At the 77th Emmy Awards ceremony on the evening of 14/9 in Los Angeles (morning of 15/9 Hanoi time), Owen Cooper triumphed over notable names like Javier Bardem, Bill Camp, and Peter Sarsgaard.

"This moment is incredible," Cooper said. "A few years ago, when I first started acting classes, I never imagined I would set foot in America, let alone hold an Emmy. But tonight, this award proves that if you listen, focus, and dare to step outside your comfort zone, you can achieve anything. For the past three years, nobody knew me, but now I'm here."

British actor Owen Cooper wins Outstanding Supporting Actor at the 2025 Emmys. Photo: AFP

British actor Owen Cooper wins Outstanding Supporting Actor at the 2025 Emmys. Photo: AFP

Experts consider the character of Jamie Miller the British talent's breakout role. Jamie is accused of murdering a classmate, turning his family's life upside down, especially his father, Eddie Miller (played by Stephen Graham). Through his eyes, trembling gestures, and moments of silence, Owen Cooper portrays a teenager grappling with trauma and inner conflict. The Evening Standard wrote, "A superb performance from a young actor."

Born on 5/13/2009, in Warrington, northeast England, Cooper initially aspired to be a professional football player due to his admiration for Liverpool Football Club. After watching "The Impossible" (2012), starring Tom Holland, he decided to try acting, attending weekly classes at The Drama Mob in Manchester. His teacher, Alex Edge, recognized his natural improvisational skills.

Following "Adolescence," Cooper has attracted the attention of numerous producers. In March, he was cast as young Heathcliff in the film adaptation of "Wuthering Heights," set to release in 2026. He has also completed a role in "Film Club," alongside Aimee Lou Wood and Ralph Davis, expected to air later this year.

Trailer for "Adolescence." Video: Netflix

In addition to Cooper's win, "Adolescence" was honored in five categories: Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series, Outstanding Lead Actor (Stephen Graham), Outstanding Writing (Stephen Graham and Jack Thorne), Outstanding Directing (Philip Barantini), and Outstanding Supporting Actress (Erin Doherty). The series explores the psychological aspects of adolescence, particularly trauma in the digital age, questioning the family's role in protecting children from online dangers.

In the drama category, HBO Max's "The Pitt" won three awards, including Outstanding Drama Series. The series centers on the lives and work of doctors and staff at the Pittsburgh Trauma Center, exploring professional conflicts and the pressures of facing critical situations.

"Severance," this year's leading Emmy nominee with 27 nominations, won two acting awards for Outstanding Lead Actress and Outstanding Supporting Actor. This science fiction series revolves around employees at Lumon Industries who undergo a procedure called "severance," separating their work memories from their outside lives. This creates two selves within each person: the "innies" who only know about work, and the "outies" who live in the outside world.

Trailer for "Severance" season two. Video: Apple TV+

Blending workplace themes with social commentary, "Severance" explores personal identity and psychology in a demanding work environment. Season two delves into the psychological consequences and conflicts between innies and outies, revealing more of Lumon Industries' secrets and the relationship between Mark and Helly.

The New York Times praised Britt Lower's bold and rebellious portrayal of Helly, showcasing her acting prowess and conveying the character's dynamism and determination, adding depth to the series.

Tramell Tillman became the first Black actor to win Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for his role as Seth Milchick in "Severance." Variety called his win a surprise, beating strong contenders like John Turturro, Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Sam Rockwell ("The White Lotus"), and James Marsden ("Paradise"). Seth Milchick, the company's manager and the main antagonist, uses various tactics to enforce company rules. His unsettling smile contributes to the series' eerie atmosphere.

"The Studio," a satire of Hollywood as a business machine, won Outstanding Comedy Series and three other awards. Having previously won nine awards at the Creative Arts Emmys, it became the most Emmy-awarded comedy series ever. On stage, Seth Rogen, the series' co-creator and star, said, "I've never won anything in my life. I don't know what to say, it feels pretty good. Thank you guys, I appreciate it."

Trailer for "The Studio." Video: Apple TV+

The 77th Emmy Awards took place at the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles, hosted by comedian Nate Bargatze. According to Deadline, the event opened with a comedy segment but quickly proved dull and uninspired compared to previous years.

A highlight was the standing ovation for Stephen Colbert when he won Outstanding Talk Show for "The Late Show With Stephen Colbert." In July, CBS announced the show's cancellation in 5/2026 due to financial difficulties. The award recognized Colbert and his team's contributions to late-night television.

This year's Emmys included political moments, such as artists wearing pro-Palestine attire and Hannah Einbinder criticizing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in her acceptance speech.

The In Memoriam segment honored director and screenwriter David Lynch, known for his surreal style in classics like "Twin Peaks," "Blue Velvet," and "Mulholland Drive," leaving a lasting impact on American film and television.

>>> List of 77th Emmy Award winners

The Emmys, America's most prestigious television awards, are one of the "big four" in performing arts awards, alongside the Oscars (film), Grammys (music), and Tonys (theater). First held in 1/1949, the event is annual, except for 2021 due to the pandemic. The 2023 Emmys were postponed to early 2024 due to the Hollywood writers' strike.

Que Chi (Variety, Hollywood Reporter)