Erin Doherty nabs 1st Emmy for Netflix sensation 'Adolescence'
15 Sep 2025

Erin Doherty, who plays psychologist Briony Ariston in the Netflix miniseries Adolescence, has bagged her first Emmy Award.

She won the award for Outstanding Supporting Actress for her performance in Episode 3 of the show.

In the intense episode, Ariston evaluates Jamie Miller's (Owen Cooper) mental state and understanding of his guilt.

Earlier during the ceremony, Cooper also nabbed his first Emmy Award for the show.

The episode was transformed into a 'Mamet play'
Creative transformation

Stephen Graham, the executive producer, co-writer, and star of Adolescence, tasked his collaborator Jack Thorne with transforming this episode into a "Mamet play."

The makers had to overcome several structural and logistical challenges to ensure that viewers are completely absorbed in the dialogue between Ariston and Miller.

Despite only appearing in one of the four episodes, Doherty's performance was pivotal in conveying the emotions of this intense story.

Each episode of the series was shot in a single take.

Doherty on filming the intense episode
Actor's insight

Doherty described her experience of filming the episode as "so intense and claustrophobic."

She earlier told IndieWire, "It was so intense and claustrophobic being in that room together, and the whole thing just required us to be present and to bounce off each other."

"I think your body can't distinguish from what is true and what is false. Genuinely, we created such an authentic, horrible environment that I just remember being so grateful to have come to an end."

Her monumental win at the Emmys
Career highlight

Doherty's Emmy win is a significant milestone in her career. This was her first nomination and win at the Emmys.

She has also been nominated for Gotham TV and Astra TV awards for Adolescence.

Earlier, she won a Screen Actors Guild award as part of The Crown's Season 3 ensemble cast for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble.