And yet, “Adolescence,” launched in March 2025, has just reached an impressive milestone with 141.2 million views, according to the latest rankings released by Netflix.

This figure puts it ahead of season 4 of “Stranger Things” (140.7 million), an unexpected achievement for a production that is far removed from the conventions of the fantasies or thrillers that tend to tally up the most users.

The miniseries had already zoomed to renown in April by climbing to ninth place in the ranking of the most popular English-language series of all time on Netflix, surpassing the performance of the third season of “Stranger Things.”

This momentum shows no signs of slowing down, as “Adolescence” has even surpassed the ratings of the fourth season of the series starring Millie Bobby Brown. To date, season 4 of “Stranger Things” has accumulated 140.7 million views, a threshold now surpassed by the drama miniseries.

“We’re overwhelmed for you to embrace us the way you have,” said Stephen Graham during Gotham TV Awards à New York, after the miniseries picked up three prizes.

“This was a small, colloquial piece that was made with love, respect, humility and dignity, and we treated the subject with … care and conviction.”

The miniseries could also garner several nominations at the upcoming Emmy Awards, which are set to be announced on July 15.

Co-produced by Plan B, the company co-founded by Brad Pitt, “Adolescence” follows the story of a 13-year-old boy arrested for the brutal murder of a classmate. Behind this fictional story, however, the co-creator has said that he was inspired by several real-life tragic cases in the United Kingdom:

“Where it came from, for me, is there was an incident in Liverpool, a young girl, and she was stabbed to death by a young boy. I just thought, why?” explained Graham to Radio Times.

“Then there was another young girl in south London who was stabbed to death at a bus stop.

“And there was this thing up North, where that young girl Brianna Ghey was lured into the park by two teenagers, and they stabbed her. I just thought, what’s going on? What is this that’s happening?”

In first place, the first season of the series “Wednesday” starring Jenna Ortega maintains its lead with 252.1 million views, topping the list of the most-watched English-language series on Netflix.