Elon Musk responds to allegations by Adolescence regarding race-swapping, as writer Jack Thorne speaks out: "We are not engaged in switching races..."
Netflix's hit miniseries "Adolescence" is facing a heated uproar, weeks after its debut. The show's writers are under fire for "race-swapping", a claim popularized by critics who allege the show is based on a true crime involving a black child. Some have even gone as far as branding "Adolescence" as "anti-white". The controversy gushed mainstream attention when Elon Musk echoed one such accusation on platform X, commenting simply, "Wow."
In an attempt to clear the air, co-creator and writer of "Adolescence", Jack Thorne, slammed the links between knife crime and black boys as ridiculous. He also denied any basis in true crime for the show's plot. “They claim Stephen and I based it on a story, and another story, so we race-swapped because we were basing it on her and it ended up there, and everything else. Nothing is further from the truth,” Thorne told The News Agent podcast.
Got the world talking
This gripping British crime drama, centered around 13-year-old Jamie Miller, accused of murdering a female classmate, has entranced Netflix viewers worldwide. With its intense narrative and emotional depth, "Adolescence" has prompted conversations on masculinity, social media, and modern parenting.
Furthermore, Thorne assured that the show's narrative is strictly fictional, devoid of any real-life event basis. He also dismissed the criticism that the show's culprit should have been a black boy, calling it ludicrous and emphasizing the show's exploration of themes such as masculinity and violence rather than race.
Adolescence premiered on Netflix on March 13, 2025, not March 17 as initially reported. In just two weeks, the show had garnered a colossal 66.3 million viewers, breaking records for a limited series.
A critical review of the series reads, “Beyond its exceptional screenplay, sharp dialogue, gripping storytelling, and top-notch technical prowess, "Adolescence" raises an unsettling question: what is the antidote to the disastrous effect of social media on the current generation, the traps of modern parenting, and the crippling self-doubt that fuels violence, as manifested in Jamie's struggle with masculinity and the destructive '80-20' dynamic? This haunting inquiry lingers, leaving audiences to grapple with the solution."
Despite the controversy, it seems "Adolescence" has managed to generate dialogue, spark new perspectives, and enthrall audiences worldwide.
- The controversial Netflix miniseries "Adolescence," set in India, has gripped viewers globally, with its focus on a 13-year-old boy accused of a crime and explorations of masculinity, social media, and parenting.
- Jack Thorne, one of the co-creators and writers of "Adolescence," has refuted accusations of race-swapping and basing the show on a true crime, insisting its narrative is purely fictional.
- The show premiered on Netflix on March 13, 2025, and, within two weeks, garnered a record-breaking 66.3 million viewers, showcasing its widespread appeal.
- Critics laud "Adolescence" for its exceptional screenplay, dialogue, storytelling, and technical prowess, while raising questions about the antidote to the harmful effects of social media, modern parenting, and self-doubt on today's adolescents.
- Elon Musk's public endorsement of the controversy surrounding "Adolescence" has added fuel to the fire, sparking even more discussion about the show's content and themes.
- In the midst of the uproar, "Adolescence" has successfully started conversations and shifted perspectives on various societal issues, making it a significant contribution to India's Bollywood and the global entertainment industry.
