People are just realising Adolescence's Ashley Walters was in major music group

Everyone has been talking about Netflix's Adolescence since it hit Netflix this month. But, little you may know, actor Ashley Walters was actually in a major British music group

Over the last few weeks it feels like the entire world has been talking about Adolescence.

The Netflix drama centres on 13-year-old Jamie Miller (portrayed by Owen Cooper) and his world turning upside-down after he's accused of killing a schoolmate.

The show is super impressive, with every instalment famously shot in a single "continuous" take - a dazzling technique that's left audiences gobsmacked.

But, it's not only celebrated for its impeccable execution, as it also delves into themes untackled before in television dramas. Even though it's been a hit with viewers, it looks as though some people are only just realising where they've seen one of its major stars before.

Ashley Walters takes on the role of DI Luke Bascombe in the drama, and made quite an impression with viewers. Netflix fans may recognise him from also starring in Missing You, which was released earlier this year, but he's actually been in our lives for much longer than you may realise.

Ashley is also known by his stage name "Asher D", as he first rose to fame as a member of the UK garage group So Solid Crew. They dominated the UK charts back in 2001 with their second single "21 Seconds", and people can't believe he was in the group.

Videos have gone viral on TikTok after one person said: "Who would have known?" Various clips have been posted of Ashley performing when he was younger, and people have been left totally stunned.

One person wrote: "Is there nothing that man can't do?" Another said: "He's come so far from back in the day. Talent from day one." A third also added: "21 Seconds will never get old."

If you're wondering where else you may have seen the actor, he's also famed for taking on the role of drug dealer Dushane in five series of the British crime drama Top Boy, which ran from 2011 to 2023.

He's also had roles in Grange Hill, Storm Damage, Get Rich or Die Tryin', Hustle, Doctor Who and Bulletproof. Despite his acting success, he actually started his career as a rapper.

Previously, Ashley candidly revealed he was considering quitting acting before landing the role in Adolescence, as he wanted to move behind the camera. It turns out he wasn't too happy with the roles he was being offered after Top Boy.

He told Radio Times: "I was in the mindset of ending my career [in] acting and going more into producing and directing, because it was like, 'Am I getting roles I'm enjoying?'

“As much as I love Top Boy, and the other stuff I've done, once you've played a role for so long, people find it hard to see you as anything else."

But his mind started to change when he was offered the role of DI Luke Bascombe in Stephen Graham’s crime drama Adolescence. He agreed to star alongside the award-winning actor without even reading the script.

He added: "This revived a part of me that was dying a bit. It's taken a real friend of mine, Stephen, to see me outside of the box."