BAFTAs 2026: Complete Winners List as Adolescence Dominates TV Awards
The 2026 BAFTA Television Awards took place on Sunday 10 May 2026 at London’s Royal Festival Hall, hosted by Greg Davies. Netflix’s one-shot drama Adolescence dominated the night with four major wins, while the Celebrity Traitors and Last One Laughing also took top prizes, per Variety.
This year’s ceremony really celebrated some solid talent across UK television, with powerful dramas and laugh-out-loud comedies getting their moment. We’re breaking down all the big winners, the history-making moments, and the speeches everyone is still talking about from the BAFTAs 2026.
The BAFTAs 2026: Ceremony Highlights
The BAFTA Television Awards 2026 brought together the brightest stars of British TV for a night of celebration and recognition. The event happened on Sunday 10 May 2026, right at the iconic Royal Festival Hall in London.
Greg Davies, known for his work on Taskmaster, was the host for the evening, keeping the energy high with his usual wit. The night saw Netflix’s powerful drama “Adolescence” truly shine, walking away with an impressive four awards. Quick tip: If you missed the live show, catch up on highlights online!
The Academy also honored some legends. Dame Mary Berry received the prestigious BAFTA Fellowship, a well-deserved recognition for her incredible career. Plus, Martin Lewis from Money Saving Expert was given a Special Award, celebrating his impact on the public.
“Adolescence” Steals the Show at BAFTAs 2026
The biggest story from the BAFTAs 2026 was probably the massive success of “Adolescence.” This Netflix four-episode one-shot drama, created by Stephen Graham and Jack Thorne, tells the intense story of a 13-year-old boy accused of murder. It really resonated with viewers and critics alike.
The show picked up four big awards, making it the night’s top winner. It won Best Limited Drama, which is a huge deal for a single-season series. Stephen Graham also took home the Leading Actor award for his powerful performance, a first for him after many nominations.
The cast also saw two supporting actors recognized. Owen Cooper, at just 16 years old, made history by winning Supporting Actor, which is pretty amazing. Christine Tremarco also won Supporting Actress, rounding out a fantastic night for Adolescence.
All the Big Winners: Who Else Took Home a BAFTA?
Beyond “Adolescence,” many other shows and performances were celebrated at the BAFTAs 2026. Narges Rashidi won Leading Actress for her role in “Prisoner 951” on BBC One, a performance that really stood out. “Code of Silence” took home the Drama Series award, proving its popularity.
For entertainment, Bob Mortimer was recognized for his Entertainment Performance in “Last One Laughing” on Prime Video, a show that also won Entertainment Programme. The international series category went to “The Studio” from Apple TV, with Seth Rogen accepting the award and dedicating it to his late co-star Catherine O’Hara. The difference is: “Last One Laughing” won both for its format and for Bob Mortimer’s specific performance.
Scripted Comedy was awarded to “Amandaland,” which many people really love. “EastEnders” continued its long run of success, winning Soap & Continuing Drama. The Memorable TV Moment award went to The Celebrity Traitors, specifically for Alan Carr’s win on BBC One, which was a huge talking point.
In factual categories, “Simon Schama: The Road to Auschwitz” won Specialist Factual, and “See No Evil” was named Best Factual Series. “Gaza: Doctors Under Attack” on Channel 4 picked up the Current Affairs award, highlighting important global issues. Empire notes that Owen Cooper’s win at age 16 really was a historic moment for the awards.
Unforgettable Moments: The Speeches That Stood Out
The BAFTAs 2026 weren’t just about the awards; the acceptance speeches often make the night truly special. Stephen Graham, after eight nominations over the years, finally got his moment. He said, “Nice one Bafta, this is lovely. When I was a kid, I watched a telly programme called Scully. So for any other young kid, no matter where you’re from, anything is possible.” It was a genuinely heartfelt moment.
Owen Cooper, the 16-year-old Supporting Actor winner, also had some inspiring words. He shared, “A year ago, I was presenting an award and now I’m collecting one. This is a bit mad. In the words of John Lennon, you won’t get anything unless you have the vision to imagine it.” His speech really showed his talent and vision, per National World.
Martin Lewis, accepting his Special Award, spoke about his journey, saying, “Life can be transformed, it can get better. If you had told that broken, scared boy that I’d proudly be a campaigning journalist, his jaw would have dropped.” Dame Mary Berry, accepting her Fellowship, kept it sweet and simple: “I’m really bowled over by this accolade. I’m a cook, I’m a teacher.”
What’s Next for UK TV After the BAFTAs 2026?
The BAFTAs 2026 really highlighted the strength and diversity of UK television right now. Seeing a powerful drama like “Adolescence” dominate, alongside popular entertainment shows and crucial factual programming, shows that there’s something good for everyone.
The wins for rising stars like Owen Cooper also suggest a bright future for new talent on our screens. It’s always exciting to see who will emerge and what new stories will capture our attention. We can probably expect more innovative dramas and engaging entertainment to keep coming from the UK.
These awards often inspire creators to push boundaries, so we’re looking forward to seeing how these wins influence upcoming productions. It seems like UK TV is on a solid path, offering a mix of compelling narratives and pure entertainment.
Frequently Asked Questions
When were the BAFTAs 2026?
The BAFTAs 2026 were held on Sunday 10 May 2026 at London’s Royal Festival Hall. As of May 2026. Source: NME.
Who won Leading Actor at BAFTAs 2026?
Stephen Graham won Leading Actor for his role in “Adolescence” (Netflix). This was his first BAFTA win after 8 nominations. As of May 2026. Source: Variety.
Who won Leading Actress at BAFTAs 2026?
Narges Rashidi won Leading Actress for her performance in “Prisoner 951” (BBC One). As of May 2026. Source: Empire.
How many awards did Adolescence win?
“Adolescence” won four awards: Best Limited Drama, Leading Actor (Stephen Graham), Supporting Actor (Owen Cooper), and Supporting Actress (Christine Tremarco). As of May 2026. Source: National World.
Who hosted the BAFTAs 2026?
Greg Davies, known for Taskmaster, hosted the BAFTA Television Awards 2026. As of May 2026. Source: NME.
Who received the BAFTA Fellowship in 2026?
Dame Mary Berry received the prestigious BAFTA Fellowship. Martin Lewis also received the Special Award. As of May 2026. Source: National World.
The BAFTAs 2026 truly showcased the best of British television, from powerful dramas like “Adolescence” to beloved entertainment. With new talent emerging and established stars being celebrated, it’s a great time to be a fan of UK TV. Keep an eye out for these winning shows and performances if you haven’t seen them yet!
This article is based on official BAFTA winners’ announcements from 10 May 2026 and verified reporting from Variety, NME, Empire, and National World.
Sources
Variety – “‘Adolescence’ Dominates Top Honors at BAFTA TV Awards” – May 10, 2026
NME – “‘Adolescence’ and Stephen Graham win big at the 2026 BAFTA TV Awards” – May 11, 2026
National World – “Bafta 2026: Full list of winners as Adolescence and The Traitors dominate awards” – May 11, 2026
Empire – “History was made at the BAFTA TV Awards 2026”
BAFTA – Television Awards
