Critics condemn race-swapping in Netflix's "Adolescence."

Netflix's series "Adolescence" is facing strong criticism for its decision to cast a white actor as the main character. The show is based on the true story of Hassan Sentamu, a Black man who was sentenced to life in prison for murder. Many viewers are upset about this race-swapping, claiming it is misleading and dishonest. The series features a character named Jamie Miller, played by Owen Cooper. Critics argue that portraying a white teenager as a murderer changes the narrative in a troubling way. They feel that this choice misrepresents the reality of the case, which involves Sentamu, a Ugandan immigrant who moved to London when he was three. The creators of "Adolescence," Jack Thorne and Stephen Graham, have said that the show explores themes of male anger and rage. Even UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer mentioned the series, suggesting it could be discussed in Parliament. However, the backlash continues on social media, with users expressing their frustration. Some commenters, including Irish far-right figure Keith Woods, shared side-by-side images of Miller and Sentamu to highlight the differences. They argue that changing the race of the character shifts the focus from important issues like immigration to toxic masculinity. Several critics have labeled the decision to race-swap as "deeply evil and dishonest." Others claim it unfairly stigmatizes white working-class boys. The debate around the series continues to evoke strong opinions from both supporters and opponents.