Could there really have been any other outcome? In an age of a fragmented media landscape where eyeballs are divided between the addictive glare of small screen social media scrolling, big budget video games and the internet at large, it’s often thought that the humble television no longer has the power to dominate the conversation.
Stephen Graham and Jack Thorne’s searing four-part psychological drama, Adolescence, about a 13-year-old boy accused of murder, proved that theory wrong, not just terrifying every parent who saw it, but sparking a global debate about social media, children and the “manosphere” that would head up the news agenda from the London to Los Angeles and everywhere in between.
The result: eight Emmys for the show including best anthology and limited series and best writing — a recognition of its impact, but also the great craft involved. Philip Brantini quite rightly won the best directing gong in the limited or anthology series category for the incredible feat of helming each episode in one continuous shot, and both Stephen Graham and Erin Doherty were rightly rewarded for their performances on screen.
• Adolescence: the TV drama that every parent should watch
But the biggest cheer of the night among television fans was for Owen Cooper, now the youngest ever male winner of an Emmy at the age of 15. He was just 14 years old when he delivered one of the best small screen performances in a very long time — not just of a child actor, but of anyone. And to offer that note-perfect rollercoaster turn as Jamie Miller in one take is nothing short of remarkable.
Accepting his award, Cooper said: “When I started these drama classes a couple of years back, I didn’t expect to even be in the United States, never mind here.” I don’t think this’ll be the last we’ve seen of such a brilliant young talent.
Seth Rogen poses with four awards for his work on The Studio, including best actor in a comedy series and best writing for a comedy series
DANIEL COLE/REUTERS
Another big winner on the night was no real surprise and came in the shape of Seth Rogen’s The Studio, a satirical love letter to Hollywood, and one of the best new comedies of the past few years. The biting and at times silly Apple TV+ is stuffed with cameos from Martin Scorsese to Charlize Theron and the Curb-esque storytelling is offset by slick and stylish direction with a storyline that treads a careful line between cynicism and silliness. It was rightly awarded the best comedy along with Seth Rogen’s performance, direction and writing. With 13 awards across the Emmys and the creative Emmys, it became the most decorated comedy in a single season. It looks like navel gazing still pays a premium in LaLa Land.
• Adolescence and the Times 100 best British TV shows of the century
But what happened to Severance? The critically acclaimed word of mouth dystopian hit was hotly tipped to win the coveted best drama award, and with 27 nominations across the Emmys and the craft awards, it seemed likely to sweep the board. In the end the dystopian thriller lost out to The Pitt (a new medical drama starring Noah Wyle that hasn’t been shown in the UK yet). Britt Lower won leading actress in a drama series, and Tramell Tillman best supporting actor, but it’s perhaps not quite the result fans might have been expecting.
In other news The Late Show with Stephen Colbert finally took home its first Emmy in protest against the axing of the show. Taking to the stage to accept the award Colbert quipped: “While I have your attention … Is anyone hiring?”
Katherine LaNasa, Noah Wyle and Shawn Hatosy, stars of The Pitt, which won outstanding drama series
REUTERS/DANIEL COLE
But surely the biggest story of the night — Gary Oldman, overlooked again. His portrayal of the slovenly, chaotic and quite often quietly brilliant Jackson Lamb is one of the best things to happen to television in recent years. The only consolation is that Apple TV+ are pumping out so many series of Slow Horses that he’ll certainly have a few more bites of the cherry in the next few years. But as for 2025, you have to say he was robbed.
• Slow Horses director on Gary Oldman: ‘A joy to work with — but terrifying’
Emmys 2025: who won?Best drama series: The Pitt Lead actor in a drama series: Noah Wyle — The Pitt Lead actress in a drama series: Britt Lower — Severance Lead actor in a comedy series: Seth Rogen — The Studio Lead actress in a comedy series: Jean Smart — Hacks Lead actor in a limited or anthology series: Stephen Graham — Adolescence Lead actress in a limited or anthology series: Cristin Milioti — The Penguin Supporting actor in a drama series: Tramell Tillman — Severance Supporting actress in a drama series: Katherine LaNasa — The Pitt Supporting actor in a comedy series: Jeff Hiller — Somebody Somewhere Supporting actress in a comedy series: Hannah Einbinder — Hacks Supporting actor in a limited or anthology series: Owen Cooper — Adolescence Supporting actress in a limited or anthology series: Erin Doherty — Adolescence Outstanding reality competition programme: The Traitors
•