Ending of 'best drama' on Netflix explained after hidden detail leaves viewers 'broken'

Netflix’s new drama has been widely championed by viewers online, but there's a hidden detail in the final scene that you may have missed.

Released on March 13, the four-part series features award-winning actors Stephen Graham (Venom) and Ashley Walters (Top Boy). It is also co-written by Graham and Jack Thorne who have worked together on a previous drama product titled Help.

Stephan Graham stars in the series (Netflix)

There are several strategies implemented in this drama that make it stand out - one notable feature being its continuous one-shot style. This filming strategy means that the camera never cuts off. Around 10 takes were created per episode which lasted about an hour before a final decision was made on the final cut.

This style seems to have stuck with viewers and creates more of a live and realistic effect given the gravity of the nature of the series.

Titled Adolescence, the drama follows the story of a 12-year-old boy called Jamie Miller (Owen Cooper) who has been arrested for being accused of murdering a teenage girl called Katie. The series opens with a raiding of the Miller’s home, where Graham plays Jamie’s dad, Eddie.

From the raid, it’s clear the family are shocked at Jamie being arrested as the family are adamant the police officers, one of whom Walters plays DI Luke Bascombe, have entered the wrong house.

Screams, cries, and confusion are all emotions displayed by the Miller family reacting to the police raid, further provoking emotions from the audience.

But the ending of Adolescence has a hidden detail you may want to know.

Ending of Adolescence explained

The final episode ends with the song 'Through the Eyes of a Child' by Aurora playing. The lyrics include: “World is covered by our trails. Scars we cover up with paint. Watch them preach in sour lies. I would rather see this world through the eyes of a child.”

While the lyrics may seem fitting for the nature of the series, there’s another layer of meaning behind the track. It turns out that the person singing the version of the song was actually Emilia Holliday, who played the murder victim Katie in Adolescence.

Director Philip Barantini explained to Netflix’s Tudum that once the team learned Emilia could sing they decided they wanted her to perform the song for the last episode.

“Katie is a part of the whole series. Her presence is always there,” he said.

Adolescence has a 100 percent critics score on Rotten Tomatoes (Netflix)

Viewers have heaped praise on Adolescence, with some even labeling it as the 'best drama' on the streaming service.

One user shared on Twitter: “1 set. 2 main actors. No cgi, no music score, no fancy camera cuts.

“Just brilliant screenwriting and astonishing acting skills. This is pure cinema.”

Another typed: “Watching #Adolescence will break you. As a parent, as a human. But it's worth breaking for.”

While a third commented: “My goodness. Just watched the first episode of ‘Adolescence’ on Netflix. Anyone who’s worked in film or tv will know just how unbelievably hard a long tracking shot is to do, let alone for an entire episode… what choreography!”

Adolescence is available to stream on Netflix now.