Upamanyu Biswas
In Netflix’s ‘Adolescence,‘ a young boy named Jamie Miller is arrested following the murder of his female schoolmate, Katie Leonard, casting a web of suspicion over his family’s lives. The show delves into the overall reaction of those closely involved with the crime and the community as a whole, with everyone trying to understand the reasons behind Jamie’s action. Considering the narrative approach, there is a deliberate emphasis on crafting an oppressive and overbearing atmosphere in every scene, much of which is achieved through intimate locales like police stations, schools, and psychiatric institutes. To that end, two prominent places that make a notable impression throughout the narrative are the Heywood Street Police Station, where Jamie is booked and investigated, and Bruntwood Academy, the school Jamie and Katie attend.
Heywood Street Police Station is a Fictional Police Station With No Ties to Reality
While the station feels authentic and real in every scene, it is actually a meticulous set designed by the show’s production team in Production Park at Unit 53 Lidgate Crescent, South Kirkby. The episode actually begins in a real house, following which the camera enters a car that drives over to the police station set, where we witness the intricate details put in place by the crew to enhance the effect of the Miller family’s shock. The series is filmed in strategic locations across the country, allowing for the one-take format’s use without breaking immersion or exacerbating technical difficulties. Thus, while the station itself may not be real, it plays a pivotal role in showcasing the reality of the Miller family’s situation as their day-to-day existence is broken by an unimaginable incident. Still, it remains a fictional backdrop without attachments to the real world.
One of the eye-catching aspects of ‘Adolescence’ is its utilization of a continuous one-shot take throughout each episode. It creates a sense of heightened tension and anticipation in every moment, allowing for a more engaging and intense storytelling journey. It also contributes to the manner in which various places come to life throughout each episode. This extends to the Heywood Street Police Station, where much of the drama unravels in episode 1. The station is a fictional creation of the show’s writers, Stephen Graham and Jack Thorne. Soon after being arrested at home, Jamie is driven in a van to the police station, where we witness him being processed and sent into a cell for a temporary period. Meanwhile, his family anxiously awaits news about him in the visitor’s room. The station is alive with movement as everyone prepares for Jamie’s interrogation.
Bruntwood Academy: A School Gripped By Constant Chaos
The second prominent location introduced in the series is Bruntwood Academy, the school where Katie and Jamie used to go together. Like Heywood Street Police Station, it is a fictional addition by Stephen Graham and Jack Thorne. Filming for the school scenes likely took place around the neighborhoods of Sheffield, South Yorkshire. The continuous take lends a real sense of palpable excitement and overwhelming chaos to the place. These uncontrollable factors feel reflective of schools in real life, albeit exaggeratedly. It makes a prominent impression due to the slick camerawork and the authentic action taking place behind the scenes to craft the realism the show is dedicated to achieving no matter what. To that end, it remains a pivotal aspect of the series despite being a fictional institute drawn from the imagination of the writers.
The school forms the primary backdrop throughout episode 2 as DI Luke Bascombe tries to get to the bottom of Katie’s murder by finding the weapon used to kill her and the motive behind Jamie’s actions. However, Bascombe finds it challenging to get past the unruly behavior exhibited by the students as they continue to be more interested in their affairs than those of the recently deceased. While it can be hard to watch, it also succinctly showcases the reality of the situation, especially how kids behave in a group environment with other kids surrounding them. At one point, Bascombe even comments that the place has a “prison-like” quality, with the teachers acting as the guards.
As the inspector bumbles through different classrooms, hoping to find the answers behind Katie’s death, he is contacted by his son, Adam, who also attends the same school. Adam is the first person who helps Bascombe understand Katie’s murder in a different light, explaining the social media emojis that he failed to grasp owing to his distance from the current generation of teens.
Read More: Where Was Netflix’s Adolescence Filmed?
