Adolescence star becomes a millionaire from money-spinning businesses away from TV

ADOLESCENCE star Ashley Walters has proved himself to be a shrewd businessman after netting himself a million.

Flying Eze can exclusively reveal that the actor, 42, is a secret millionaire thanks to several lucrative side hustles.

Ashley, who plays Detective Inspector Luke Bascombe in the Netflix drama Adolescence, is also a successful entrepreneur.

Having found fame in the 90s with rap band So Solid Crew, Ashley – known back then as Asher D – decided to concentrate on his acting career.

However, in 2012, he and a film producer friend set up a drama school in west London called Kingdom School of Arts.

The school's website reads: “Kingdom School of Arts is a leading part-time drama school established in 2012 by multi award-winning actor, Ashley Walters, and award-winning film producer, Nagajan Modhwad.”

The school, which accepts students following a successful audition, is also combined with a talent agency and a film production company.

According to financial documents, Ashley's personal ‘artistic creation' firm had a turnover of £1,043,723 in 2024 – showing pre-tax profits of £661,630.

And if that's not enough, he has also recently set up a real estate business, called Danash Properties, with his wife Danielle Walters.

Adolescence has gripped the nation since landing on Netflix earlier this month.

The show examines the dangers of knife crime in the UK and follows a schoolboy named Jamie Miller.

Jamie has been arrested for the murder of his classmate and much of the programme focuses on howextreme online forumscanradicalise young people.

Although Ashley starred in projects includingTop BoyandHarlan Coben‘sMissing You,he's now admitted that he was considering leaving the industry before the Adolescence came along.

He toldRadio Times: “It was intense. It was intense …I came into this job personally thinking that I was going toquit acting.

“So before I was like, ‘I’ve had enough'. And obviously I've started directing and I was like, ‘I want to pursue that a bit more, slow down the acting a bit, and eventually phase it out'.

“And Stephen [Graham,] called me and was like, ‘No, you got to come and do this job’.”

The actor also admitted thatthe Adolescence scriptwas so intense, it had him crying “most nights” when he worked on the project.

“So I came, didn't realise how intense it was going to be, but it was so intense. The challenge was great.” he continued.

“I was crying into my script most nights in the apartment, so scared I'm not going to remember the material.”

Meanwhile, Flying Eze told earlier this week how Netflix want a second series of Adolescence.

A TV source said: “Execs are thrilled by the results and acclaim for Adolescence.

“It’s seen as a format that can run and run, at least to a second series if not further, as it could take in a different teen issue each series.

“The topic has resonated with viewers because it taps into parents biggest fear and there’s plenty of scope for more in the same vein.

“Stylistically, the one-take creative approach could become the hallmark of the series. It’s one of the aspects which has got everyone talking.”;