Ashley Walters says Adolescence role made him 'draw back' his son's screen time
Adolescence star Ashley Walters has said the hit Netflix series has led him to reduce his son's screen time.
The 42-year-old plays DI Luke Bascombe in the series, which examines so-called incel (involuntary celibate) culture which has led to misogyny online and bullying using social media, prompting a national conversation around internet safety.
In an interview with Men's Health UK, Walters said: "(As parents) we're really about uplifting and pushing the things that they love.
"He's (his son) an animator, so he has a lot of animation software on his iPad and spends his time doing that. But sometimes, he's not animating when we think he is.
"We've been very conscious about that and drawing back on his screen time. Half the week, he can't even touch his device.
"Then actually, it's about me stepping in as a dad and saying, 'let's go fishing, let's do more stuff', so he doesn't want to be on there as much as he is.
"No-one wants to be the ogre parent that comes in and goes, 'all right, that's it, everything off', I don't want them to feel like they're not the same as their friends.
"You get caught up in all of that stuff as a parent, but I feel like around the world this show has allowed parents, to go, 'f*** that shit, Adolescence says this could happen, now we're going to start having this conversation'.
"I think that's a good thing."
The crime drama, written by Jack Thorne and Stephen Graham, follows a boy accused of killing a girl in his class.
This Is England star Graham plays Eddie Miller, the father of 13-year-old Jamie, played by newcomer Owen Cooper, who sees armed police burst into his home to arrest his son.
Eddie is then chosen as Jamie's appropriate adult, accompanying him at the police interview and learning the extent of what his son is accused of doing.
Walters said he would "love to" return to the show for a second series, but he thinks it will be "completely different characters with a completely different story" if that does happen.
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RTÉ News
6 hours ago
- RTÉ News
Ashley Walters says Adolescence role made him 'draw back' his son's screen time
Adolescence star Ashley Walters has said the hit Netflix series has led him to reduce his son's screen time. The 42-year-old plays DI Luke Bascombe in the series, which examines so-called incel (involuntary celibate) culture which has led to misogyny online and bullying using social media, prompting a national conversation around internet safety. In an interview with Men's Health UK, Walters said: "(As parents) we're really about uplifting and pushing the things that they love. "He's (his son) an animator, so he has a lot of animation software on his iPad and spends his time doing that. But sometimes, he's not animating when we think he is. "We've been very conscious about that and drawing back on his screen time. Half the week, he can't even touch his device. "Then actually, it's about me stepping in as a dad and saying, 'let's go fishing, let's do more stuff', so he doesn't want to be on there as much as he is. "No-one wants to be the ogre parent that comes in and goes, 'all right, that's it, everything off', I don't want them to feel like they're not the same as their friends. "You get caught up in all of that stuff as a parent, but I feel like around the world this show has allowed parents, to go, 'f*** that shit, Adolescence says this could happen, now we're going to start having this conversation'. "I think that's a good thing." The crime drama, written by Jack Thorne and Stephen Graham, follows a boy accused of killing a girl in his class. This Is England star Graham plays Eddie Miller, the father of 13-year-old Jamie, played by newcomer Owen Cooper, who sees armed police burst into his home to arrest his son. Eddie is then chosen as Jamie's appropriate adult, accompanying him at the police interview and learning the extent of what his son is accused of doing. Walters said he would "love to" return to the show for a second series, but he thinks it will be "completely different characters with a completely different story" if that does happen.
Irish Independent
10 hours ago
- Irish Independent
Today's top TV and streaming choices: Death in the Desert, The Bourne Identity and The Buccaneers
An Ghig Mhór RTÉ One, 8pm Songwriter and musician Rónán Ó Snodaigh steps up to help five-piece band Leevy from the Múscraí Gaeltacht organise a major gig. In 1979, British nurse Helen Smith was found dead in suspicious circumstances after falling from a balcony in Saudi Arabia. Here, director Keely Winstone uses previously classified government documents to explore whether the truth was covered up at the time. Hell for Leather: The Story of Gaelic Football RTÉ One, 9.35pm The legendary Mick O'Connell takes centre stage this week, expounding his own legacy as well as the future of Gaelic football. Also profiled is Sister Pauline Gibbons, whose pioneering spirit in the 1970s helped pave the way for female stars such as Louise Ní Mhuircheartaigh, Juliet Murphy and Noelle Healy. The Bourne Identity TG4, 9.30pm Smash-hit adaptation of Robert Ludlum's novel, the first in a blockbusting franchise. Matt Damon stars as a mysterious assassin who is suffering from amnesia. Murderer Behind The Mask Prime Video, streaming now True crime isn't just the purview of Netflix, you know, and this Prime Video offering about Elaine O'Hara and Graham Dwyer hits particularly close to home. It highlights how An Garda Síochana meticulously pieced together the truth, turning an overlooked case into one of Ireland's most haunting murder trials. Back in September 2013, the remains of childcare worker O'Hara were discovered in the Dublin mountains. Initially believed to be a suicide, her case took a twisted tangent when fishermen stumbled upon crucial evidence leading to Dwyer, a respected architect who lived in Foxrock with his wife and kids. Beneath his carefully crafted facade lurked a secret life fuelled by a dark stabbing obsession, revealed through his disturbing text exchanges with O'Hara. Over the course of two 45-minute instalments, this Wag Entertainment-produced series purports to uncover how the investigation unfolded and the tragic story behind Elaine's murder. The Waterfront Netflix, streaming now From the makers of Dawson's Creek and Scream, we have this deliciously ridiculous number inspired by true events. It centres on the Buckley family, who have ruled Havenport, North Carolina, for decades. Now, with their patriarch, Harlan (Holt McCallany), recovering from multiple heart attacks (not helped by his predilection for impromptu punching sessions with his son), they resort to drug smuggling courtesy of a surprising face (belonging to Topher Grace). For more glossy, far-fetched US drama, season three of Manifest is now streaming. The Buccaneers AppleTV+, streaming now Apple's answer to Bridgerton (but with bonus Americans) is here with its second season. Exploring the events leading up to the 2017 Grenfell Tower fire, this heart-rendering documentary reveals decisions by businesses and government that contributed to the tragedy. Somebody Feed Phil Netflix, streaming now This time, Phil visits Amsterdam, Tbilisi, Sydney, Adelaide, Manila, Vegas, Guatemala, San Sebastián and Boston, while enjoying a spot of bone gnawing with Ray Romano and Brad Garrett along the way. The Many Deaths of Nora Dalmasso Netflix, streaming now
Extra.ie
a day ago
- Extra.ie
Ian Bailey's partner reveals his ashes 'weren't even scattered where he wanted'
The former partner of Ian Bailey has revealed the late murder suspect's ashes 'weren't even scattered where he wanted' during a much-publicised memorial ceremony on Friday. Bailey's ashes were spread on the waters off west Cork during a memorial event organised by his sister, Kay Reynolds, at Skeaghanore pier near Ballydehob, overlooking Roaringwater Bay. But Jules Thomas – the Welsh-born artist who was in a relationship with Bailey for decades before ordering him to move out of her house two and a half years before he died – told 'Ian always said that after his death he wanted his ashes scattered into Dunmanus Bay, but I heard they put them into Roaringwater [Bay] – that's on the other side instead. Jules Thomas and Ian Bailey. Pic: Collins Courts 'He always said he wanted them to be scattered into Dunmanus – that's between Mizen and Sheep's Head with Durrus in the corner. He was very specific. Instead, he apparently ended up someplace different.' She added: 'Poor b***er; he wasn't even scattered where he wanted to be in the end.' Ms Thomas was not invited to the private final farewell for her former partner, which was attended by around 30 family members, friends and supporters on Friday, which included filmmaker Jim Sheridan and Bailey's long-time solicitor Frank Buttimer. Jules Thomas. Pic: Collins Courts But she said she probably would not have attended the ceremony even if she had been invited. Ms Thomas explained: 'I was in Dublin seeing my legal team about my High Court case against Netflix and on other business and only got back to Cork late on Thursday night. I was exhausted and probably couldn't have made it even if I had planned to be there.' She described her non-invitation as a way of 'airbrushing me out'. The artist said: 'I supported him through thick and thin for 27 years of emotional hell for both of us. The worst thing that can happen to anyone is to be accused of something like murder, and that is what happened. 'I wasn't going to go anyway; when I threw him out, I finished with Ian and that was that.' Ian Bailey. Pic: Ian Bailey's sister said she did not invite Ms Thomas to Friday's ceremony because she didn't think she would want to attend the event. Ms Reynolds told 'She [Ms Thomas] said he just wasn't in her thoughts, that's what she said, so I didn't think she'd want to come'. However, she paid a warm tribute to her brother's former partner, adding: 'She stuck by him… he wasn't easy, was he? She had been incredible; we know he wasn't easy. And to stand by him all that time was incredible. She certainly had it tough with him.' Meanwhile, Ms Thomas has also revealed she was diagnosed with leukaemia around the time that the controversial Netflix three-part documentary series, Sophie: A Murder in West Cork, came out in 2021. Sophie Toscan du Plantier. Pic: REX/Shutterstock In her ongoing action against the streaming giant, she said the widely seen series turned her into a 'social pariah' and included 'glaring inaccuracies, fabrications and falsehoods'. She also alleges filming was carried out on her property without her permission. Ms Thomas is suing Netflix and its production company, Lightbox Media, for injurious falsehood, infliction of emotional suffering and negligence. The artist also revealed she had known she had leukaemia for more than two years before she told her daughters. Jules Thomas. Pic: Hell's Kitchen/Barbara McCarthy via Sky Studios She said: 'I knew they would be devastated, so I wrote each of them letters I posted at the same time to tell them. I waited over two years because I couldn't bring myself to tell them. I knew they would be so upset. 'I just couldn't give my three beautiful girls that worry and upset, I kept it to myself for as long as I could. Eventually, I decided they should know, so I wrote letters at the same time to each of my daughters to tell them.' Around 250 people in Ireland are diagnosed with the same form of incurable, slow-growing blood cancer affecting the blood and bone marrow, chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, every year. Earlier this week, Ms Thomas travelled to Dublin to discuss the next phase of her High Court case with her legal team, which includes the high-profile solicitor Gerald Kean and leading senior counsel Michael O'Higgins. Ms Thomas said: 'I went utterly downhill watching the Netflix documentary., my brain was in total turmoil, I couldn't sleep, all my energy sapped away. What it showed, watched by millions of viewers around the world, was a shoddy home, nothing like mine, a rundown, shabby place, not clean.' She said this followed 'all the worry and isolation' following the murder of French film producer Sophie Toscan du Plantier, and the emergence of her former partner as the chief suspect in the unsolved killing. Ms Thomas said that, on top of 'the court cases with constant media attention for decades', she also had to endure 'the emotional burnout of living with a man like Ian Bailey. No wonder I was getting shingles due to exhaustion with all my defences constantly down.' She went to her GP in the summer of 2021, who prescribed anti-viral medication for shingles. Ms Thomas added: 'I was utterly exhausted all the time. My doctor referred me to a consultant in Cork who carried out tests, and the results came back confirming I had chronic lymphocytic leukaemia. 'It took a while for that to register the news. The specialist asked if I had been under a lot of stress, and I said: 'Oh yes, unbelievable stress and for years and years.' To be honest, it didn't surprise me that my body was caving in from it all.' Ms Thomas said she has not had blood transfusions and is treating her illness mainly with homoeopathy, which stimulates healing responses in affected parts of her body. 'It's slowly creeping up, but I am feeling okay at the moment,' she added. 'There's no place for stop in my character; I have to keep cracking on, and I hardly ever sit down. But when my immune system is down and I get the signal I am doing too much, I try to take it easy.' She also believes the stress of the unsolved murder contributed to her former partner's death. Ian Bailey died in January 2024 at the age of 66 after suffering several heart attacks that Ms Thomas says were brought on by his 'chronically unhealthy lifestyle'. She told 'He drank himself to death and took drugs to block out the hell he was living after denying all those years that he committed the murder and was not believed.' Ms Thomas has always protested that her partner of 30 years was innocent of the country's most notorious unsolved murder. This is despite the fact that Bailey had been violent to her on several occasions; Ms Thomas was hospitalised on two occasions after drink-fuelled beatings, which she described as 'lashing out, which he deeply regretted afterwards'. She said Bailey was consumed by the need to prove his innocence in the unsolved murder, which she says she knew 'he had nothing to do with'. Ms Thomas said: 'They had not a shred of evidence that we had anything to do with that terrible murder.' Whilst the private get-together to say goodbye to Ian Bailey 18 months after his death, involving poetry, music and some prayers, took place on Friday, Ms Thomas returned to her remote cottage and extensive gardens outside Schull here she busily potted plants to sell along with her evocative west Cork oils and prints at Schull market today. Despite her leukaemia diagnosis, the artist says she feels well and is full of hope her name will eventually be cleared 'once and for all'. She added: 'I just want the truth, and nothing more, after so many falsehoods to come out at last. I want that above all. 'I am not thinking much about my illness; something has to get you in the end. Our luck runs out at some time, and our bodies give up, and I think it's best not to dwell on that and keep going.'
