Adolescence is on Netflix and it has taken the world by storm as it explores the stark reality of the impact on social media on the youth of today. The four-part crime drama follows young teenager Jamie Miller (played by Owen Cooper) and how his family were left heartbroken after seeing damning evidence of him stabbing a fellow pupil.

Throughout the series, Jamie's motive behind the frenzied attack came to light as it transpired he was a victim of online bullying. Katie Leonard, the murder victim, was one of those who had posted comments about him.

During Jamie's interview at the police station, it was revealed he too had made degrading comments about women on social media. Later, during the meeting with his psychologist, he was asked to share his thoughts on women and masculinity.

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The theme of Incel culture is prevalent throughout the series, and the term is understood today to carry negative connotations. However, Rachael Leggett, an expert in forensic psychology, spoke exclusively to Reach titles about how its origins were positive.

She explained how the term Incel was actually created by a woman, and how over time it turned into something extremely dangerous.

Commenting on Jamie's meeting with psychologist Briony Ariston (Erin Doherty), Rachael said she understood why Briony was interested in "unlocking that misogyny thread, given the Incel themes".

She explained: "Not many people know this whole 'manosphere' - the history of it is incredible.

"It was actually developed by a woman in the 90s, she struggled to get a boyfriend and there were these forums where it was just like Lonely Hearts.

"People can come and talk about their struggles, but it's basically supportive. Fast-forward to 20 years later, she hears in the media Elliot Rodger has done this mass shooting and he's got this manifesto and she was absolutely mortified.

"Because the term Incel, which she developed, was never meant to be a negative thing. Because of the misogyny, it's become a really horrific place for women and it was never meant to be like that."

Elliot Rodger was a mass murderer who was responsible for the 2014 Isla Vista killings.

In May 2014, he killed six people and injured fourteen others. Before his planned attack, he had uploaded to a video announcing his intention to "punish" women for their lack of interest in him.

Rodger has since become a well-known name amongst Incel and manosphere communities.

However, it was a woman called Alana (she has never given her full name) who initially coined the term, having started a website for lonely people struggling to find love.

She was living in Toronto, Canada, and started the website, Alana's Involuntary Celibacy Project, describing the site as "a friendly place".

"It definitely wasn't a bunch of guys blaming women for their problems. That's a pretty sad version of this phenomenon that's happening today. Things have changed in the last 20 years," she told Radio 5 Live's Anna Foster.

"The word [Incel] used to mean anybody of any gender who was lonely, had never had sex or who hadn't had a relationship in a long time. But we can't call it that anymore."

Rachael went on to praise Adolescence for raising public awareness of the dangers of Incel culture.

Although the series does not explicitly label Jamie as a follower of Incel beliefs, it is implied that he shares a similar mindset.

Adolescence is on Netflix