Owen Cooper Makes History at BAFTA Awards
Owen Cooper, a 16-year-old actor, made history by winning the Best Supporting Actor award at the British Academy Television Awards (BAFTA). This win adds to his already impressive list of achievements, as he is the youngest winner of the Best Supporting Actor award at both the Golden Globes and the Emmy Awards. His performance in the Netflix series Adolescence earned him this prestigious honor.
Christine Tremarco, who plays Owen’s onscreen mother in the show, also won the Best Supporting Actress award. Her win came as a surprise, as she beat co-star Erin Doherty, who had previously won a Golden Globe and an Emmy for her role in the same series.
The Success of Adolescence
Adolescence, created by actor Stephen Graham and writer Jack Thorne, explores the story of Jamie Miller, a British teenager who becomes involved with the manosphere online and is later found guilty of murdering a female classmate. Each episode of the series is filmed in one continuous shot, a unique approach that has been widely praised for its innovative storytelling and for addressing critical issues such as online radicalization and misogyny.
Stephen Graham, who was nominated for multiple awards, expressed his emotional reaction when Christine won her BAFTA. He said: ‘I hold this BAFTA high to Hannah Walters and Stephen Graham, thank you so much.’
The series also won the Limited Drama category, beating other notable shows such as Fought The Law, Trespasses, and What It Feels Like For A Girl.
Owen Cooper’s Reflections
In his acceptance speech, Owen reflected on the journey that led him to this moment. He said: ‘Every time we are at these events and your name gets called out, your mind flashes back to your first audition, the first time on set, the first time you met the cast, it’s been an unreal two years. I’m just grateful to everyone who is here today.’
When asked about how the win has changed his life and what he plans to do next, Owen admitted he wasn’t sure. He said: ‘I don’t know what I want to do next. It’s changed my life because I’ve met all these beautiful people, me and my family have travelled the world, so it’s just amazing.’
He also spoke about his experience working with Erin Doherty, saying: ‘Erin was the first person that I ever worked with so it was a dream to film. It was hard to do, I’m not doing to stand here and say it was easy, it was hard to do that in front of a stranger I have never met but Erin and the crew were so kind.’
Other Notable Winners
Other highlights from the ceremony included:
Amandaland, starring Lucy Punch, won the BAFTA for scripted comedy. The show follows the downfall of a wealthy woman who moves to a less desirable area and rebrands it as ‘SoHa’. Writer Holly Walsh expressed her delight at seeing families watching the show together.
Katherine Parkinson won the Best Actor in a Comedy award for her role in Here We Go. She thanked her husband, Stephen, who she joked wasn’t at the event because he didn’t think she’d win.
Claudia Winkleman accepted the Reality Award for The Celebrity Traitors. She shared her excitement about the show and its connection with social media, noting that it brings families together.
Alan Carr won the P&O Cruises Memorable Moment Award for his performance as a traitor on The Celebrity Traitors.
Steve Coogan won the BAFTA for Best Actor in a Comedy for his performance in How Are You? It’s Alan (Partridge). He also addressed the unexpected exit of Helena Bonham Carter from The White Lotus.
Special Recognition for Factual Programming
Several factual programs also received recognition at the event. Simon Schama’s The Road to Auschwitz won the Specialist Factual BAFTA, while See No Evil and Grenfell: Uncovered took home awards for their coverage of significant social issues.
The Current Affairs BAFTA went to Gaza: Doctors Under Attack, which highlighted the challenges faced by medical professionals in the region. Producer Ramita Navai criticized the BBC for dropping the documentary, stating that they refused to be silenced.
Honoring Legacy and Contributions
Dame Mary Berry DBE was honored with the BAFTA Fellowship, recognizing her long-standing contributions to television and cooking. At 91, she remains active, having recently launched her own YouTube channel.
Martin Lewis CBE received the BAFTA Television Special Award, acknowledging his impact on the industry.
Conclusion
The BAFTA Awards celebrated a wide range of talent across different genres, from drama and comedy to reality TV and factual programming. With numerous accolades and heartfelt speeches, the event highlighted the dedication and creativity of those involved in the television industry.
