Adolescence actor Owen Cooper made history as the youngest male Emmy winner, snagging the award for his breakout role in Netflix’s gripping British psychological drama.
While most young adult series lean on themes of first love, friendship drama, or the push-and-pull of societal expectations, Adolescence decided to flip the script early this year. The British Netflix limited series took a deep dive into heavier territory: how teens wrestle with the blurred lines between reality and online life, the pressures of social media, and the ripple effects of toxic masculinity. It wasn’t afraid to show just how messy, confusing, and sometimes dangerous growing up in the digital age can be.
And at the center of it all was Owen Cooper. His raw, vulnerable, and unsettlingly real performance had viewers debating episodes online, sparking discussions in classrooms, and even catching the attention of parents who saw their own kids reflected in the story. Owen Cooper’s acting was definitely convincing and unforgettable—and probably stressful to watch to some extent for some viewers. That’s why many people believe his win was more than just well-deserved. He became the youngest-ever male Emmy winner in any acting category, a milestone that cements him as one of the most exciting rising stars in television.
But Adolescence didn’t stop there. The series also took home the award for Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series, beating out heavyweights like Black Mirror, Dying for Sex, Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, and The Penguin. For a show that wasn’t afraid to challenge audiences, the sweep was a powerful statement about the kind of stories viewers are hungry for right now.
2025 Emmys: Breaking Barriers and Big Surprises
And Owen Cooper wasn’t the only one making history. Tramell Tillman also had a groundbreaking night, becoming the first Black actor to win Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for his gripping role in Severance. His emotional acceptance speech lit up social media and was one of the most replayed moments of the evening.
Interestingly, many of the acting awards this year went to first-time Emmy winners as well. That list included big names who have been around Hollywood for decades but were somehow overlooked until now. Seth Rogen, Noah Wyle, and others joined Owen Cooper in celebrating long-awaited—and in Cooper’s case, record-breaking—recognition.
But perhaps the biggest shocker of the night came courtesy of The Pitt. The medical drama snagged four major awards, including Outstanding Comedy Series, Writing and Directing in a Comedy Series, and Lead Actor in a Comedy Series for Seth Rogen. That haul comes on top of the nine Creative Arts Emmys it won just last weekend.
Indeed, the night was packed with memorable speeches, internet-worthy reactions, and a mix of expected wins and total upsets. From bold new dramas to sharp comedies and standout performances, the 2025 Emmys proved that TV remains one of the most powerful social institutions that shapes the way we understand identity, culture, and collective experience.
Here’s the complete list of winners from the 77th Primetime Emmys Awards 2025:
- Outstanding drama series: The Pitt
- Outstanding comedy series: The Studio
- Outstanding limited or anthology series: Adolescence
- Outstanding talk series: The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
- Outstanding lead actor in a comedy series: Seth Rogen (The Studio)
- Outstanding lead actress in a comedy series: Jean Smart (Hacks)
- Outstanding lead actress in a drama series: Britt Lower (Severance)
- Outstanding lead actor in a drama series: Noah Wyle (The Pitt)
- Outstanding lead actor in a limited or anthology series or movie: Stephen Graham (Adolescence)
- Outstanding lead actress in a limited or anthology series or movie: Cristin Milioti (The Penguin)
- Outstanding supporting actress in a drama series: Katherine LaNasa (The Pitt)
- Outstanding supporting actor in a drama series: Tramell Tillman (Severance)
- Outstanding supporting actress in a comedy series: Hannah Einbinder (Hacks)
- Outstanding supporting actor in a comedy series: Jeff Hiller (Somebody Somewhere)
- Outstanding supporting actor in a limited or anthology series or movie: Owen Cooper (Adolescence)
- Outstanding supporting actress in a limited or anthology series or movie: Erin Doherty (Adolescence)
- Outstanding reality competition program: The Traitors
