This 96% RT BritBox Crime Drama Is as Hard To Watch as ‘Adolescence’ Is, but Also Just as Gripping

admin-cdn6 October، 2025

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This 96% RT BritBox Crime Drama Is as Hard To Watch as 'Adolescence' Is, but Also Just as Gripping

Adolescence has captured audiences worldwide for its raw portrayal of sensitive issues. It takes such a taboo subject that, before it aired, was often pushed under the carpet, ignored, and has placed it at the forefront of so many conversations. This gritty realism is a common theme among British dramas, but not many do it in such a powerful way. However, BritBox drama Sherwood matches Adolescence in its unshakable approach to relevant social issues and the harsh reality of life. Both shows have that instantaneous tangibility that makes the subject matter pertinent but also deeply emotive and difficult to watch.

Sherwood is set in a small, intimate village located on the outskirts of the famous Sherwood Forest. It is purposefully ordinary, which makes it feel relatable to the audience and allows for a stirring response even if the nuances of the situation aren’t relatable. Both shows begin in the midst of the inciting incident and ignore context in favor of creating a disorienting viewing experience. The situation unfolds in real time, and there is a huge amount of tension and angst in the collective response to such tragic events. Sherwood is one of the only shows that matches the stark brutality of teen killers and the impact it has on a community.

‘Sherwood’ Is Inspired By True Events

David Morrissey as DCS Ian St Clair walks through a field in Sherwood.Image via BBC

Sherwood is inspired by true events that occurred in Nottinghamshire in 2004, when a trade unionist and hairdresser were both killed. The show itself is set in the distant aftermath of the miners’ strikes, a major moment of industrial action that took place in the UK during the mid-80s. The nuances of the strikes that are important to understand the narrative are outlined, but the show’s focus isn’t on the small details of history; instead, it takes a much more personal and human approach. Immediately, this is evident, as the show places viewers at the center of the action and lets the specifics of the circumstance emerge naturally. Much like Adolescence, Sherwood doesn’t waste time on setup and allows the rich, vibrant characters and the way they interact with each other to lead the narrative.

There is a clear divide that persists in the community, birthed from the miners’ strikes between those who joined the picket line (those who decided not to work in protest of proposed Government action) and those who continued to work. Despite the industrial action ending decades ago, which resulted in the Government closing numerous mines across the UK, there is still undeniable tension and feelings of betrayal from either side. Those who carried on working at the time, are now referred to as scabs, which is often heckled by characters in Sherwood and presents that sense of disloyalty felt by the strikers towards those who didn’t support the cause. All this fosters a bubbling sense of tension that culminates in the first murder.

‘Sherwood’ Tackles Masculinity in the Same Way as ‘Adolescence’

The first death in Sherwood comes as a huge surprise, falling at the climax of the first episode. Although the atmosphere of the show, as well as the text at the start of the show explaining the real-world context, highlights that it is a crime drama, there is still a huge emotional impact in the reveal of that initial death. The viewing experience mirrors the shockwaves that travel through the community when the body is found and the victim’s family learn of the truth. The individual who is killed, without giving too much away, is heavily involved in the sense of tribalism surrounding the strikes, and immediately, it is assumed that the death is premeditated and consequently connected to the industrial action years ago. Sherwood does such a great job of positioning the person in the narrative and showing the extensive web of relationships within the community.

Despite this mystery, the killer is quickly obvious due to their weapon of choice, a bow and arrow. In the same way Adolescence doesn’t dwell on whether Jamie (Owen Cooper) is a killer, but instead examines his psyche and motivations, Sherwood’s focus is on the mindset of its attacker, Scott Rowley (Adam Hugill), as well as the thoughts of those close to him who helped socialize and raise him. Rowley is a young lad who is about to be sentenced for an unknown crime, but flees into the forest the day before his hearing. The movements of the antagonists are only one side of the story, as Sherwood explores the aftermath of Scott’s parents discovering what their child is capable of and questioning their own decisions. Even though they did nothing wrong, watching them ruminating on the smallest mistakes is completely heartbreaking to watch. The focus isn’t on the event itself, but instead the human response to tragedy, which remains the driving force of Sherwood.

‘Sherwood’ Is More Than Just a Crime Drama

Sherwood is also able to explore the lingering after-effects of conflict and political action intimately, with its focus on the individual rather than the national consequences. The camera often snakes through houses, showing physically how close the community is, but also representing both sides of the long-standing dispute with care and precision. It transcends the usual suspense thrillers as it prioritizes layered storytelling and rich characterization. Despite this, it still remains grounded in reality due to its connection to a moment of modern history. This means Sherwood manages to avoid sensationalism even when some of the content is extreme and difficult to watch.

Viewers of Adolescence resonated with its unapologetic lens of the truth; it felt invasive and consequently held this sense of universality. Jamie didn’t feel like a unique figure but rather a case study for a national epidemic that has risen due to access to the internet and the extent of content available to young people. Sherwood matches this poignancy but merges a very personal tragedy with a wider issue of nurturing masculinity. It offers a sociopolitical lens into tragedy without becoming too heavily invested in context. What remains is a strikingly bleak portrayal of how death can impact a community in such a palpable and harrowing way. It shows the invisible string between the past and the present, exploring the emotional weight of legacy and loyalty.

Release Date

June 13, 2022