The Conservative Party leader critiques the drama series ‘Adolescence’ for its alterations to a supposedly true story while addressing broader concerns about youth and online safety.
Kemi Badenoch, the British politician and Leader of the Conservative Party, has made remarks regarding the controversial drama series “Adolescence,” suggesting it is based on a true story that has been “fundamentally changed.” Her statement drew attention to the show’s exploration of themes surrounding incel (involuntary celibate) culture, which has ignited a broader discussion about online safety for young people.
The series, which depicts a teenage boy accused of murdering a schoolmate, has made waves for its reflection on societal issues. Badenoch, who has not viewed the series but claims to understand its narrative, conveyed her views during an appearance on LBC. “I don’t have time to watch anything to be honest, but I have read about it … what I understand is that this is a fictional representation of a story that is actually quite different,” she stated.
While acknowledging that “Adolescence” addresses significant modern issues, Badenoch emphasised that Islamic terrorism represents a more pressing threat. She stated, “it is not the biggest thing that is happening in the world today in terms of what is happening to people being radicalised on social media.” She argued against crafting policy based on fictional narratives, pointing out that alterations made to the original story detract from its factual basis.
Her comments surfaced against the backdrop of a recent roundtable discussion held by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer at Downing Street, where Thorne, the show’s co-creator, and representatives from children’s charities convened to address the influence of misogyny on young boys due to their online interactions. Badenoch also referenced the Conservative Party’s initiative to ban mobile phones in schools, adding that it may not be necessary since many educational institutions already impose similar restrictions.
Social media speculation, fuelled by prominent figures such as Elon Musk, has suggested that the character in “Adolescence,” played by a white actor, is based on the Southport attacker. In response to these claims, Jack Thorne refuted the idea of “race-swapping” in the series, clarifying that it is not rooted in a true story. During an interview on the News Agents podcast, he remarked, “It’s absurd to say that (knife crime) is only committed by black boys. It’s absurd. It’s not true. And history shows a lot of cases of kids from all races committing these crimes.” Thorne emphasised that the narrative aims to address issues surrounding masculinity rather than race.
The discourse surrounding “Adolescence” highlights the complex intertwining of fiction, societal issues, and policy implications in contemporary discussions about youth and culture.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.gbnews.com/celebrity/netflix-adolescence-jo-hartley-statement-instagram-ending-finale – This URL supports the discussion about the Netflix series ‘Adolescence’ and its exploration of societal issues, including its impact and reception.
- https://www.itv.com/news/2025-03-19/starmer-backs-campaign-to-show-tv-drama-adolescence-in-schools-and-parliament – This URL corroborates Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s backing of the campaign to show ‘Adolescence’ in schools and Parliament as part of addressing online safety and misogyny.
- https://www.itv.com/news/2025-03-31/adolescence-creators-meet-pm-as-tv-drama-made-free-to-watch-in-schools – This URL provides further details about the creators of ‘Adolescence’ meeting with Prime Minister Starmer to discuss the show’s themes and its availability in schools.
- https://www.noahwire.com/ – This URL is referenced as the source for the initial article discussing Kemi Badenoch’s remarks on the drama series ‘Adolescence’ and its exploration of incel culture.
- https://www.lbc.co.uk/ – This URL would support Kemi Badenoch’s appearance on LBC, where she discussed ‘Adolescence,’ though specific details are not available without the exact article link.
- https://www.thefulltranscript.com/podcasts/the-news-agents – This URL is related to The News Agents podcast, where Jack Thorne may have addressed claims surrounding ‘Adolescence’; however, the exact link to his interview is not provided here.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative appears recent and mentions ongoing discussions about the series ‘Adolescence.’ However, the role descriptions (e.g., Kemi Badenoch as Leader of the Conservative Party) and the lack of specific recent developments like a date or event may indicate it’s not entirely up-to-date.
Quotes check
Score:
9
Notes:
Direct quotes from Kemi Badenoch and Jack Thorne are included. While these could be original sources, they seem to be part of public appearances or interviews. It would be beneficial to find the earliest known online references for these quotes for further verification.
Source reliability
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative originates from a reputable publication, which generally enhances reliability. However, the accuracy of specific claims and quotes could benefit from cross-validation with other trusted sources.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The claims in the narrative are plausible, focusing on current societal issues and policy discussions. The involvement of known figures like Kemi Badenoch and Jack Thorne adds credibility to the content.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The narrative appears to be generally reliable and timely, discussing contemporary issues and involving well-known figures. However, a few aspects, such as verifying the quotes’ original sources and ensuring the accuracy of specific claims, could enhance its credibility further.
