Adolescence star Owen Cooper made history when he won Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a TV Movie or Limited Series at the Actor Awards, which were known as the SAG Awards until they were rechristened this year.
The 16-year-old became the youngest individual winner in the history of the ceremony, breaking the record previously held by Kate Winslet.
Winslet was 20 when she won her first gong for her portrayal of Marianne Dashwood in Ang Lee’s 1995 adaptation of Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility, which also starred Emma Thompson, Alan Rickman and Hugh Grant.
Now her crown has been snatched by Cooper for his chilling turn in Adolescence as a 13-year-old schoolboy who murders a female classmate.
He beat out a category that included Stephen Graham, who played his character’s father on the miniseries and also co-created it with Jack Thorne.
Cooper was unable to appear in person in Los Angeles, so presenter Damson Idris accepted the prize on his behalf, quipping that ‘I’ll be taking this home, thank you.’
Adolescence star Owen Cooper made history when he won Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a TV Movie or Limited Series at the Actor Awards; pictured on the series
His record as youngest winner ever was previously held by Kate Winslet for her triumph in 1996; she was not at the SAG Awards that year but is pictured at the same season’s BAFTAs
His absence went unexplained, but his movie Cry to Heaven – the next directorial effort from fashion designer Tom Ford – is currently being filmed, per IMDb.
Based on a 1982 novel by Anne Rice, the upcoming motion picture centers a castrated nobleman in 18th century Italy who becomes an opera soprano.
Adele is making her acting debut in the project, amid a star-studded cast including Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Nicolas Hoult, Colin Firth, Mark Strong, Thandiwe Newton, Paul Bettany, Ciaran Hinds, Hunter Schafer and Pedro Pascal’s trans sister Lux.
It emerged this past November that principal photography on the picture would take place in Italy and the UK, via Screen Daily – which would make sense of Cooper’s inability to be in Los Angeles for this Sunday’s awards show.
Incidentally, Kate Winslet was also unable to be present for her Sense and Sensibility win at the 1996 SAG Awards, which took place during the production of Kenneth Branagh’s Hamlet movie, in which she played Ophelia.
Owen Cooper’s triumph marked the continuation of a history-making awards show streak thanks to Adolescence, which he filmed when he was 14.
Last September, aged 15, he became the youngest male actor ever to win a Primetime Emmy, earning the gong for a supporting role in a limited series or anthology.
He remarked to reporters backstage that the honor ‘means so much to me’ and to ‘my family, people back home,’ according to E! News.
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Winslet was 20 when she won for her portrayal of Marianne Dashwood in the 1995 adaptation of Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility, in which she is pictured with Greg Wise
Last September, aged 15, Cooper became the youngest male actor ever to win a Primetime Emmy, earning the gong for a supporting role in a limited series or anthology
Cooper noted that his friends in the UK were ‘probably not even awake’ at that point, inasmuch as it was ‘about four in the morning at home,’ but added that the would ‘be over the moon’ and that he ‘can’t wait to tell them.’
Then in January, while studying for his GCSEs, he became the youngest ever recipient of the Golden Globe best supporting actor on television.
That honor made him the second-youngest Golden Globe winner in history, after The Champ star Ricky Schroder, who was nine when he won new star of the year in 1980.
In his acceptance speech, Cooper recalled: ”What started off as what I thought I might be okay at, I might be awful at – I took a risk and I went to drama classes. I was the only boy there. It was embarrassing but I got through it.’
He added that he was ‘still very much an apprentice, I’m still learning every day, I’m still every day learning from the people sat in front of me who have inspired me. I wouldn’t be here without you guys. This is mad. What is going on?’
Adolescence has been showered with glory during awards season, not just for Cooper but also Graham and their co-star Erin Doherty.
Michael B. Jordan pulled off the upset of awards season as he beat Timothee Chalamet for the top acting prize Sunday night.
That was not the only massive surprise for the talented star as his film, Sinners, also shocked as it earned top prize Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture at the event which took place at The Shrine Auditorium and Expo Hall in Los Angeles.
The 39-year-old star was left in tears as he earned the win in the Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role.
He beat out Chalamet who starred in Marty Supreme in a field which also included: Leonardo DiCaprio – One Battle After Another, Ethan Hawke – Blue Moon, and Jesse Plemons – Bugonia.
Chalamet, 30, – who previously won at the Critics Choice Awards and Golden Globe Awards – was a good sport as he stood up and applauded Jordan alongside his co-star Gwyneth Paltrow, 53.
When his name was announced, it was his mother Donna Jordan who had a shocked look on her face as she joyfully grabbed his shoulders.
Michael B. Jordan pulled off the upset of Award Season as he beat out Timothee Chalamet for the top acting prize at the Actor Awards 2026, formally known as the SAG Awards , on Sunday night
Chalamet, 30, was a good sport as he stood up and applauded Jordan alongside his co-star Gwyneth Paltrow, 53
That was not the only massive surprise for the talented star as his film, Sinners, also shocked as it earned top prize Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture
When his name was announced, it was his mother Donna Jordan who had a shocked look on her face as she joyfully grabbed his shoulders
The Ryan Coogler written and directed horror flick later earned the top ensemble acting prize over Frankenstein ( Netflix ), Hamnet (Focus Features), Marty Supreme (A24), and One Battle After Another (Warner Bros)
Delroy Lindo spoke out on behalf of the cast as they earned Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture
This came just one week after he and Jordan were presenting at the BAFTAs last weekend when a guest with Tourette’s bellowed the word ‘n*****’ at them
Sinners is centered around two brothers who return to their hometown to start again only to discover that an even greater evil – in the form of vampires – is waiting to welcome them back
During his speech, Jordan recognized his mother in a very sweet way as he said: ‘Mom, thank you for driving me back and forth to New York, when we didn’t have enough money to go through the Holland Tunnel.’
The Ryan Coogler written and directed horror flick later earned the top ensemble acting prize over Frankenstein (Netflix), Hamnet (Focus Features), Marty Supreme (A24), and One Battle After Another (Warner Bros).
Delroy Lindo spoke out on behalf of the cast as they earned Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture just one week after he and Jordan were presenting at the BAFTAs last weekend when a guest with Tourette’s bellowed the word ‘n*****’ at them.
John Davidson, whose life story inspired the BAFTA-nominated film I Swear, shouted the expletive while the black actors presented the first prize of the night at the Royal Festive Hall in London this past Sunday.
Lindo later hit out at BAFTA for failing to address the incident with him following the ceremony, saying he wished ‘someone from BAFTA spoke to us afterward.’
Jessie Buckley was in disbelief as she triumphed over the likes of Kate Hudson and Emma Stone to earn the other top acting prize.
The 36-year-old Irish actress was emotional as she earned Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role for her work in Hamnet.
The star-studded field included the aforementioned Hudson for Song Sung Blue and Stone for Bugonia along with Rose Byrne – If I Had Legs I’d Kick You and Chase Infiniti – One Battle After Another.
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Jessie Buckley was in disbelief as she triumphed over the likes of Kate Hudson and Emma Stone to earn the other top acting prize
The Chloé Zhao-directed and written film takes place after Agnes and William Shakespeare (Buckley and Paul Mescal) lose their son Hamnet to the plague and grapple with grief in 16th-century England. Agnes is a healer who must find strength to care for her surviving children while processing her devastating loss
Amy Madigan was a big winner as she was honored in the Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role category for her work in Weapons
The synopsis of the film reads: ‘When all but one child from the same class mysteriously vanish on the same night at exactly the same time, a community is left questioning who or what is behind their disappearance’
The Chloé Zhao-directed and written film takes place after Agnes and William Shakespeare (Buckley and Paul Mescal) lose their son Hamnet to the plague and grapple with grief in 16th-century England, based on the novel of the same name.
Amy Madigan was honored in the Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role category for her work in Weapons.
The 75-year-old actress won over: Odessa A’zion – Marty Supreme, Ariana Grande – Wicked: For Good, Wunmi Mosaku – Sinners, and Teyana Taylor – One Battle After Another.
Sean Penn was not in attendance but he did win Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role for One Battle After Another.
The 65-year-old acting legend won over Miles Caton – Sinners, Benicio Del Toro – One Battle After Another, Jacob Elordi – Frankenstein, and Paul Mescal – Hamnet.
Meanwhile, on the television side, Catherine O’Hara earned a posthumous honor just one month after her tragic death.
The talented Canadian-American actress passed away at 71 on January 30 from a blood clot in her lungs.
O’Hara earned Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Series for her work in The Studio.
Catherine O’Hara earned a posthumous honor at the Actor Awards 2026, formally known as the SAG Awards , on Sunday night just one month after her tragic death
The talented Canadian-American actress (pictured in Ontario back in September 2025) passed away on January 30 at 71 from a blood clot in her lungs known as a pulmonary embolism
Seth Rogen, 43, earned Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series for the same series
The Studio also won the top prize of Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series over Abbott Elementary (ABC), The Bear (FX/Hulu), Hacks (HBO Max), and Only Murders In The Building (Hulu)
In The Studio, O’Hara portrayed Patty Leigh who was the former studio head and mentor of Rogen’s character
In The Studio, O’Hara portrayed Patty Leigh who was the former studio head and mentor of Seth Rogen’s character.
The Apple TV+ series was a massive winner as they swept the comedy categories with a win for Rogen and another for the entire cast.
Rogen, 43, earned Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series.
The Studio also won the top prize of Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series over Abbott Elementary (ABC), The Bear (FX/Hulu), Hacks (HBO Max), and Only Murders In The Building (Hulu).
On the drama television side, it was The Pitt that was the massive winner as Noah Wyle earned a massive honor while the entire cast earned the top honor.
The 54-year-old actor earned Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series for the HBO show.
The Pitt also earned Outstanding performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series over: The Diplomat (Netflix), Landman (Paramount+), Severance (Apple TV), and The White Lotus (HBO).
The drama series is centered around the daily lives of healthcare professionals in a Pittsburgh hospital as they juggle personal crises, workplace politics, and the emotional toll of treating critically ill patients, revealing the resilience required in their noble calling.
On the drama television side, it was The Pitt that was the massive winner as Noah Wyle earned a massive honor while the entire cast earned the top honor
The Pitt also earned Outstanding performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series over: The Diplomat (Netflix), Landman (Paramount+), Severance (Apple TV), and The White Lotus (HBO)
The drama series is centered around the daily lives of healthcare professionals in a Pittsburgh hospital as they juggle personal crises, workplace politics, and the emotional toll of treating critically ill patients, revealing the resilience required in their noble calling
Keri Russell was the first winner at the 32nd Actor Awards 2026, formerly known as the SAG Awards, on Sunday night
In the Diplomat, Russell portrays Katherine ‘Kate’ Wyler who is the newly appointed US Ambassador to the UK after an international crisis despite being not suited for the role as the position makes tectonic shifts for her marriage and political future
Meanwhile, Keri Russell was the first winner at the gala event as she earned the win in the Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series for their work in Netflix’s The Diplomat.
She beat out an impressive field including favorite Rhea Seehorn who has earned several awards for her work in Pluribus.
Also nominated in the category were: Britt Lower – Severance, Parker Posey – The White Lotus , and Aimee Lou Wood – The White Lotus.
In the Diplomat, Russell portrays Katherine ‘Kate’ Wyler who is the newly appointed US Ambassador to the UK after an international crisis despite being not suited for the role as the position makes tectonic shifts for her marriage and political future.
Michelle Williams was another big winner as she earned Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Limited Series
Adolescence is centered around a 13-year-old named Jamie Miller (Cooper) who is accused of the murder of a classmate, his family, therapist and the detective in charge are all left asking what really happened
Michelle Williams was another big winner as she earned Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Limited Series.
The 45-year-old American actress was recognized for her work in FX series Dying For Sex.
Actor Awards 2026 winners
FILM
OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A CAST IN A MOTION PICTURE
Frankenstein (Netflix)
Hamnet (Focus Features)
Marty Supreme (A24)
One Battle After Another (Warner Bros)
Sinners (Warner Bros) – WINNER
Michael B. Jordan led Sinners to two of the biggest wins of the night
OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A FEMALE ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE
Jessie Buckley – Hamnet – WINNER
Rose Byrne – If I Had Legs I’d Kick You
Kate Hudson – Song Sung Blue
Chase Infinity – One Battle After Another
Emma Stone – Bugonia
Jessie Buckley was recognized for her work in Hamnet
OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A MALE ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE
Timothée Chalamet – Marty Supreme
Leonardo DiCaprio – One Battle After Another
Ethan Hawke – Blue Moon
Michael B. Jordan – Sinners – WINNER
Jesse Plemons – Bugonia
OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A MALE ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
Miles Caton – Sinners
Benicio Del Toro – One Battle After Another
Paul Mescal – Hamnet
Sean Penn – One Battle After Another – WINNER
OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A FEMALE ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
Odessa A’zion – Marty Supreme
Ariana Grande – Wicked: For Good
Amy Madigan – Weapons – WINNER
Wunmi Mosaku – Sinners
Teyana Taylor – One Battle After Another
Amy Madigan was honored for her work in thriller Weapons
OUTSTANDING STUNT ENSEMBLE IN A MOTION PICTURE
F1 (Apple Original Films)
Frankenstein (Netflix)
Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning (Paramount) – WINNER
One Battle After Another (Warner Bros)
Sinners (Warner Bros)
TELEVISION
OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY AN ENSEMBLE IN A DRAMA SERIES
Landman (Paramount+)
The Pitt (HBO Max) – WINNER
Severance (Apple TV)
The White Lotus (HBO)
Noah Wyle and The Pitt were massive winners on the television drama side
OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A MALE ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES
Sterling K. Brown – Paradise
Billy Crudup – The Morning Show
Walton Goggins – The White Lotus
Gary Oldman – Slow Horses
Noah Wyle – The Pitt – WINNER
OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A FEMALE ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES
Britt Lower – Severance
Parker Posey – The White Lotus
Keri Russell – The Diplomat – WINNER
Rhea Seehorn – Pluribus
Aimee Lou Wood – The White Lotus
OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY AN ENSEMBLE IN A COMEDY SERIES
Abbott Elementary (ABC)
The Bear (FX/Hulu)
Hacks (HBO Max)
Only Murders in the Building (Hulu)
The Studio (Apple TV) – WINNER
OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A MALE ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES
Ike Barinholtz – The Studio
Adam Brody – Nobody Wants This
Ted Danson – Inside Man
Seth Rogen – The Studio – WINNER
Martin Short – Only Murders in the Building
Seth Rogen’s The Studio swept the television comedy portion
OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A FEMALE ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES
Kathryn Hahn – The Studio
Catherine O’Hara – The Studio – WINNER
Jenna Ortega – Wednesday
Jean Smart – Hacks
Kristen Wiig – Palm Royale
OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A MALE ACTOR IN A TELEVISION MOVIE OR LIMITED SERIES
Jason Bateman – Black Rabbit
Owen Cooper – Adolescence – WINNER
Stephen Graham – Adolescence
Charlie Hunnam – Monster: The Ed Gein Story
Matthew Rhys – The Beast In Me
OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A FEMALE ACTOR IN A TELEVISION MOVIE OR LIMITED SERIES
Claire Danes – The Beast In Me
Erin Doherty – Adolescence
Sarah Snook – All Her Fault
Christine Tremarco – Adolescence
Michelle Williams – Dying For Sex – WINNER
OUTSTANDING STUNT ENSEMBLE IN A TELEVISION SERIES
Andor (Disney+)
Landman (Paramount+)
The Last of Us (HBO) – WINNER
Squid Game (Netflix)
Stranger Things (Netflix)