The multi BAFTA Award-winning television screenwriter and playwright behind the smash-hit Netflix series ‘Adolescence’ has spoken warmly about his years living in Luton, describing the town as a place with a spirit that “made sense” to him at the start of his career.
Speaking on The Romesh Ranganathan Show podcast, Newbury-born Jack Thorne reflected on his decision to spend eight formative years in the town, saying the experience left a lasting impression while establishing himself as a writer of iconic noughties Channel 4 hits ‘Shameless’, ‘Skins’ and the ‘This Is England’ sequel series, which he co-created with Shane Meadows.
“I lived in Luton for a long time. When I was starting my career as a writer, I lived in Luton for eight years and I loved Luton,” he said.
“It’s a tricky place, there’s lots of things that are tricky within it, but I thought there was a spirit to the place that sort of made sense to me.”
Thorne, who was awarded with an Honorary Doctor of Arts in 2019 by the University of Bedfordshire for his outstanding contribution to theatre and literature, contrasted his affection for Luton with his increasingly bleak view of life in the capital, where he lives now, describing London as “cruel to itself” and full of people worn down by financial pressure and work they do not enjoy.
“I think London’s a bit sad. There’s a lot of quite unhappy people,” he said, adding that many are “paying exorbitant prices to do jobs they don’t want to do” and are trapped in a rent spiral that spreads unhappiness.
The comments will strike a chord with many in Luton, a town often portrayed negatively but fiercely defended by those who know it well. Thorne’s connection to the area runs deeper than residency alone. He later drew directly on his experiences by writing Luton?, an autobiographical stage monologue exploring identity, belonging and the realities of life in the town.
Back in 2010, Thorne told Director’s Notes about the things he loved while in Luton, saying: “Wetherspoons, I won’t hear a bad word said about it. It has a library. That and People’s Park. You wander around a place thinking ‘can I live here? What’s it got?’ And it was those two places. I’ve since discovered the bells in the pavement [in Bury Park] which I think are also brilliant”.
Since his years in Bedfordshire, Thorne has become one of Britain’s most influential writers across stage and screen. His theatre credits include Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, co-written with J K Rowling and John Tiffany, which has won multiple Olivier and Tony awards, as well as Hope, Let the Right One In, After Life and The Motive and the Cue.
On television, he has gone on to create or write acclaimed dramas including National Treasure, Kiri, The Fades and the BBC and HBO adaptation of His Dark Materials. His film work includes Wonder, The Aeronauts and War Book.
On the Romesh Ranganathan Show, Thorne talks about the global impact of Adolescence and working closely with Stephen Graham. Jack opens up about social anxiety, imposter syndrome and how appearing on Desert Island Discs led to his autism diagnosis. They also discuss incel culture, kindness online, shifting power in the TV industry, Jack’s love of E.T. and work life balance.
But despite his global success, Thorne’s reflections suggest his years in Luton remain central to how he sees the world and his work. For a town often overlooked in cultural conversations, his comments serve as a reminder that Luton has played a quiet but meaningful role in shaping one of Britain’s most celebrated modern writers.
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