Bafta TV Awards: Adolescence sweeps and Owen Cooper makes history at 16

The Bafta Television Awards 2025 ceremony, held on Sunday in London, had a clear protagonist: the Netflix series "Adolescence". The production, which explores the complexities of contemporary youth, took home the most important awards of the night, including Best Leading Actor and Best Supporting Actor.

Owen Cooper, the youngest winner

At 16 years old, Owen Cooper became the youngest winner in Bafta history by winning the award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in "Adolescence". The young actor, who until now had an incipient career, managed to captivate both critics and the public. In his speech, visibly emotional, he thanked the cast and crew, and dedicated the award to all young people who dream of pursuing acting.

Stephen Graham, who plays the father of Cooper's character in the series, was awarded Best Leading Actor. In his speech, Graham encouraged young viewers to pursue their dreams in the world of acting, highlighting that "talent has no age".

Narges Rashidi and real-life drama

Actress Narges Rashidi took home the award for Best Leading Actress for her role in the BBC biographical drama "Prisoner 951", where she plays Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, the British-Iranian who spent years detained in Iran. Rashidi dedicated the award to Zaghari-Ratcliffe and her family, underlining the importance of telling real stories that shed light on injustice.

Reality and entertainment

In the category of Best Reality Programme, "The Celebrity Traitors" was crowned winner. Presenter Claudia Winkleman, upon receiving the award, dedicated it to the "extraordinary cast who played with dignity, enthusiasm and all their heart". The programme, which combines strategy and betrayal, has been a ratings success in the UK.

A night of contrasts

This year's ceremony reflected the diversity of British television, from high-tension dramas to reality shows that engage the masses. The presence of awards for streaming productions like Netflix confirms the convergence between traditional television and digital platforms. Meanwhile, the BBC continues to demonstrate its strength with productions based on real events that connect with audiences.