The acting in Adolescence is superb—Stephen Graham has to be one of the best actors of his generation. Owen Cooper as Jamie Miller also stands out especially as it is his debut, actualy every performance is fantastic. The subject matter is important, as knife crime has sadly become part of the adolescent experience. Add to this the toxicity of social media, and perhaps the only clumsy element in the narrative is the portrayal of kids’ social media “codes” and parents’ lack of understanding. But overall, the entire narrative felt real and believable.

Then we come to the use of single takes and the unbelievably meticulous choreography of actors and camera movements to achieve this. Was it a way of creating an immersive experience for the audience? This technique was first really seen in 1917 with the WWI trench-based epic directed by Sam Mendes. Here, was it a gimmick or an honest attempt to create an immersive narrative? Personally, it took me a while to get used to it. The opening sequence felt a bit laboured to me, and yes, I know I’m in the business, but rather than immerse me in the action, I found myself thinking, “How did they do that?” And that broke the immersion for me—the moment we start to wonder or marvel at the techniques is, in my opinion, a distraction from the story.

Adolescence is a compelling four-part British crime drama series that premiered on Netflix on March 13, 2025. Created by Jack Thorne and Stephen Graham, the series is directed by Philip Barantini and produced by Jo Johnson.

Plot Synopsis:

Adolescence explores the harrowing aftermath of a 13-year-old boy, Jamie Miller, who is arrested for the murder of his classmate, Katie. The series delves into the impact of this event on Jamie’s family, particularly his parents, Eddie and Manda Miller, as they grapple with the shocking reality. Through a real-time narrative presented in single continuous takes, the show examines themes of youth violence, online radicalization, and the influence of toxic internet cultures on vulnerable adolescents. As the investigation unfolds, the series offers a poignant commentary on the complexities of modern teenage life and the unseen dangers lurking in the digital age.

Main Cast:

Stephen Graham as Eddie Miller

Notable works:

• This Is England (2006) as Andrew “Combo” Gascoigne
• Boardwalk Empire (2010–2014) as Al Capone
• The Irishman (2019) as Anthony Provenzano

Ashley Walters as DI Luke Bascombe

Notable works:

• Top Boy (2011–2023) as Dushane Hill
• Bulletproof (2018–2021) as Ronnie Pike
• Get Rich or Die Tryin’ (2005) as Antwan

Erin Doherty as Briony Ariston

Notable works:

• The Crown (2019–2020) as Princess Anne
• Les Misérables (2018) as Fabienne
• Chloe (2022) as Becky Green
• Owen Cooper as Jamie Miller

Notable works:

• Adolescence marks his acting debut.

Faye Marsay as DS Misha Frank

Notable works:

• Game of Thrones (2015–2016) as The Waif
• Black Mirror (2016) in the episode “Hated in the Nation” as Blue Colson
• Pride (2014) as Steph Chambers

Production Details:

• Production Companies:

Warp Films, Matriarch Productions, and Plan B Entertainment.

• Writer:

Jack Thorne

• Director:

Philip Barantini

• Producer:

Jo Johnson

I really enjoyed this—the cast were fantastic and definitely made me laugh. While it’s not the funniest show I’ve ever seen, having Bob Mortimer involved is a masterstroke, as he’s truly a comedy genius. I still consider “Would I Lie to You” my current favorite comedy show. The show originated as Documental, with the full title Hitoshi Matsumoto Presents Documental, a Japanese comedy reality television show created and hosted by Hitoshi Matsumoto. The IP is owned by Yoshimoto Kogyo, a Japanese company that has been making Japan laugh for 112 years through managing comedy clubs and artists.

Typically, streaming platforms with global reach acquire IP rights from creators, as there’s little benefit in international sales when your platform is already global. However, this deal likely includes a licensing arrangement. It’s encouraging to see an alternative to the common “make once and dub” approach to drama—there’s still room for locally adapted versions. This more traditional format has provided work for many freelancers. For TV industry professionals, studying the different versions offers valuable lessons in localization, as Lucy Smith notes.

“‘LOL: Last One Laughing’ is proof that competition formats drive audiences to streamers,” said Lucy Smith, director of Mipcom and Mip London. “Amazon is leading the way, emerging as key producers of unscripted formats. Understanding the strategy behind this hugely successful roll out and how each version has been adapted culturally and comically, will be invaluable for anyone in the business of travelling IP and production globally.”

It is well worth a watch and is very enjoyable, 20 countries can’t be wrong and congratulations to Amazon for giving the format business hope and jobs to freelancers.

As a footnote, in December 2023, two women anonymously accused Hitoshi Matsumoto of sexual assault at parties in 2015, as reported by Shukan Bunshun magazine. His agency denied the claims, and Matsumoto called them groundless but paused his career. More similar allegations followed. In January 2024, he sued the magazine’s publisher for defamation, seeking ¥550 million. The case went to trial in March but was later withdrawn in November without a settlement. Matsumoto issued a statement apologizing to anyone who felt hurt.

“LOL: Last One Laughing” is a reality comedy series that has been adapted in various countries, each featuring local comedians and hosts. Below is an overview of some notable versions:

Synopsis Last One Laughing

Ten comedians are placed in a room together and must avoid laughing while attempting to make their fellow contestants laugh. Any visible reaction results in a warning, and a second offense leads to elimination. The last comedian remaining wins the competition.

Comedy reality competition featuring ten professional comedians from the UK. Contestants include Bob Mortimer, Richard Ayoade, Daisy May Cooper, Joe Wilkinson, Judi Love, Sara Pascoe, Joe Lycett, Rob Beckett, Lou Sanders, and Harriet Kemsley.

Genre & Contestants:

Jimmy Carr, known for his stand-up comedy and hosting roles on shows like “8 Out of 10 Cats,” and Roisin Conaty, a comedian and actress recognized for her work on “GameFace” and appearances on panel shows.

Host

Channel & Premiere:

Premiered on Amazon Prime Video on March 20, 2025.

Key Creatives:

Created by Hitoshi Matsumoto. Produced by Banijay UK labels Zeppotron and Initial.

Next Episode Info:

All six episodes of the first season were released between March 20 and March 27, 2025.

In my last newsletter, I highlighted where we really are with AI video generation—and the truth is, it’s still a long way off from what most people think.

So reviewing The Capture feels timely.

Now in its second series, the show explores the concept of deepfakes—taking things further in Season 2 with fakery happening in real time, even on live TV. The truth? We’re nowhere near that level yet.

That said, I really enjoyed the series. The story’s gripping, the production values are strong, and it’s a solid binge if you like tech-driven thrillers. Though I do think the title doesn’t quite reflect what the show’s about.

Here’s what the AI critic had to say after scraping reviews:

The Capture stands out as a compelling British thriller that delves into the unsettling possibilities of manipulated media and surveillance. Its strong performances and timely subject matter have resonated with both critics and audiences, despite some criticisms around plausibility and narrative execution.

If you’re into this genre, you might also enjoy Bodyguard or Line of Duty.

You can read my full post on the reality of A.I. Video on my blog or in my LinkedIn Alt Media newsletter. To get my posts in your inbox every Friday, visit my Substack

The Capture Synopsis

The Capture is a British thriller series that delves into the complexities of surveillance and the manipulation of evidence in the digital age. The narrative follows Detective Inspector Rachel Carey as she investigates cases involving deepfake technology and misinformation, raising questions about the reliability of visual evidence and the nature of truth.

Original Channel and Premiere Date

• Channel: BBC One
• Premiere Date: 3 September 2019

Key Creatives

• Writer: Ben Chanan
• Director: Ben Chanan
• Production Companies: Heyday Television, BBC, Universal International Studios

Cast

• Holliday Grainger as DCI Rachel Carey
  • Notable Works: Strike, The Borgias
• Callum Turner as Shaun Emery (Season 1)
  • Notable Works: Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald, War & Peace
• Paapa Essiedu as Isaac Turner (Season 2)
  • Notable Works: I May Destroy You, Gangs of London
• Ben Miles as Commander Danny Hart
  • Notable Works: The Crown, V for Vendetta
• Lia Williams as DSU Gemma Garland
  • Notable Works: The Crown, The Missing

Next Episode Information

As of April 2025, The Capture has been renewed for a third season, with filming scheduled to commence in spring 2025. Specific release dates and the expected release schedule are yet to be announced.

Gangs of London Series 3 v This City Is Ours and what The Last of Us gets right about real drama

I’ve just binged Gangs of London Series 3 and This City Is Ours back-to-back. What stuck with me wasn’t the body count. It was the contrast. Not just in tone, but in purpose. So Why We Watch: Violence…

Gangs is still the same slick, brutal show it always was. Stylish. Loud. Out to shock. It does that incredibly well. It practically dares you to look away. But by Series 3, even as a long-time fan, I found myself wondering if the violence had become the main event rather than a tool in service of story.

The placenta scene says it all. Not just excessive, but distracting. When violence becomes that inventive, it stops supporting the drama and starts dominating it. There’s still real craft at work, and I don’t doubt the talent behind the camera. But when you can’t remember why characters are trying to kill each other, or who’s double-crossed who, something’s off. The emotional anchor gets lost.

Then you hit This City Is Ours. Almost the opposite. It doesn’t chase headlines. It doesn’t try to top itself. Instead, it stays small and deliberate. The focus is loyalty. Trust. The cracks that form under pressure. The violence, when it comes, is rare. And because of that, it lands harder. Not from shock or gore, but because you didn’t see it coming.

This show is slower. And to be fair, not everyone’s sold. Some say it leans too hard on crime tropes. Others find the pace too measured. But if you stick with it, you get something more grounded. More plausible. Tighter. It has fewer moving parts, but better control. You feel the weight of every choice the characters make.

The Last of Us Season 2

It reminded me of the opening of The Last of Us Season 2. Yes, it’s about a zombie-infested world. But really? It’s about a stepfather and a teenage girl. A man trying to protect someone he loves. It’s a survival story, sure, but it’s not about the monsters. It’s about the people. That’s what great acting and writing can do. They pull you past the genre and into something real.

The big question for me is this: why do we watch anything? Is it for spectacle? Action? Familiar tropes? Or are we watching for connection? For honesty?

Take the Minecraft movie. It did huge numbers. Millions at the box office. And critics didn’t get it. But the audience did. The under-26s turned up because it was made for them. No apologies. No genre confusion. Just a story their generation could connect with.

And that’s the point. It’s not about what kind of drama you’re making. It’s about who you’re making it for. Gangs of London and This City Is Ours are both well-made shows. But they speak to very different audiences. One is chaos with flair. The other is clarity with focus.

The danger is trying to do everything. Trying to be for everyone. That’s how we get generic settings and safe drama. That’s how cinema and television end up bland.

People will show up for a good story. They’ll stay for characters who feel true. And they’ll talk about something that makes them feel.

So forget the genre. Forget the gimmicks. If the acting is strong and the writing honest, the audience will find you.

“This City Is Ours”

“This City Is Ours” premiered on BBC One on Sunday, 23 March 2025, at 9 pm GMT. All eight episodes are now available to stream on BBC iPlayer.

Series Synopsis:

Set in Liverpool, “This City Is Ours” follows Michael Kavanagh, a longtime figure in organized crime, as he contemplates leaving his illicit lifestyle behind for a future with his girlfriend, Diana. Complicating matters, crime boss Ronnie Phelan is considering retirement, igniting a power struggle between Michael and Ronnie’s son, Jamie, for control of the family’s criminal empire.

Writer, Director, and Production Company:

• Writer: Stephen Butchard
• Directors: Saul Dibb, John Hayes, and Eshref Reybrouck
• Production Company: Left Bank Pictures

Top 5 Cast Members and Selected Previous Credits:

1. Sean Bean as Ronnie Phelan

• Previous Credits:
• “Game of Thrones” (2011–2019) as Eddard ‘Ned’ Stark
• “Sharpe” series (1993–2008) as Richard Sharpe
• “The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring” (2001) as Boromir

2. James Nelson-Joyce as Michael Kavanagh

• Previous Credits:
• “A Thousand Blows” (2024) as Treacle Goodson
• “The Gold” (2023) as Micky McAvoy
• “Time” (2021) as Johnno

3. Jack McMullen as Jamie Phelan

• Previous Credits:
• “The First Team” (2020) as Jack Turner
• “The Souvenir” (2019) as Max
• “Little Boy Blue” (2017) as Jordan Olssen

4. Hannah Onslow as Diana

• Previous Credits:
• “Empire of Light” (2022) as Ruby
• “This Is Going to Hurt” (2022) as Erika Van Hegen
• “Call the Midwife” (2021) as Janet

5. Julie Graham as Elaine Phelan

• Previous Credits:
• “Shetland” (2014–2019) as Rhona Kelly
• “Benidorm” (2016–2018) as Sheron Dawson
• “Survivors” (2008–2010) as Abby Grant

“Gangs of London”

“Gangs of London” Season 3 premiered on Sky Atlantic on March 20, 2025.

Series Synopsis:

In the third season, chaos erupts in London’s underworld after a spiked shipment of cocaine results in numerous civilian deaths. Former undercover cop turned gangster, Elliot Finch, now operates at the top echelons of the criminal hierarchy alongside the Dumanis. This catastrophe disrupts their operations, leading to intense power struggles, unexpected alliances, and violent turf wars as various factions vie for control.

Key Production Details:

• Creators/Writers: Gareth Evans and Matt Flannery.

• Directors: Gareth Evans, Corin Hardy, and Xavier Gens.

• Production Companies: Pulse Films, Sister Pictures, and Sky Studios.

Top 5 Cast Members and Selected Previous Credits:

1. Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù as Elliot Finch:

• “His House” (2020)

• “The Huntsman: Winter’s War” (2016)

• “Humans” (TV Series, 2016)

2. Joe Cole as Sean Wallace:

• “Peaky Blinders” (TV Series, 2013–2017)

• “Black Mirror” (Episode: “Hang the DJ”, 2017)

• “A Prayer Before Dawn” (2017)

3. Lucian Msamati as Ed Dumani:

• “Game of Thrones” (TV Series, 2011–2019)

• “Luther” (TV Series, 2010–2019)

• “Kiri” (TV Mini-Series, 2018)

4. Michelle Fairley as Marian Wallace:

• “Game of Thrones” (TV Series, 2011–2013)

• “Suits” (TV Series, 2013)

• “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1” (2010)

5. Pippa Bennett-Warner as Shannon Dumani:

• “Harlots” (TV Series, 2017–2019)

• “MotherFatherSon” (TV Mini-Series, 2019)

• “The Smoke” (TV Series, 2014)

Episode Schedule:

Season 3 consists of 10 episodes. The series premiered on March 20, 2025, with episodes airing weekly on Thursdays at 9 pm on Sky Atlantic. Subscribers can also stream all episodes on NOW TV.