Erin Doherty took home the 2025 Emmy Award for Best Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie, honoring her remarkable performance in Netflix's *Adolescence*. “Wow, it seems like I’m just going to keep raving about *Adolescence* and Owen Cooper for the rest of my days—and honestly, there are far worse fates,” Doherty quipped in her heartfelt acceptance speech. “I’d love to name every single person who poured their heart and soul into this show, because it truly was the epitome of teamwork. But I simply can’t stand here without acknowledging Stephen Graham and Hannah Walters. Your generosity knows no bounds.”
She continued, her voice brimming with emotion, “This award is dedicated to my incredible sister Grace. Without you, none of this would be possible. I love you with every fiber of my being.”
Doherty faced fierce competition for the award, with nominees including Ruth Negga (*Presumed Innocent*), Deirdre O’Connell (*The Penguin*), Chloë Sevigny (*Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story*), Jenny Slate (*Dying for Sex*), and her own co-star Christine Tremarco (*Adolescence*). This Emmy marked Doherty’s first win, a milestone in her already stellar career.
In *Adolescence*, Doherty portrays Briony Ariston, a clinical psychologist tasked with conducting the pivotal pre-trial evaluation of 13-year-old Jamie Miller (played by Owen Cooper), a boy accused of murder. Earlier that evening, Cooper himself claimed the Emmy for Best Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie, adding to the show’s sweeping success. The psychological drama also secured Emmys for Best Limited Series, Directing, and Writing, amassing a total of six wins.
Doherty had previously shared her experience working alongside Cooper—particularly remarkable given it was his acting debut—with *The Hollywood Reporter*. “I hope I gave him even a fraction of what he gave me,” she reflected. “He rekindled that pure, unbridled passion for the craft. Children surrender to the moment so effortlessly, far more than adults ever do. His presence reignited my love for acting in its most authentic form.”
Pausing thoughtfully, she added, “He’s 11 years younger than me, so I’ve watched him navigate his own adolescence—the challenges, the triumphs, all of it. And I think that authenticity was essential in bringing hope to the dynamic between Briony and Jamie.”
