Erin Doherty Explains Why She Agreed to Play Therapist in Netflix Show Adolescence

Erin Doherty, famous for playing Princess Anne in the popular series The Crown, eagerly accepted the role of Briony Ariston, a psychologist in the new Netflix miniseries Adolescence. Actor Stephen Graham contacted Doherty with a voice note about the project, and she was immediately interested in playing the part of a therapist evaluating a 13-year-old boy accused of murder.

Doherty mentioned in a Zoom interview with W magazine that she usually avoids phone calls, so the voice note from Graham was a notable exception. Since its release on March 13, 2025, Adolescence has become a worldwide success on Netflix, breaking streaming records and sparking discussions about social media’s effects and harmful ideas about masculinity.

The impact of the show has extended beyond entertainment. The U.K. Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, even suggested that Adolescence should be shown in schools. Additionally, the show’s writers were invited to Parliament to discuss raising the minimum age for using social media platforms.

Each of the four hour-long episodes of Adolescence was filmed in a single continuous shot. Doherty’s first scene with Owen Cooper, the young actor playing Jamie, was filmed using this technique.

I was just gagging to have my piece of the [one-shot] pie, and it didn’t disappoint. The minute they called action, I could just be Briony. It was so freeing.

The cast rehearsed and filmed two takes each day for five days, and the final version was selected for the show. Doherty felt that this filming style was like returning to her roots in theater, describing it as a wonderful combination of theater and film.

Even though security camera footage suggests Jamie is guilty, Doherty explained that Briony starts the session with hope, aware of the evidence but still wishing for a positive outcome. However, by the end of the session, Briony comes to terms with the reality of the situation. Doherty said that at that point, Briony is saddened by the loss of the potential she had hoped the boy possessed.

To get ready for the role, Doherty contacted her former therapist and studied different therapy methods. She wanted to avoid portraying a typical, one-dimensional psychotherapist and instead aimed to bring more depth to the character.

Doherty shared that she feels she is still in the early stages of her journey in screen acting and is fascinated by the medium. She expressed that there are countless stories, personalities, and aspects of human nature to explore, and she doesn’t want to limit herself to only one type of role.

Looking back at Adolescence, Doherty feels lucky to have been part of a story that has deeply resonated with audiences. She noted that while the subject matter is disturbing, the show highlights a crucial shift: society is finally recognizing the importance of better protecting and supporting the younger generation.

Also Read: Stephen Graham Shares Emotional Fan Encounter and Insights from ‘Adolescence’ Series Experience

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