It was a night of glittering gowns, rising stars and career-defining accolades in Los Angeles — but for former Coronation Street favourite Katy Cavanagh,

the 32nd Annual Actor Awards was about something far more personal. The actress, best known to millions for her warm-hearted portrayal of Julie Carp on the ITV soap,

stepped onto the red carpet at the Shrine Auditorium & Expo Hall not as a Weatherfield regular — but as a fiercely proud mother. At her side was 12-year-old rising star Jacobi Jupe,

whose haunting performance in the literary adaptation Hamnet has quickly marked him as one of the industry’s most compelling young talents.

From Weatherfield to Hollywood

Cavanagh, 52, looked worlds away from the cobbles of Weatherfield as she embraced full Hollywood glamour. Her black sequinned gown shimmered beneath the California lights, its elegant boat neckline offering classic sophistication. Emerald earrings added a striking pop of colour, while a bold red lip completed the look — polished, poised, and unmistakably proud.

Yet the true sparkle of the evening radiated from the mother-and-son bond on display.

Jacobi, dressed in a gold sequinned blazer paired with sleek black trousers and a coordinating top, cut a confident and charismatic figure. At just 12, he carried himself with remarkable composure — a young performer already comfortable in the high-stakes world of awards season.

And this was no ordinary red carpet appearance. Jacobi plays the titular role in Hamnet, a deeply emotional retelling of the life and death of William Shakespeare’s son, who died at the age of 11 — a tragedy widely believed to have inspired Hamlet. The film has become one of the season’s most talked-about prestige projects, earning widespread critical acclaim.

A Family Affair in Shakespearean Proportions

Adding another poignant layer to the story is the fact that Jacobi’s older brother, Noah Jupe, 20, also stars in the film. Noah portrays an actor performing Hamlet in Shakespeare’s play — a subtle but powerful echo of the Bard’s personal grief.

For Cavanagh, watching both sons inhabit roles so intricately linked to one of literature’s greatest tragedies has been nothing short of extraordinary.

Once known primarily as a beloved soap actress, she has quietly stepped into a new role behind the scenes — embracing the title of “momager” with grace and determination. Balancing guidance with protection, she supports both sons as they navigate an industry that can be as unforgiving as it is rewarding.

The emotional resonance of Hamnet makes the achievement even more profound. Jacobi’s portrayal of Shakespeare’s lost child is said to be tender, restrained and heartbreakingly authentic — a performance that has drawn comparisons to seasoned veterans far beyond his years.

A Rebranded Night of Prestige

This year’s ceremony marked a historic shift for the awards show itself. Formerly known as the Screen Actors Guild Awards, the event has officially rebranded as The Actor Awards — a move designed to align more closely with its iconic statuette, “The Actor,” and sharpen its global identity.

Streaming live on Netflix, the ceremony celebrated excellence across 28 categories spanning film, television and limited series. Each category featured six nominees, with the exception of Cinematic and Box Office Achievement, which showcased eight contenders.

Returning as host for the third time was Kristen Bell, who previously helmed the ceremony in 2018 and 2025. Showrunner and executive producer Jon Brockett described her return as “welcoming back a member of the family — one you actually want to hang out with,” underscoring the warm, peer-driven spirit of the event.

A Competitive Field

Jacobi, 12, cut a dapper figure in a gold sequinned blazer which he wore with a smart black trousers and top

Julie has reinvented herself as a showbiz ‘momager’ – a combination of mum and manager – as he also supports eldest son Noah, 20

On the film side, One Battle After Another led the nominations with seven, followed by Sinners with five. The race for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role featured industry heavyweights including Leonardo DiCaprio, Timothée Chalamet, Michael B. Jordan, Ethan Hawke, and Jesse Plemons.

Meanwhile, the Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role category saw fierce competition from Jessie Buckley for Hamnet, alongside Kate Hudson, Emma Stone, and others.

In supporting categories, nominations included Benicio Del Toro, Sean Penn, Jacob Elordi, Paul Mescal, and Ariana Grande — a blend of seasoned legends and new-generation icons.

But amid the A-list names and industry titans, Jacobi Jupe’s presence signaled something equally powerful: the arrival of the next wave.

A Moment Bigger Than Awards

While accolades and nominations dominate headlines, what made this evening unforgettable was the emotional undercurrent woven through it. For Katy Cavanagh, this was not simply a glamorous Hollywood outing — it was the culmination of years of dedication, support and quiet resilience.

Fans who once watched her navigate the ups and downs of Julie Carp’s life in Weatherfield now see her navigating an entirely different stage — one lit not by studio lamps in Manchester but by the flashbulbs of Los Angeles.

There is something beautifully cyclical about it. A mother who built her career in one of Britain’s most enduring dramas now watches her sons carve paths in global cinema — one portraying Shakespeare’s lost child, the other embodying the legacy that loss inspired.

The Power of Legacy

The story of Hamnet is ultimately about grief, love and artistic transformation. In many ways, the Jupe family’s red carpet moment felt like a living testament to that same theme — the passing of creative passion from one generation to the next.

For Coronation Street viewers, seeing Cavanagh shine in this new chapter is both nostalgic and inspiring. She may have left the cobbles behind, but the grounded warmth that defined her character remains unmistakable.

As awards season continues and the spotlight grows brighter on Jacobi and Noah, one thing is certain: behind every rising star stands a foundation of unwavering support.

And on this glittering Los Angeles evening, Katy Cavanagh stood tall — not as a soap icon, but as every inch the proud mum.