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How an unplanned second take and set change gave Netflix hit Adolescence its emotional climax
Show co-creator and star Stephen Graham has revealed that the Netflix phenomenon didn't originally end with Eddie crying in Jamie's room
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Much has been made about the fact that each episode of Netflix mega-phenomenon Adolescence was shot in one take — but a new interview has revealed that the emotional final episode used the second take of the entire experience, and featured a different ending brought about due to the director’s sneakiness.
In an interview with Variety, series star/co-creator/co-writer Stephen Graham says that the crew had already shot a “really good” version of the show’s final episode, wherein the family of Jamie Miller have to deal with the fallout of what he’s done, but that they decided to go for a second round. “We said, ‘Let’s see what happens. This is a freedom take. We [already] have it. It’s beautiful, Let’s see what happens,’” he revealed.
However, what he didn’t know was that director Philip Barantini and Graham’s wife (and series co-producer) Hannah Walters had changed the set dressing in the room for the final scene — where Graham’s character Eddie visits Jamie’s room and breaks down. The two had placed photos of Graham’s family behind the camera, with notes from his children telling him that they were proud of him and loved him.
“As they open the door, I’m aware of where the camera’s gonna come around. I turned and I just saw on the closet, I saw my kids, quickly read the thing, and then just made it as if I was looking around the room,” Graham told Variety. “But already inside, I’m saying, ‘Don’t you cry. Don’t you cry. Eddie doesn’t cry.’ Then, pop. The emotion just came out.”
The second take was the one used — and Graham’s surprise (and unplanned) crying became the final scene of the entire series, as he apologized to the not-present Jamie for not raising him better.
Adolescence is streaming on Netflix now.
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