Netflix star Erin Doherty has enjoyed a spectacular awards season, but one critic remained unimpressed: her mother. The actress, who shot to fame playing Princess Anne in The Crown, revealed she was given a stern telling-off for swearing during her emotional Emmy Award acceptance speech.
From Hollywood High to a Humbling Call
Fresh from winning both a Golden Globe and an Emmy for her leading role in the hit drama Adolescence, 33-year-old Doherty appeared on BBC's The Graham Norton Show. She shared the spotlight with fellow guest Sir Idris Elba, but it was a story about her mum that truly captivated the audience.
Doherty explained that after the whirlwind Los Angeles ceremony, she returned to the UK and excitedly FaceTimed her sister to celebrate. "My mum just happened to be there, and we were all like cheering," she said. However, the festive mood was quickly dampened when her mother interjected.
"Could Have Done Without the Swearing"
"She just butted her head in and was like 'can I just say' – she was very serious," Doherty recounted to Norton and the studio audience. "'I could have done without the swearing'." The actress was momentarily stunned, trophy still in hand. "I was like 'what's going on?... mum this is a thing'. And she was like, 'yeah, great, well done, could have done without the swearing'."
When pressed by Idris Elba about what exactly she had said on stage, Doherty recalled her exuberant moment. "I think I just called everyone like, f****g stunning or something like that," she admitted. "Cate Blanchett was right there and I was like she's f*****g stunning." The exchange concluded with a promise to her mother: "I had words with my mum and she was like if you get up on stage again you can't swear and I was like ok, I'll make you a promise."
A New Chapter in London
While navigating parental feedback on her awards etiquette, Doherty is also embracing significant personal change. Reports confirm that the award-winning actress has moved from West Sussex to London to live with her girlfriend, NHS radiographer Sinead Donnelly.
Doherty, who split from ex-girlfriend Sophie Melville in 2023, explained her romantic decision. "As much as I loved getting on the trains and going to see her and spend days in London, I also wanted to wake up next to her," she said. Addressing the swift move, she added, "People say it's a cliché lesbian thing to move in straight away. But I just thought, 'I really think I should move in'. I just love her."
The actress's career continues to ascend following her gripping performance in Adolescence, proving that even Emmy-winning stars are not immune to a classic maternal scolding.
