London: Netflix drama Adolescence emerged as the standout winner at the Bafta Television Awards, taking home four awards and setting a new record for the highest number of wins by a single programme in one year at the Bafta TV Awards ceremony.
The critically acclaimed drama, which became a major national talking point following its release in March 2025, won the award for Best Limited Series. The show also earned acting honours for stars Stephen Graham, Owen Cooper and Christine Tremarco.
Meanwhile, The Celebrity Traitors and Last One Laughing UK also enjoyed success on the night, with both programmes winning two awards each.
“Anything is possible” ✨
Stephen Graham takes home the award for Leading Actor at the #BAFTATVAwards with @pandocruises pic.twitter.com/dJWZKyrQOj
— BAFTA (@BAFTA) May 10, 2026
At the age of 16, Cooper became the youngest-ever winner of the Bafta award for Best Supporting Actor for his role as a boy accused of murdering a female classmate. His Bafta victory adds to an already impressive list of achievements, including Emmy, Golden Globe, National Television, Royal Television Society and Actor Awards wins for the same performance.
During his acceptance speech, Cooper referenced John Lennon and paid tribute to The Beatles. Quoting Lennon, he said people need vision to achieve success and added that, in his view, three things are needed in life to succeed: obsession, a dream, and the Beatles.
Graham won the Best Leading Actor award for portraying Cooper’s on-screen father, while Tremarco secured the Best Supporting Actress prize for playing his mother in the series. The win marked Graham’s first Bafta award after receiving seven previous nominations throughout his career.
In his acceptance speech, Graham encouraged young people watching the ceremony to believe they could also pursue careers in acting and storytelling regardless of their background. He said actors may not save lives or do physically demanding work, but they have the opportunity and responsibility to portray the human condition and tell meaningful stories that resonate with audiences.
Graham concluded his speech with another Beatles reference, telling the audience: ‘All we need is love.’
ALSO READ | Hantavirus-hit cruise ship reaches Tenerife for evacuation
