The making of Adolescence hit an unexpected hurdle when a crucial aerial shot, which reveals the murder scene in the second episode, was at risk of being cut.
The ambitious sequence involved a dramatic transition from filming pedestrians crossing the road at head height to a sweeping drone shot that flew over buildings, eventually landing in a car park.
The scene showed police tape and flowers for the murdered schoolgirl, Katie, creating a poignant visual moment for the Netflix series.
Weather Challenges and Last-Minute Fixes
Initially, the plan was to shoot the scene at eye level, but weather conditions and the difficulty of controlling a drone in windy conditions led to a series of subpar attempts.
Cinematographer Matt Lewis was determined to get the perfect shot but feared it might not happen.
“The wind was a huge issue,” he explained, “and the camera had to fly and land perfectly in a small window.”
After several unsuccessful attempts by Wednesday, Netflix executives and the creative team decided to take a risk.
Cinematographer’s Determination Pays Off
Matt Lewis, who was behind the idea of using a drone to create the shot, was initially unsure whether it was even feasible. “I didn’t know we could pull it off,” he admitted.
“But if we could get the camera to fly away over the crime scene after someone crosses the road, it would be incredible.”
By Thursday, they still hadn’t gotten the shot they wanted, and the pressure was mounting.
“I was terrified,” Lewis confessed. “If we didn’t get it, the episode would be in jeopardy.”
A Difficult Morning and Breakthrough on the Final Day
Friday morning arrived with only a slight improvement in weather conditions, but the team was running out of time.
Despite still being on edge about the windy conditions, Lewis pushed forward.
“We had to get something in the bag, just in case,” he recalled.
“So, we did a quick take where we didn’t land the drone, just to have one secure shot.”
That take was enough to bring some relief, but they still needed to nail the landing.
Later that afternoon, they finally captured the perfect shot—a flawless drone landing with actor Stephen Graham, who plays the father of the accused murderer Jamie, appearing in the scene.
The Struggle of a Dream Shot
The landing itself proved to be another challenge. The drone had to descend slowly, which caused it to zigzag due to the wind.
The team had to get the drone perfectly aligned with a moving vehicle on the ground to avoid a disaster.
“We had to follow the drone from the school to the car park,” Lewis explained. “It was all a gamble, but thankfully it worked.”
The Impact of the Shot on the Show’s Success
The episode, which had been under threat at one point, ultimately became one of the most striking moments of Adolescence.
The series, co-written by Graham, has gained attention not only for its compelling story but also for its technical achievements.
It follows the story of Jamie, a 13-year-old boy accused of murdering a classmate.
The show has sparked national discussions about incel culture and misogyny, making it the first streaming series to top the UK’s weekly TV ratings.
The breakthrough shot, captured under immense pressure, has now become a defining moment in Adolescence—a testament to the determination of the creative team and the challenges faced in creating such a groundbreaking piece of television.
Now, with all four episodes available to stream on Netflix, the series continues to captivate audiences.