TV drama Adolescence 'not easy viewing', says Starmer

Netflix series to be made free to stream for schools in the UK

- HELEN CORBETT

Sir Keir Starmer has said there is no “simple solution” to stop boys from being dragged into a “whirlpool” of misogyny, as he spoke to writers of the television drama Adolescence.

The prime minister said he wanted to talk about “what can we do as a society to stop and prevent young boys being dragged into this whirlpool of hatred and misogyny”, as he hosted creators of the four-part Netflix series at Downing Street.

Writer Jack Thorne and producer Jo Johnson, and representatives from the NSPCC and the Children’s Society, joined Sir Keir for a roundtable discussion. It comes as Netflix said it would make the series free to stream for all secondary schools across the UK. The drama, which examines so-called “incel” – involuntary celibate – culture, has prompted a national conversation about online safety.

Sir Keir said he and his wife had watched it with his 14-year-old daughter and 16-year-old son, and that “as a dad, I have not found it easy viewing”. “As a father, watching this show with my teenage son and daughter, I can tell you – it hit home hard,” he added.