the show proved enormously popular with its target audience from the beginning, with series 1 enjoying an average weekly reach of 1.2 million, and each episode appearing in the top 10 requested programmes on bbc iplayer the day following transmission. series 2 built on this success, with the first episode premiering to 719, 000 viewers. bbc three controller danny cohen (who commissioned the show) noted: "i'm delighted that "coming of age" has been such a hit with young viewers. the writer tim dawson and the young cast are bright emerging stars for the bbc." despite this, the show often receives a poor reaction from television critics. writing about the first episode, "the daily telegraph"'s "culture" magazine was negative: "crudeness abounds... but neither wit nor charm has tagged along for the ride.". harry venning in "the stage"