adults playing teenagers

‘Derry Girls’ Is The Coming-of-Age Show That We’ve Desperately Needed

Maggie Habermas, University of Texas at San Antonio

A series about growing up should have Hollywood taking notes.…

April 30, 2022

A picture of faces drawn in a high school notebook

Teen Dramas Like ‘Euphoria’ Can Create Unrealistic Expectations for High School

Jordan Oulela, University of Texas at San Antonio

The glamorization of adult themes and age-inappropriate casting can lead to problematic assumptions made about real life.…

February 16, 2022

Despite Its Millennial Nostalgia, ‘PEN15’ Still Resonates With Gen Z

L.R. Staples, Sarah Lawrence College

In the American comedy series, the supposed gap between the generations is put to the ultimate test as the show's frontrunners play teen versions of themselves.…

August 22, 2021

An illustration of the titular character from Dear Evan Hansen in an article about the musical's upcoming film adaptation. (Illustration by Sonja Vasiljeva, San Jose State University)

Hollywood’s Age-Old Dilemma Meets ‘Dear Evan Hansen’

Mariam Nasief, Columbia University

Ben Platt’s reprisal of his Broadway role in the upcoming film adaptation raises some heads as it continues the surprisingly common occurrence of adults playing high school students.…

June 26, 2021