Ed Sheeran is stepping into the world of cinematic experimentation with One Shot With Ed Sheeran, a new Netflix special directed by Adolescence creator Philip Barantini. Premiering November 21, the short film captures Sheeran’s spontaneous musical journey through New York City, performed and filmed entirely in one continuous take.

Barantini, who stunned audiences earlier this year with his Emmy-winning limited series Adolescence, brings his trademark one-shot style to Sheeran’s project. Known for creating high-tension, real-time storytelling, the director first made waves with Boiling Point (2021), a single-take feature set in the chaos of a London restaurant. That film evolved into a 2023 series that cemented Barantini as one of the most innovative directors in contemporary British cinema.

With Adolescence, he pushed the technique even further, chronicling the story of a 13-year-old boy arrested for murder through four unbroken episodes. The show swept eight Emmy Awards, including Best Directing and Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series. Now, Barantini applies that same kinetic approach to something far lighter in tone but equally ambitious: following Ed Sheeran through the unpredictable streets of New York.

Unlike Barantini’s previous works, which were meticulously scripted and rehearsed, One Shot With Ed Sheeran is rooted in spontaneity. The film tracks the musician as he walks through Manhattan performing on sidewalks, in subway cars, and at random city spots. According to Netflix’s description, the project captures “impromptu performances on bustling sidewalks and subway cars, and intimate interactions with fans and passersby,” highlighting the “pandemonium and excitement” that follow the singer wherever he goes.

Though he’s one of the world’s biggest pop stars, Sheeran’s return to busking feels natural. Earlier this year, he and Jimmy Fallon surprised commuters at the Rockefeller Center subway station, performing “Azizam” and Chappell Roan’s “Pink Pony Club.” Disguised at first, Sheeran was quickly recognized, surrounded by fans who sang along. It was a viral moment that seemed to preview the raw, unfiltered energy One Shot With Ed Sheeran aims to capture.

The special arrives after a prolific two years for Sheeran, who released two albums in 2023 - Subtract and Autumn Variations, and wrapped his Mathematics world tour in late 2024. In early 2025, he began teasing new music collaborations while also hinting at a shift toward smaller, more intimate creative projects. One Shot With Ed Sheeran appears to reflect that direction, focusing less on spectacle and more on authenticity.

For Barantini, the project continues his partnership with Netflix, which also distributed Adolescence internationally and is reportedly developing new one-take dramas with the director. In his Emmy acceptance speech earlier this year, Barantini thanked the streamer for “trusting us with this mad idea.” One Shot With Ed Sheeran seems to be the latest of those experiments.

As of October 2025, the special marks Sheeran’s first major screen project since his Disney+ documentary The Sum of It All. With Barantini behind the camera and New York City as the backdrop, One Shot With Ed Sheeran promises an unscripted look at one of pop’s most recognizable voices, capturing both the chaos and simplicity of music meeting everyday life.