The Daily Star Ireland
The 2025 Primetime Emmy Awards delivered a night of groundbreaking moments, emotional speeches, and sweeping victories across drama, comedy, and limited series categories. The highlight came when 15-year-old Owen Cooper of Netflix’s Adolescence became the youngest male actor ever to win a Primetime Emmy, earning Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie.
Owen Cooper’s Record-Breaking Win
Cooper, who had already made history as the youngest nominee in his category, delivered an emotional speech recalling how far he had come in just a few years.
“Honestly, 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,” he told the audience. “But I think tonight proves that if you listen, you focus, and you step out of your comfort zone, you can achieve anything in life.”
His win capped a monumental evening for Adolescence, which collected six awards in the Limited Series field, including Best Limited or Anthology Series.
Adolescence Sweeps the Limited Series Category
The gritty British drama, which captivated Netflix audiences earlier this year, follows the story of a 13-year-old boy arrested for the murder of a classmate. Its success at the Emmys was emphatic:
- Stephen Graham won Outstanding Lead Actor.
- Erin Doherty claimed Outstanding Supporting Actress.
- Jack Thorne and Stephen Graham were honored for Outstanding Writing.
- Philip Barantini took home Outstanding Directing.
In his speech, Graham reflected on his unlikely journey: “I’m just a mixed-race kid from a block of flats in Kirkby. For me to be here in front of my peers is the most humbling thing I could ever imagine. It shows you that any dream is possible.”
Other Winners Across Drama and Comedy
While Adolescence stole the spotlight in its category, the drama and comedy races were equally competitive.
- The Pitt, a medical drama, was named Outstanding Drama Series, with Noah Wyle and Katherine LaNasa earning acting honors.
- Apple TV+’s Severance, which led with 27 nominations, secured wins for Britt Lower (Lead Actress) and Tramell Tillman (Supporting Actor).
- Comedy honors went to The Studio, which swept with Outstanding Comedy Series, while Seth Rogen collected both acting and writing awards.
- Hacks saw Jean Smart win Lead Actress and Hannah Einbinder Supporting Actress, while Jeff Hiller won Supporting Actor for Somebody Somewhere.
In the Limited Series category, Cristin Milioti (The Penguin) earned Lead Actress, rounding out a competitive slate.
Notable Moments and Emotional Highlights
Host Nate Bargatze added levity with a charitable twist, pledging $100,000 to the Boys and Girls Club of America—though he humorously docked funds for speeches running long. With speeches consistently exceeding the time limit, the total “plummeted,” as Bargatze admitted. In the end, CBS added to the donation, bringing the total to $350,000.
The evening also honored industry legends, with Maggie Smith, Ozzy Osbourne, Quincy Jones, Michelle Trachtenberg, and David Lynch featured in the emotional In Memoriam segment.
One of the night’s most moving speeches came from Stephen Colbert, whose recently canceled Late Show won Outstanding Talk Series. Addressing his team and audience, Colbert reflected:
“Sometimes you only truly know how much you love something when you feel like you might be losing it. Ten years later, in September of 2025, my friends, I have never loved my country more desperately. God bless America. Stay strong. Be brave.”
Key Winners at a Glance
- Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series – Adolescence
- Outstanding Drama Series – The Pitt
- Outstanding Comedy Series – The Studio
- Outstanding Lead Actor, Limited Series – Stephen Graham (Adolescence)
- Outstanding Lead Actress, Limited Series – Cristin Milioti (The Penguin)
- Outstanding Lead Actor, Drama – Noah Wyle (The Pitt)
- Outstanding Lead Actress, Drama – Britt Lower (Severance)
- Outstanding Lead Actor, Comedy – Seth Rogen (The Studio)
- Outstanding Lead Actress, Comedy – Jean Smart (Hacks)
- Outstanding Supporting Actor, Limited Series – Owen Cooper (Adolescence)
- Outstanding Supporting Actress, Limited Series – Erin Doherty (Adolescence)
The 2025 Emmys not only celebrated talent and creativity but also marked a generational shift, with Owen Cooper’s historic win serving as a powerful reminder that age is no barrier to impact in Hollywood.
