At a Glance
- Adolescence won Best Television Limited Series at the 2026 Golden Globes on January 11
- The Netflix drama secured four wins from five nominations, including acting honors for Stephen Graham, Erin Doherty, and 16-year-old Owen Cooper
- Creator Jack Thorne used his speech to say the show is about “the filth and the debris we have laid” in young people’s paths
Why it matters: A British murder-mystery about a 13-year-old accused of killing his classmate dominated Hollywood’s first major awards ceremony of the year, signaling streaming’s continued grip on limited-series prestige.
Netflix’s Adolescence stormed the 83rd Golden Globe Awards on Sunday, Jan. 11, claiming Best Television Limited Series, Anthology or Motion Picture Made for Television and three acting trophies during the live CBS and Paramount+ telecast from the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles.
The victory caps a breakout awards run for the four-part British thriller, which follows the Miller family after 13-year-old Jamie is arrested for the murder of a female classmate. Showrunner Jack Thorne accepted the trophy and dedicated the win to the show’s young cast.
“Some think our show is about how we should be frightened of young people,” Thorne told the ballroom. “It’s not. It’s about the filth and the debris we have laid in their path.”
He singled out teen actors Owen Cooper, Amari Bacchus, Amélie Pease, Fatima Bojang, and Kaine Davis, calling them “proof the world can be better.”
Adolescence Sweeps Acting Categories
The limited series went four-for-five on the night, converting every nomination into a win:
- Stephen Graham – Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Limited Series
- Erin Doherty – Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role on Television
- Owen Cooper – Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role on Television
- Owen Cooper – Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Limited Series, Anthology Series, or Motion Picture Made for Television
Cooper, 16, delivered two acceptance speeches, admitting the experience “does not feel real whatsoever.”
“What started off as, what I thought [was], ‘I might be okay, I might be awful. I never know.’ So I took a risk, and I went to drama classes,” he said. “I was the only boy there. It was embarrassing, but I got through it.”
Nominated Rivals
Adolescence bested a crowded field of streaming contenders:
| Show | Platform | Key Nominees |
|---|---|---|
| All Her Fault | Peacock | Sarah Snook |
| The Beast in Me | Netflix | Claire Danes, Matthew Rhys |
| Black Mirror | Netflix | Rashida Jones, Paul Giamatti |
| Dying for Sex | FX | Michelle Williams, Jenny Slate |
| The Girlfriend | Prime Video | Robin Wright, Olivia Cooke |
Snook, Williams, Danes Also in Race
Sarah Snook earned a nomination for All Her Fault, Peacock’s thriller about a mother whose 5-year-old son vanishes after a playdate. The Succession alum won the same category at the Critics Choice Awards on Jan. 4, telling reporters she had “an awesome time with the crew.”
Claire Danes and Matthew Rhys were both recognized for The Beast in Me. The Netflix drama centers on grieving author Aggie Wiggs (Danes) who suspects her new neighbor (Rhys) was involved in his wife’s disappearance. Rhys, 51, previously told News Of Losangeles he enjoys “the relish of the discomfort” around his character.
Michelle Williams scored a nomination for Dying for Sex, FX’s miniseries about a woman diagnosed with Stage IV metastatic breast cancer who leaves her husband to explore her sexuality. Co-star Jenny Slate and ensemble players Rob Delaney, Kelvin Yu, David Rasche, and Sissy Spacek round out the cast.
Black Mirror Returns to Globes
Black Mirror re-entered the awards race after a two-year hiatus, earning three nominations for its seventh season, the show’s first Globe nods since its 2011 debut. Rashida Jones and Paul Giamatti received acting mentions for episodes “Common People” and “Eulogy,” respectively.
Prime Video’s The Girlfriend
Robin Wright produced and starred in The Girlfriend, Prime Video’s adaptation of Michelle Frances‘ novel. Wright plays protective mother Laura, whose suspicions about her son’s new girlfriend (Olivia Cooke) spark a psychological power struggle. The series premiered in September.
Key Takeaways
- Netflix dominated the limited-series category, landing two of the six nominated shows and winning four trophies
- Adolescence emerged as the night’s biggest limited-series story, turning a grim premise into awards gold
- Teen actor Owen Cooper became one of the youngest double-winners in Globe history
- Jack Thorne framed the show’s success as a call to “remove hate” and invest in youth
The 2026 Golden Globe Awards aired live on CBS and streamed on Paramount+.
