Netflix UK Scripted Chief Bristles At “TV Tourists” Barb After Success Of ‘Adolescence’

Netflix has been quick to respond to criticism that the streamer behaved like a “TV tourist” in commissioning hit series Adolescence.

In one of the talking points of the Edinburgh TV Festival, Channel 4’s news and current affairs boss Louisa Compton said the network was “proud parents” of Adolescence because of how the network gave opportunities to co-creators Jack Thorne and Stephen Graham early in their careers.

“We’ve developed and nurtured the talent that has allowed Netflix to come in as TV tourists and effectively commission [Adolescence],” said Compton. “Without us, that wouldn’t have happened.”

Speaking during an Adolescence masterclass, Netflix’s Mona Qureshi was asked for her response to Compton’s comments. “My initial response is consternation,” said the streamer’s UK director of scripted series. The former BBC executive added: “I don’t think I’m a tourist — I’ve been around.”

She added: “Nothing about where I am, where we sit, and the conversations we had about Adolescence comes out of anything other than us, within the UK network team, being solely about finding shows and speaking to our local audience.

“We are all part of the same ecosystem. Adolescence simply came out of something which is us reading a script and responding to this fantastic creative team and just being utterly compelled by delivering from the get-go… No one’s thinking global, let’s make something globally. It’s just about being in tune with what the local market wants, and what we as commissioners feel inspires and compels us.”

Speaking during the same masterclass, writer Thorne said: “I started at Channel 4. I was lucky enough to get my first shows away at Channel 4 … I’m really grateful for Channel 4, but I’m excited that Netflix is moving into this space.”

“I think the real problem we’ve got in TV at the moment is a certain conservatism that’s crept in because of the recession,” he added. “I think any broadcaster that’s prepared to take a risk, a wild swing, which is what this show was, it should be applauded for it.”

Adolescence is Netflix’s second most-watched English-language show of all time. Executives from UK broadcasters have previously said that the show would have been too expensive for them to make without co-production money.