Owen Cooper secured the Bafta Television Award for best supporting actor on Sunday evening, a victory that marks the completion of an unprecedented haul of major honours for his very first screen performance.
The 16-year-old from Warrington has now claimed every significant television accolade available for a single role, having previously become the youngest performer to sweep the four main American TV prizes.
Bafta TV Awards 2026: Lucy Punch hands Owen Cooper his award
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Mr Cooper bagged the Primetime Emmy, Golden Globe, Sag Award and Critics Choice following his stint in the Netflix drama.
His win at the London ceremony, approximately 14 months after Adolescence premiered, concludes an extraordinary awards journey that has also seen victories at the Gotham Awards, Independent Spirit Awards and Royal Television Society Awards.
Bafta TV Awards 2026: Owen Cooper continued his dominance in the awards circuit
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Mr Cooper saw off fellow nominees including co-star Ashley Walters, Fehinti Balogun, Joshua McGuire, Paddy Considine and Rafael Mathé.
Accepting the award, Mr Cooper remarked: "Wow, it's heavy that, to be fair. A year ago, I was presenting an award, and now I'm collecting one. This is a bit mad."
The young actor thanked Bafta and described the Adolescence team as family before paying a special tribute to The Beatles, the band from his hometown.
"In the words of John Lennon, you won't get anything unless you have the vision to imagine it," he told the audience.
Bafta TV Awards 2026: Owen Cooper lifts his trophy aloft
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He went on: "So in my eyes, I think you only need three things to succeed: one, you need an obsession; two, you need a dream; and three, you need The Beatles."
Elsewhere, fellow Adolescence star Christine Tremarco claimed the best supporting actress Bafta for her portrayal of Mr Cooper's on-screen mother, Manda Miller.
Her victory came as something of an upset, with Ms Tremarco defeating co-star Erin Doherty, who had been nominated for her performance as psychologist Briony Ariston.
"I feel so privileged to be standing up here holding this Bafta. I feel so honoured to be part of Adolescence," Ms Tremarco said upon collecting her award. "I hold this Bafta high."
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Netflix Adolescence: Owen Cooper stars as Jamie in the drama | NETFLIXThe Netflix drama also bagged the limited drama prize, completing a dominant evening for the series.
Producer Mark Herbert, accepting alongside the cast and creative team, praised the writing: "Jack [Thorne] and Stephen [Graham], your amazing script…it ripped out our hearts and punched us in the gut.
"On our call sheet we had the words 'Don't be a dick,' that was our motto."
Adolescence cast Mr Cooper when he was just 13 years old and entirely without professional acting experience.
Bafta TV Awards 2026: Owen Cooper
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The drama follows Jamie Miller, a teenager arrested on suspicion of murdering a female classmate, and examines the devastating impact on his family.
Mr Cooper's standout episode, filmed in a single continuous hour-long take opposite Ms Doherty, received a nomination for Bafta's Memorable Moment Award.
The series became the second most-watched English-language programme in Netflix history and sparked a national conversation about online safety and incel culture, prompting co-writer Thorne to meet Prime Minister Keir Starmer at Downing Street.
However, it wasn't without its controversy, with critics questioning the decision to use Mr Cooper as the series lead.