The show is not based on a singular case, but rather reflects the growing knife crime epidemic in the U.K. As such, the authenticity of each aspect of the show stems from the fact that every single thing seen on screen has happened in some capacity in juvenile crimes;

"Adolescence" on Netflix is inspired by the rise of knife attacks in the United Kingdom. But why did Jamie change his plea to guilty at the end?

Netflix’s gripping new crime drama explores male violence and incel culture in the context of an English school.