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Netflix’s ‘Adolescence’ wins big at Bafta Television Awards
11th May, 2026 02:25 PM
Netflix drama Adolescence was the big winner at the Bafta Television Awards on Sunday, with The Celebrity Traitors and Last One Laughing also scooping a share of the glory.
The Celebrity Traitors and Last One Laughing won two prizes each, while Adolescence took four – breaking the record for the most wins at the Bafta TV Awards ceremony in a single year.
The hard-hitting drama, which became a national talking point when it was released in March 2025, was named best limited series, and there were acting honours for its stars Stephen Graham, Owen Cooper and Christine Tremarco.
At 16, Cooper became the youngest ever winner of the award for best supporting actor.
Cooper’s Bafta can go alongside the Emmy, Golden Globe, National Television, Royal Television Society and Actor Awards he has already won for playing a boy accused of murdering a female classmate.
In his acceptance speech, the rising star from Warrington paid tribute to the Beatles.
“In the words of John Lennon, you won’t get anything unless you have the vision to imagine it,” he said.
“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.”
Graham was named best leading actor for playing Cooper’s on-screen dad, and Tremarco won best supporting actress for playing his mum.
It was Graham’s first Bafta win after seven previous nominations.
In his speech, he encouraged young viewers to believe they could follow a similar path in acting.
“We’re not digging holes, we’re not digging ditches, we’re not saving lives, but we have the opportunity to tell the human condition, and we have the obligation to tell beautiful stories and we need to keep that going,” he said.
He also ended his speech with a Beatles reference, telling the ceremony: “The kid’s already said it, but in the words of the Beatles, all we need is love.”
Actress wins for Zaghari-Ratcliffe role
Iran-born actress Narges Rashidi was named best leading actress for her role as Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe in BBC One’s Prisoner 951. She dedicated the win to Zaghari-Ratcliffe and her family, praising their resilience through years of imprisonment in Iran.
Her speech struck a deeply emotional tone, honouring what she called “dignity through impossible circumstances,” in one of the night’s most powerful moments.
Drama, reality and comedy shine
Elsewhere, ITV’s Code of Silence clinched best drama, with Rose Ayling-Ellis earning praise for her portrayal of a deaf woman assisting police investigations.
The reality category went to The Celebrity Traitors, which drew more than 15 million viewers and became the most-watched programme of the year. Claudia Winkleman dedicated the win to its “extraordinary cast.”
Alan Carr’s surprise triumph as a Traitor was voted the most memorable TV moment, a rare public-voted category that captured the night’s viral energy.
Prime Video’s Last One Laughing took best entertainment programme, while Bob Mortimer won best entertainment performance for his subtle, high-pressure comedy work.
Comedy remained strong across the board. Steve Coogan won best actor in a comedy for How Are You? It’s Alan (Partridge), joking he would continue playing Alan Partridge “until I die.” Katherine Parkinson secured the best comedy actress for Here We Go, rounding off a competitive category.
Special honours
Veteran cook Mary Berry received the Bafta Fellowship at 91, reflecting on family, loss and her lifelong career in food and television. Her tribute to her late son added a poignant note to the evening.
Financial campaigner Martin Lewis also received an honorary award, sharing a personal speech about resilience after losing his mother at a young age, urging audiences to believe in transformation and second chances.
Across drama, comedy and current affairs, the Bafta Television Awards highlighted both entertainment power and emotional storytelling. From Adolescence’s record-breaking sweep to The Celebrity Traitors’ viral dominance, the night reflected a television landscape driven by bold narratives and audience connection.
