Stephen Graham explained real reason why Jamie didn't feature in final episode of Adolescence
Stephen Graham has explained why Jamie didn't feature in the final episode of Adolescence.
The four-part Netflix drama has been gripping audiences since it dropped on the platform earlier this month.
The series tells the story of 13-year-old Jamie Miller (played by Owen Cooper) who is arrested by police in a dawn raid for the murder of his classmate, Katie.
Katie is killed in a brutal knife attack, with the perpetrator caught on CCTV footage.
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The show is made up of four episodes with each focusing on different aspects of Jamie's story.
While the first two look at Jamie's arrest and subsequent police interviews, the third sees the teenager speaking to his psychologist. Meanwhile, the fourth and final ep focuses on the family, in particular his parents Eddie (Stephen Graham) and Manda (Christine Tremarco) and how Jamie's crime has impacted their lives irreversibly.
Some viewers were left divided over the final episode, with many hoping to see more of what happened to Jamie, for example, his trial or time in the young offenders' facility.
In fact, viewers don't see Jamie at all in the finale, although we do hear from him in a phone call, when he rings his parents to tell them he's changed his plea to guilty.
Graham has since spoken about the final ep, and the decision to maintain focus on the family and explore the 'ripple effect' of Jamie's crime.
"I wanted to eliminate the possibility of thinking Eddie is a violent man," Graham explained to Netflix's Tudum.
"Eddie is a hardworking father who goes to work early in the morning, comes back late at night, and puts food on the table. He brings in as much love as he can. He does the best he can."
Meanwhile, screenwriter Jack Thorne added: "None of Jamie’s family members are to ‘blame’ for his actions, but Manda and Eddie tearfully take accountability for their parenting choices.
"How Eddie allowed his son to become absent, what Eddie taught his son, and what he didn’t teach his son. You need to understand that for the whole family."
Viewers were left full of emotion after the final episode, which is set one year on from Jamie's arrest.
It sees Eddie, who is doing his best to celebrate his 50th birthday, sitting on Jamie's bed and tucking his teddy under the duvet.
As he kisses the bear, he says: "I'm sorry son, I should have done better."
You can watch Adolescence on Netflix now.
Topics: Adolescence, Netflix, TV and Film, Stephen Graham
Lucy Devine