure.
Its frightening, isnt it, to think about bringing kids into the world as well.
And speaking to parents, obviously you get to hear their perspectives on it.
But at the same time, you have to grant them freedom.
But just, I suppose, hope for the best.
And thats essentially all we can do and hold ourselves accountable for.
Its awful that weve had to get to this point to be having these conversations.
But in a way, the fact that we are now filling in those gaps is hopeful.
I think, yeah, its just about consent.
There have been blind spots that we need to now address immediately.
So thats ultimately really inspiring that thats happening.
What did you learn about yourself while doing this role?
That I couldnt be a therapist!
As much as I would have wanted to be.
But honestly, the level of exhaustion at the end of every day doing this for three weeks….
I tip my hat [because] I just dont know how therapists do it.
You mentioned earlier that you have seen a therapist yourself.
Are there any other ways you look after your own mental well-being?
Looking after yourself in the sense of physical activity, eating right, having these conversations.
Particularly in this industry, its quite easy to get swept up in the whole thing.
So for me, its about remaining connected to my family and keeping your feet on the ground.
But as I say, taking care of yourself and also not…trying not to be too self-judging.
Thats what I battle with mainly with this job… just trying not to beat myself up too much.
What do you think the message ofAdolescenceis?
I sat in a room with Jack, and I heard him say it so brilliantly.
But actually just look at it and go, look, this is really, really scary and terrifying.
For our younger generation, its our job to bite the bullet and just lean into the fear.
Because hopefully through those questions well get to some level of clarity.
But also, for me the hope is in the human contact.
And it always comes back to that.
Lets just talk, and lets get technology out of the equation as much as possible.
A version of this story was previously published inGlamour UK.
