'My girl was stabbed to death like in Adolescence but show has glaring omission' (2025)

Carole Gould was left devastated when her 17-year-old daughter Ellie was stabbed to death by her ex-boyfriend in a jealous rage after she ended their relationship

The mother of a teenager who was brutally murdered by her ex-boyfriend says Netflix’s gripping new drama Adolescence is “a bit one-sided” – but hopes it will spark crucial conversations between parents and their children.

Carole Gould, 54, lost her 17-year-old daughter, Ellie, when she was stabbed to death by Thomas Griffiths, also 17, in 2019. The schoolboy killed Ellie in a jealous rage after she ended their relationship to focus on her studies. He then attempted to stage the scene to make it look like a suicide before calmly returning to school.

Griffiths was sentenced to at least 12 years and six months in prison after pleading guilty to murder at Bristol Crown Court later that year.

Netflix’s Adolescence explores a similar tragedy, telling the story of a 14-year-old boy who kills a girl after she rejects him. The drama delves into themes of toxic masculinity, social media influence, and the disturbing rise of ‘incel’ culture – an online subculture of young men who express hostility towards women.

While the series aims to explore the psychology behind such acts, Carole insists there can never be an “excuse for a violent attack.” “I understand how social media can have a huge influence on people’s lives,” she said. “But when you see the clip of the boy stabbing her – it’s totally premeditated. It’s a violent attack, and there is no excuse for that behaviour.”

The show provides an in-depth look at the accused’s family, highlighting their struggles and grief, but Carole believes the victim’s perspective was sorely lacking. “There is no mention of the victim. It was all about them and their grief,” she said. “If it had been my son, I’d have been devastated for the victim’s family. It would have been good to see that conversation. It felt a bit one-sided.”

Despite her concerns, Carole acknowledges that the series could have a positive impact if it encourages open discussions between parents and children. “I hope a lot of parents will now speak to their children and ask, ‘What are you looking at?’ or ‘How do you feel about that programme?’” she said.

The drama attempts to dissect the killer’s mindset, showing moments with a psychiatrist where he discusses his motivations. But Carole believes that some people are simply wired for violence and that society must not downplay the severity of such crimes.

“Young children know right from wrong,” she said. “We can’t make excuses for male violence. Watching that scene with the psychiatrist was quite alarming. She looked quite scared. He’s a very dangerous young man. Some of that is the wiring in his brain.”

Carole also argues that such behaviour rarely comes out of nowhere. “He must have displayed traits in the home,” she added. “We can’t diminish the crime itself. To be capable of that at age 13 – you’ve got to be a psychopath. Nothing justifies taking someone else’s life.”

While Adolescence has ignited debate, Carole hopes it will serve as a wake-up call for parents and educators to address toxic attitudes before they escalate into real-life tragedies.