Owen Cooper made history at the 2026 BAFTA TV Awards, winning Best Supporting Actor for his breakout role in Adolescence. At just 16, he completed a rare sweep of major honors, adding the BAFTA to his earlier wins at the Primetime Emmy, Golden Globe, Actor Award, and Critics’ Choice.
The win capped an extraordinary run for Adolescence, which premiered just over a year ago and dominated ceremonies worldwide, including the Gotham Awards, Independent Spirit Awards, and Royal Television Society Awards. Cooper’s portrayal of Jamie Miller, a 13‑year‑old accused of murder, earned acclaim for a gripping hour‑long continuous take opposite Erin Doherty, also nominated for the BAFTA TV’s Memorable Moment Award.
On stage, Cooper reflected: “Wow, it’s heavy, that’s to be fair. A year ago, I was presenting an award, and now I’m collecting one, so this is a bit mad. Thank you to BAFTA, thank you to the Adolescence family. In the words of John Lennon, you won’t get anything unless you have the vision to imagine it.” He added: “One, an obsession. Two, a dream. And three, the Beatles.”
Cooper triumphed over Ashley Walters, Fehinti Balogun, Joshua McGuire, Paddy Considine, and Rafael Mathe. His co‑star Christine Tremarco also won Best Supporting Actress, further cementing Adolescence as a cultural phenomenon. Netflix’s four‑part limited series, co‑created by Jack Thorne and Stephen Graham, has become a record‑breaking success, with Cooper’s raw talent turning him into the face of a generation.
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