Owen Cooper made history at the 2025 Emmy Awards, becoming the youngest male to ever win an Emmy, at just 15 years old. The young British actor secured the prize for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series for his role in Netflix’s critically acclaimed drama Adolescence. His win came on a night where the British production dominated, claiming trophies for best limited series, directing, writing, and two further acting awards.
Cooper’s breakthrough performance as Jamie Miller, a schoolboy accused of murdering a classmate, was praised for its raw intensity. In his acceptance speech, the teenager described the moment as “surreal” and said the award symbolised the value of stepping out of one’s comfort zone. He also paid tribute to his family, co-stars, and production team, adding that the award “really belongs to the people behind the camera.”
By winning, Cooper broke a record that had stood for more than half a century. The previous youngest male Emmy winner was Scott Jacoby, who was 16 when he won in 1973. Roxana Zal, who took first place in 1984 at the age of 14, still holds the overall record.
The four-part Netflix drama proved the standout of the night, winning Outstanding Limited Series alongside acting honors for Stephen Graham and Erin Doherty. Graham, who took the prize for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series, reflected on his journey, saying: “This kind of thing normally doesn’t happen to a kid like me… any dream is possible.”
Doherty, named Outstanding Supporting Actress, praised the ensemble nature of the production and joked that she would be “banging on about Owen Cooper and Adolescence for the rest of my life.”
The creative team also triumphed. Writer Jack Thorne, who shared the writing award with Graham, highlighted the young cast’s role in bringing the story to life. Director Philip Barantini added another British win by taking home the prize for Outstanding Directing in a Limited Series.
In total, Adolescence secured five major awards, underlining the strength of British talent on the global stage.
Beyond Adolescence, British names were central to other categories. Adam Randall collected the award for Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series for Slow Horses, another Apple TV+ production featuring Gary Oldman. The cumulative wins reinforced the UK’s influence in this year’s ceremony.
Australian, Nigerian, and Indian talent were represented in nominations but did not secure victories in 2025, leaving Britain as the night’s most successful international presence.
While Adolescence led the limited series categories, other genres saw different stories unfold. HBO Max’s The Pitt was named Outstanding Drama Series, with acting wins for Noah Wyle and Katherine LaNasa. Apple TV+ comedy The Studio, a satire on Hollywood led by Seth Rogen, dominated the comedy categories with a record 13 wins across the Primetime and Creative Arts ceremonies. Rogen himself won Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy, as well as prizes for writing and directing.
Jean Smart repeated her victory as Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy for Hacks, while her co-star Hannah Einbinder won her first Emmy.
Other notable moments included Tramell Tillman’s win as the first Black actor to be named Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for his role in Severance. He dedicated the award to his mother, calling her his “first acting coach.”
In the talk category, Stephen Colbert won for The Late Show shortly after announcing the program’s cancellation, prompting an emotional response and a standing ovation.
The ceremony itself ran close to time, thanks to a novel approach by host Nate Bargatze. He began the evening with a pledge to donate $100,000 to charity, reducing the figure for speeches that ran over the allotted time while increasing it for shorter ones. In the end, CBS and Bargatze announced a $250,000 donation to the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, regardless of the tally.
Although the night featured a balance of comedy and drama, the success of Adolescence highlighted Britain’s achievements at the Emmys. With Owen Cooper making history at just 15, and veterans like Stephen Graham and Erin Doherty also winning, the ceremony marked one of the strongest British showings in Emmy history.
