Every episode of Netflix’s Adolescence is impressive, but episode 3 really stands out as a showcase of talent, thanks to newcomers Owen Cooper and Erin Doherty. Interestingly, there’s a genuine ‘mistake’ in that episode that ended up being one of the most heartfelt and authentic moments.
In this episode, we dive into an interview between 13-year-old Jamie, who’s accused of murder, and clinical psychologist Briony Ariston. The runtime is about 50 minutes, but the actual scene featuring both characters runs approximately 44 minutes straight, without cuts. It’s worth noting that this was Owen’s first time on set, as he had no prior professional acting experience.
About 10 minutes in, there’s a moment where Jamie yawns while Briony is speaking. It turns out that was actually Owen yawning due to being tired from a long shoot. Erin Doherty quickly adapted and responded in character, keeping the scene on track. Instead of scrapping the take, she improvised with the line, “Am I boring you?” This unexpected tweak caught Owen off guard and made him smile, resulting in an authentic moment that was never in the script.
Director Phil Barantini confirmed that Jamie’s yawn was completely unscripted, occurring during the scene’s final take. He praised Erin’s quick thinking and Owen’s natural reaction, which brought extra depth to their interaction. Co-creator Jack Thorne lauded Erin’s talent, highlighting her generosity in embracing spontaneous moments and enhancing her co-stars’ performances.
Owen later shared his thoughts on this improvised moment during a TV appearance, expressing how incredible it felt because it wasn’t planned at all. The yawn and Jamie’s smile at Briony in that scene became one of the episode’s standout highlights, showcasing the adaptability and presence of both actors.
