A leading actor from the popular Netflix series Adolescence has voiced concerns about the recent budget cuts by the US and UK governments.
The series gained significant attention for its depiction of a British teenager who commits the murder of a female classmate.
Each episode is uniquely shot in a single, uninterrupted take, capturing the aftermath and ripple effects of the murder. This includes the police raid on the boy’s family home, his interrogation, interactions at his school, a session with a forensic psychiatrist, and the emotional turmoil of his family grappling with his actions.
The show caught the attention of the UK parliament due to its exploration of how young men might be drawn into violence against women and girls, demonstrating the potent role of art in addressing societal issues.
Stephen Graham, both the creator and one of the main actors of the show, has voiced criticism towards the US and UK government funding policies, particularly as arts funding faces significant cuts.
In an interview with The Mirror US, Graham appeared to address the impact of Trump’s budget reductions, saying, “We need to produce art.”
Under Trump’s administration, arts funding in the US has been severely reduced, impacting public television and radio, museums, theatres, and other cultural organizations.
For many, arts programs are essential, providing crucial opportunities for young people. In an industry known for its financial challenges, reducing funding can prevent those from less privileged backgrounds from pursuing careers in the arts.
“Art is integral for humanity to continue. Do you know what I mean?” Graham continued. “To keep the spirit of their life. We are all working class kids and we’re from working class backgrounds.”
Reflecting on his own journey, Graham noted, “Me and Christine [Christine Tremarco, who played the mother of Jamie Miller in Adolescence] used to go to Quarry Green shops, but here we are today, because we seized those opportunities.
“But those opportunities have to be there for children, for young people, because ultimately they are our future.
“So I think it’s integral and it’s a necessity that we fund these things that we give people.”
Even beyond career prospects, the arts offer community and joy, even if someone doesn’t become a professional in the field.
Graham further emphasized that removing community resources from young people, only to then blame them, is counterproductive.
“You can’t keep blaming the kids because you’re taking away the community centers and you keep taking away the youth clubs,” he remarked.
“What do you expect them to do? You have to feed them with knowledge.”
Adolescence is currently available for streaming on Netflix.