If you loved Netflix’s gripping drama Adolescence, then you’ll want to queue up A Mother’s Son. The chilling two-part thriller has just landed on the streamer this November.

Originally broadcast across two nights back in 2012, the mini-series comes from writer/creator Chris Lang, known for the hit drama Unforgotten, and it’s every bit as compelling.

Now newly available to stream – although likely only for a limited time – A Mother’s Son is finding a fresh audience who are talking about its haunting story and powerhouse ensemble cast. 

Here’s the low-down on A Mother’s Son: the plot, the episodes, the impressive line-up, and where it was filmed.

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What is it about?

The crime drama centres on the murder of schoolgirl Lorraine Mullary in the seemingly sleepy Suffolk market town of East Lee. 

Mum Rosie – adjusting to life with a newly blended family with four kids to juggle – begins to suspect her teenage son Jamie’s movements on the night of Lorraine’s death. When she finds a blood-stained pair of trainers hidden in his bedroom, she begins to fear his involvement. 

The police investigation rumbles on in parallel while the relationships in their recently-merged family become fraught. Jamie looks for support from his father David, but Rosie cannot rid herself of the nagging notion that her son could be guilty of a terrible crime. 

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Cast & key performances

The cast is a strong draw. Hermione Norris takes the lead as Rosie Cutler – a mother who fears her boy Jamie might have killed a local girl in the woods. 

Her husband (step-father to Jamie) – Ben Banks – is played by Martin Clunes. Clunes, better known for lighter fare, shows serious dramatic chops here. 

Coming in also is Nicola Walker as DC Sue Upton, the police detective tasked with unraveling the murder. Walker brings a measured yet intense presence to the series. 

Additional cast includes Paul McGann as the ex-husband David, Alexander Arnold as Jamie, Ellie Bamber as Olivia ‘Livvy’, and a supporting ensemble of strong UK TV talent. 

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Reviews & reception

When the series first aired, it was met with positive reviews: The Guardian described it as “tense, absorbing, thrilling” while The Telegraph praised it as “a taut, psychological thriller that will have left every parent who watched it feeling uneasy, maybe even culpable.”

More recently, media outlets note its resurgence as a “compelling mystery drama” now on Netflix, with one headline calling it “almost a hidden gem” and drawing comparisons with shows like Broadchurch. 

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Filming locations

Although set in the fictional town of East Lee, the drama was filmed around the actual Suffolk seaside town of Southwold and the nearby village of Walberswick.  The coastal scenery offers a striking contrast – idyllic on the surface, uneasy beneath. Local residents were even used as extras to enhance authenticity. 

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Episodes & streaming details

There are just two episodes, each running around ~45 minutes (originally designed for broadcast with ad breaks).  According to recent reports, the series dropped on Netflix on 2 November 2025.

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Why it might appeal if you liked Adolescence

• Both stories deal with young suspects at the heart of serious crimes in tight-knit communities.

• Both explore family dynamics, parental suspicion, blended families, and trust.

• A strong cast of UK actors whose performances elevate the thriller beyond mere plot.

• A short, intense format that makes it easy to binge and immerses you in the atmosphere quickly.