Ashley Walters Earns First Emmy Nomination for Role in Netflix’s ‘Adolescence’

Ashley Walters, best known for his extensive acting career and music background, has earned his first-ever Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie for his performance in the Netflix hit Adolescence.

The announcement was made on Tuesday, as Adolescence emerged as one of the standout productions of the year with an impressive 13 Emmy nominations. Walters received his nod for his compelling portrayal of Detective Inspector Luke Bascombe, sharing the spotlight in the same category as his co-star, Owen Cooper.

Should Cooper, just 15 years old, win the award, he will become the youngest-ever male Emmy winner in the 76-year history of the prestigious television awards.

‘This Means the World to Me’ – Walters Reflects on Nomination
In response to the recognition, Walters, 43, shared an emotional and heartfelt statement:

“This is such an honour. This nomination means the world to me — not just as recognition, but as a reminder of how far I’ve come.

It’s for everyone who stood by me through the highs and the lows, who believed in me when I needed it most.

It’s a testament to the power of perseverance. Dreams are important — but it’s the hard work, the setbacks, the growth, and the consistency that make them real.

Five years ago, this felt out of reach. Today, I’m incredibly proud — not just for myself, but to stand alongside a group of artists I admire deeply.

Thank you to the Emmys for this nomination. To my wife and kids — thank you for grounding me and giving me purpose. To my family and friends, for being my foundation. To my team, who’ve worked tirelessly behind the scenes. And to the entire cast and crew — thank you for your brilliance and your heart. This moment is for all of us.”

Adolescence Highlights Social Media's Impact on Teenagers
Adolescence, a four-part limited series, delves into the dark undercurrents of modern teenage life. The show explores how teenager Jamie Miller becomes radicalised through online content, particularly with regard to his perception of women. The narrative also sheds light on the excessive influence of social media among school-aged children.

The success of the series has not only brought critical acclaim but has also inspired Walters to reflect on his parenting approach. He revealed that filming the show led him to limit his youngest son's screen time.

“We’re really about uplifting and supporting the things they love. He’s an animator, so he spends a lot of time on his iPad using animation software. But sometimes he’s not animating when we think he is.

We’ve been very conscious of that and drawn back on screen time. Half the week, he can’t even touch his device. And actually, it’s about me stepping in as a dad and saying, ‘Let’s go fishing, let’s do more stuff,’ so he doesn’t want to be on it all the time.”

Walters continued by saying:

“No one wants to be the ogre parent who shuts everything down. You don’t want them to feel isolated from their peers. But this show has helped parents across the world say, ‘Forget that – Adolescence shows what could happen. Let’s start having the conversation.’ That’s a good thing.”

Adolescence Among Emmy Frontrunners
The Netflix drama has been nominated for Best Limited or Anthology Series, competing against notable titles including:

• Black Mirror

• Dying for Sex

• Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story

• The Penguin

Key Emmy Categories – Selected Nominees for 2025
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie

• Ashley Walters – Adolescence

• Owen Cooper – Adolescence

• Javier Bardem – Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story

• Bill Camp – Presumed Innocent

• Rob Delaney – Dying for Sex

• Peter Sarsgaard – Presumed Innocent

Outstanding Drama Series

• Andor

• The Diplomat

• The Last of Us

• Paradise

• The Pitt

• Severance

• Slow Horses

• The White Lotus

Outstanding Comedy Series

• Abbott Elementary

• The Bear

• Hacks

• Nobody Wants This

• Only Murders in the Building

• Shrinking

• The Studio

• What We Do in the Shadows

The 76th Emmy Awards will be held later this year, honouring excellence across television and streaming platforms. With Adolescence leading the way for limited series, all eyes will be on whether Walters and his castmates can turn nominations into victories.