In a memorable night for Netflix’s hit series Adolescence, the show secured four prestigious awards at the 2026 Golden Globe Awards, marking a major accomplishment for the cast and crew, and providing standout moments such as a photograph opportunity with Leonardo DiCaprio at the Golden Globes. The event took place amid the glamour of Hollywood, with cast members celebrating alongside notable industry celebrities.
Mona Kosar Abdi from Extra caught up with the Adolescence team shortly after the ceremony, speaking with newly awarded Owen Cooper and other actors about their experience after the night’s triumphs.
Owen Cooper’s Nerves and Celebrity Encounters
Owen Cooper, recipient of Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role on Television, reflected on accepting his award in front of a crowd full of his celebrity peers. He candidly recounted,
“I was absolutely petrified. My legs were like jelly seeing everyone in front of me. I did panic a little bit, but I got the speech done.”
—Owen Cooper, Actor.
Cooper shared that being surrounded by Hollywood icons inspired him to make the most of the occasion. As he put it,
“Well, I might not be back here again, so I had to take my chance,”
and recalled,
“As soon as the interval thing for the break, I just ran straight to whoever I wanted to meet, and I did.”
—Owen Cooper, Actor.
Among the celebrities he met were Leonardo DiCaprio, Dwayne Johnson (familiarly known as The Rock), Kevin Hart, Adam Sandler, and George Clooney. Cooper’s photograph with DiCaprio became a highlight, a testament to the show’s sudden visibility and its appeal even among entertainment’s top names.
Major Awards Recognize Talent and Teamwork
The night brought significant recognition to Adolescence with wins including Best Limited or Anthology Series, Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Limited Series, Anthology Series, or Motion Picture Made for Television; Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role on Television; and the earlier mentioned award secured by Cooper. The series’ achievements demonstrate Netflix’s continued success in producing content that resonates powerfully with both audiences and awards committees.
When asked about the emotional impact of the night’s successes, Stephen Graham described the experience,
“It was just a wonderful experience.”
—Stephen Graham, Actor.
Graham emphasized the unity of the cast and crew, noting,
“For us to do this as a collective, we started off as a family journey,”
and continued,
“Each person involved in this whole process is an equal. That’s the ethos that we’ve carried right through this whole thing.”
—Stephen Graham, Actor.
He further reflected on the team effort, stating,
“For us to be here today as a collective, it’s a wonderful, joyous experience. And I say it all the time, acting, all what we do is not a game of golf, it’s not a one-man sport… it’s a team collective. It’s a collective consciousness, which we’ve managed to encapsulate on this project. We’ve just carried that on and feel very blessed and exceptionally grateful.”
—Stephen Graham, Actor.
Unfiltered Reactions from the Cast
The excitement of the night was felt during the acceptance speeches, including that of Erin Doherty, whose candid and humorously profane remarks briefly required bleeping. Doherty later quipped,
“I’m not going to do it again. I’ve hit my max quota for the night — I’m morally in jail as soon as I get home, my mum is going to kill me!”
—Erin Doherty, Actor.
Still reflecting on the unscripted moment, she added,
“I couldn’t not [cuss] — you know me,”
and told her fellow actors,
“I am potty mouth, and it just came out. It was special — really, really, special to just be up there and see your faces. What a night!”
—Erin Doherty, Actor.
Behind the Scenes: Origins of the Winning Show
Stephen Graham, who won a Golden Globe and contributed behind the scenes, commented on the origins of the project and its emotional weight. He pointed out,
“The whole thing came from a mate following me up one day… said ‘I want to be a director.’ And there’s that mate there.”
—Stephen Graham, Actor.
Graham then acknowledged director Philip Barantini, who embraced Graham and acknowledged the truth of the story. Barantini explained,
“I did phone him up — I was an actor and said I wanted to have a go at directing. Then, you know, made a short film. Basically asked him to be in that short film, he said ‘No.’ Then, I made another short film after that, and then he said, ‘Go do it on your own first.’ Then he was in the next one, and so was Hannah [Walters]. And then I got an agent.”
—Philip Barantini, Director.
What Comes Next for Adolescence and Its Cast
The triumph of Adolescence at the Golden Globes, highlighted by personal moments such as Owen Cooper’s meeting with Leonardo DiCaprio and speeches from Erin Doherty and Stephen Graham, reflects the profound impact the show has had on its creators and audiences. With its numerous awards and genuine camaraderie among its cast and crew, the series has set a high standard for limited series on streaming platforms like Netflix. As industry buzz continues, attention will remain on the talented individuals who brought the show to life and on the potential future opportunities for this celebrated ensemble.
