Co-creator Stephen Graham has officially confirmed thematic connections between the Netflix limited series "Adolescence" and the new Apple TV+ crime thriller "Nocturne." Both series, featuring Graham in prominent roles, delve into the devastating ripple effects of violent crimes.
"Adolescence," which debuted on Netflix in 2025, centered on a young boy's fatal stabbing of a classmate and the subsequent online radicalization of men. The series garnered significant attention, even leading to a UK government initiative that made it freely available in high schools.
Graham returns a year later in Apple TV+'s "Nocturne," this time portraying Jurek Walter, the calculated architect behind the disappearance of the Frost siblings. While the nature of the crimes differs, Graham explained in a recent interview that viewers who appreciated "Adolescence" will find familiar ground in "Nocturne."
"Nocturne" is based on Lars Kepler's novel "The Sandman," which explores how Jurek Walter's crimes not only affect his victims but also their families and friends. Graham noted this parallels "Adolescence," which, despite its focus on online radicalization, also deeply examined the impact of a stabbing on its community and the victim's family, highlighting Jamie's parents' harassment and his sister's struggle to form connections.
"That’s an interesting parallel. I think there’s a lot in there thematically that matches with 'Adolescence.' It is that kind of impact of what a horrific thing can have on a family, specifically if you look at it in the context of Jonah and Saga," Graham stated, referring to characters linked to his own in "Nocturne." Jurek's past actions significantly shape Jonah (Liev Schreiber) and Saga (Zazie Beetz) as they are introduced in the series.
Beyond the focus on familial and communal trauma, Graham also pointed to a shared psychological undercurrent between the two shows. "I think it comes down to that kind of aspect of humanity where we want to know what it is that makes people tick," Graham shared. "Isn’t the context of humanity, trying to have an understanding for why people do things and trying to learn from those mistakes?"
The first two episodes of "Nocturne" are currently available for streaming on Apple TV+, with new episodes releasing weekly on Fridays until December 25, 2026.