The 77th Emmys, hosted by Nate Bargatze on September 14, 2025, at LA’s Peacock Theater, was a night of surprises and standout moments. Netflix’s Adolescence, a gritty limited series about a teen boy accused of murder, dominated with eight awards, including Outstanding Limited Series and Lead Actor for Stephen Graham as the boy’s struggling dad. The show’s raw take on family, online radicalization, and youth in crisis struck a chord, becoming Netflix’s second most watched original ever.
Adolescence: A Raw, Unflinching Triumph
If there’s one show that had everyone talking, it’s Adolescence. This four episode Netflix miniseries, co-created by Stephen Graham and Jack Thorne, dives headfirst into the messy, heartbreaking world of a 13-year-old boy accused of murder. Shot in daring, single-take episodes, it’s a raw exploration of family dysfunction, online radicalization, and the perils of growing up in a digital age. Graham, who stars as Eddie Miller, the boy’s desperate working-class father, delivered a performance so visceral it earned him his third Emmy, including Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series, Outstanding Writing, and a shared win for Outstanding Limited Series. The series didn’t stop there. Erin Doherty’s nuanced portrayal of Briony Ariston snagged Supporting Actress, and the show racked up directing and producing honors, totaling eight Emmys. With its unflinching look at how unchecked screen time can spiral into tragedy, Adolescence became Netflix’s second most-watched original series ever. In his acceptance speech, Graham, voice cracking with emotion, said, “We poured our hearts into this little show, hoping it’d spark something. To see it resonate like this it’s overwhelming.” It’s no wonder the series left audiences and critics alike buzzing about TV’s power to tackle tough, timely issues
Owen Cooper: The Teen Who Stole Hollywood’s Heart
Then came the night’s most electric moment. Owen Cooper, a 15-year-old from Warrington, England, with zero acting experience before Adolescence, won Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series, becoming the youngest male actor ever to claim an acting Emmy. At 14 during filming, Cooper’s haunting portrayal of Jamie Miller—the troubled teen drawn into a dark online world—was nothing short of revelatory. He beat out heavyweights like Javier Bardem and Jake Gyllenhaal (who, in a sweet twist, gifted Cooper a “lucky duck” before the ceremony), shattering a 52-year record set by Scott Jacoby in 1973. Cooper’s journey is the stuff of Hollywood dreams. Plucked from an open casting call for an unknown northern talent, the Liverpool F.C. fan and former rugby match ball carrier walked onto the Emmy stage, wide-eyed and humble, clutching his statuette. “I never imagined this,” he said, thanking his family and Graham for believing in him. Reflecting on his role, he noted how Jamie’s story seduced by toxic online voices hit close to home for today’s youth. “It’s about what can happen when no one’s watching what you’re doing online,” he told reporters. Backstage, still reeling, he admitted to fangirling over Gyllenhaal and dreaming of a pint with Graham to celebrate. Cooper’s win wasn’t just a personal triumph—it signaled a new era for young talent in prestige TV.
The Night’s Other Bright Spots
Adolescence wasn’t the only star of the night. Apple TV+’s The Studio, a razor-sharp Hollywood satire, made history with 13 Emmys (including Creative Arts wins), clinching Outstanding Comedy Series and multiple nods for Seth Rogen’s tour-de-force performance as a beleaguered studio exec. HBO Max’s The Pitt, a gritty medical drama, pulled off an upset for Outstanding Drama Series, with Noah Wyle finally nabbing Lead Actor after years of ER snubs. His emotional dedication to healthcare workers “What a dream this has been” had the crowd on its feet. Other highlights included Tramell Tillman (Severance) as the first Black Supporting Actor in a Drama winner and Cristin Milioti’s commanding Lead Actress win for The Penguin.
