Adolescence achieves milestone at Bafta TV Awards ceremony
The Bafta TV Awards ceremony saw the hit Netflix drama Adolescence make history by winning a record four awards in a single year. The drama, which sparked national conversations following its release in March 2025, was recognized with top honours including best limited series and acting awards for its cast members Stephen Graham, Owen Cooper, and Christine Tremarco.
Record-breaking wins for Adolescence at Bafta TV Awards
Adolescence dominated the Bafta TV Awards, securing four prizes and setting a new record for the most wins by a single show in one ceremony. Among the acting accolades, 16-year-old Owen Cooper became the youngest ever winner of the best supporting actor award for his portrayal of a boy accused of murdering a female classmate. Cooper’s award adds to his growing list of honours, which already includes an Emmy, Golden Globe, National Television, Royal Television Society, and Actor Awards.
In his acceptance speech, Cooper paid tribute to the Beatles, quoting John Lennon: “You won’t get anything unless you have the vision to imagine it.” He emphasized three keys to success: obsession, a dream, and the Beatles.
Stephen Graham won best leading actor for his role as Cooper’s on-screen father, marking his first Bafta win after seven nominations. Graham encouraged young viewers to pursue acting and highlighted the importance of storytelling. He also referenced the Beatles in his speech, saying, “All we need is love.”
Christine Tremarco received the award for best supporting actress for her role as Cooper’s mother, completing the trio of acting honours for the drama.
Other notable winners at the Bafta TV Awards
In addition to Adolescence, several other programmes and performers were recognized at the ceremony:
- The Celebrity Traitors won best reality programme and was the most-watched show of the previous year with over 15 million viewers. Host Claudia Winkleman dedicated the award to the cast for their dignity and passion. Alan Carr’s participation earned him the most memorable TV moment of the year, an award voted on by the public.
- Last One Laughing, a Prime Video production, won best entertainment programme. Bob Mortimer received the Bafta for best entertainment performance for his role in the show.
- Steve Coogan won best actor in a comedy for How Are You? It’s Alan (Partridge), emphasizing the importance of comedy in difficult times.
- Katherine Parkinson was named best comedy actress for her role in the family sitcom Here We Go.
- Amandaland won best scripted comedy, four years after its predecessor Motherland received the same award.
- Narges Rashidi won best leading actress for portraying Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe in BBC One’s drama Prisoner 951. Rashidi dedicated her award to Zaghari-Ratcliffe and her family, praising their resilience and courage.
- ITV’s Code of Silence won best drama. The show featured Rose Ayling-Ellis as a deaf woman who aids police through lip reading.
- Gaza: Doctors Under Attack won the current affairs prize. The documentary was initially pulled by the BBC over impartiality concerns but later aired on Channel 4. The film’s producer and reporter spoke about the challenges faced and thanked Channel 4 for broadcasting the documentary.
- Netflix’s Grenfell: Uncovered won best single documentary, focusing on the 2017 Grenfell Tower fire tragedy.
- EastEnders was named best soap, Scam Interceptors won best daytime show, and Go Back To Where You Came From received the factual entertainment prize.
Lifetime and special awards
Dame Mary Berry, former judge on The Great British Bake Off, received the Bafta Fellowship, the highest lifetime achievement honour, at age 91. She expressed gratitude for the award and paid tribute to her late son William.
Financial expert Martin Lewis was honoured with the Special Award. He shared an emotional speech reflecting on his personal struggles and dedication to consumer journalism, which he credited for giving him a voice.
