Adolescence isn’t based on a true story, but rather the U.K.’s real-life rise in knife-related crimes among juveniles. Graham revealed during the show’s London premiere that he was inspired by two different crimes — both involving adolescent boys who had allegedly stabbed girls.

Adolescence, a new Netflix series starring and co-written Stephen Graham, barrels into several timely (and uncomfortable) topics, including bullying, misogyny, online radicalization, and "incel" culture.