The hit Netflix drama Adolescence completed its winning streak through awards season as it won top prizes at the Bafta Television Awards, where Celebrity Traitors also triumphed.
Adolescence Dominates
The series, about a teenage boy accused of a terrible crime, was named best limited drama. Stars Stephen Graham, Christine Tremarco, and Owen Cooper all won awards: Graham for best leading actor, Tremarco for supporting actress, and Cooper for supporting actor.
Graham, who co-wrote the script with Jack Thorne, has won a string of awards for his performance but never a Bafta. Speaking on stage, he said: "I might take my time. I've been nominated eight times and this is the first time I've won. Nice one Bafta, this is lovely." He recalled childhood inspiration from TV show Scully and urged young people: "No matter where you're from, anything is possible."
Cooper, 16, who has also been unbeatable through awards season, won the first prize of the night. He said: "A year ago, I was presenting an award and now I'm collecting one. This is a bit mad." He quoted John Lennon, saying: "You won't get anything unless you have the vision to imagine it."
Tremarco, who played Cooper's mother, said: "I feel so privileged to be standing up here holding this Bafta. I hold this Bafta high." The show also won two prizes at the Bafta Craft Awards last weekend.
Celebrity Traitors Shines
Celebrity Traitors won best reality award and the memorable moment prize for Alan Carr's treacherous victory. Carr joked: "Was I good? Or were the other celebrities just thick?" He dedicated the award to Paloma Faith, saying: "There is no-one else I would rather murder than you." The audible fart by Celia Imrie during the show became a recurring gag throughout the ceremony.
Other Winners
Comedy show Last One Laughing won two awards: entertainment programme and entertainment performance for Bob Mortimer. BBC comedy Amandaland scored best scripted comedy. The leading actress Bafta went to Narges Rashidi for her portrayal of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe in Prisoner 951. She dedicated the prize to the British-Iranian woman and her family, saying: "Your resilience, your dignity, your love through impossible circumstances have moved us all."
Leading actress in a comedy was won by Katherine Parkinson for Here We Go, while leading actor in a comedy was won by Steve Coogan for How Are You? It's Alan (Partridge). Coogan pledged to play Partridge for the rest of his life, saying: "Doing comedy in these troubled times is so important."
EastEnders was named best soap, and US comedy The Studio won best international. Code Of Silence, starring Rose Ayling-Ellis, called on the television industry to improve representation.
Special Awards
TV chef Dame Mary Berry was honoured with the Bafta fellowship, saying: "I'm really bowled over by this accolade." Consumer champion Martin Lewis received the special award, dedicating it to consumer journalism. He reflected on his difficult childhood, saying: "Life can be transformed, it can get better."
Gaza: Doctors Under Attack won the current affairs Bafta. Executive producer Ben de Pear questioned the BBC's decision to shelve the documentary. Grenfell: Uncovered was awarded single documentary, and director Olaide Sadiq said the victims "deserve justice."
