Kemi Badenoch has once again stirred the pot by repeating a conspiracy theory about the Netflix drama Adolescence. The Tory leader claimed that the show was “based on a real story” involving a non-white boy, but that’s not the case at all.
🤔 What Was Said?
Badenoch shared her theory on GB News, stating that she believed Adolescence was inspired by a real-life crime, with the perpetrator being a non-white boy. However, this claim is far from accurate.
In Adolescence, the drama centres on a white boy who is arrested after a young girl is tragically stabbed to death. But the theory pushed by Badenoch and some commentators, like right-wing figure Ian Miles Cheong, suggests that the show involved a “race swap” of a real-life black murderer, which has been debunked by the show’s creators.
🎬 The Truth from the Creators
Jack Thorne, the creator of Adolescence, quickly set the record straight. Speaking on the News Agents podcast, he said: “Nothing is further from the truth. We’ve made no claims that this is based on any real-life event, and we’re not trying to make a point about race.” Thorne emphasised that the show was about masculinity and trying to explore the issue of violence, not race.
Stephen Graham, who co-created the show with Thorne, added in an interview with Radio Times that his inspiration came from various real-life tragedies, including the murders of young girls in Liverpool and south London. “I just thought, what’s going on? What is this that’s happening?” Graham explained.
💭 What’s the Bigger Picture?
While some have latched on to this baseless conspiracy theory, the creators of Adolescence are clear: the show is a work of fiction, not a retelling of any specific crime. Instead, they aimed to highlight broader societal issues.
Badenoch’s comments highlight how misinformation can spread, but the creators have firmly set the record straight. The real story behind Adolescence is not about race or a specific crime – it’s a reflection on violence and masculinity in today’s world.
You may also like: Watch: Farage’s expenses clip resurfaces as Le Pen is convicted of embezzlement
