Owen Cooper Becomes Youngest Male Emmy Winner for Role in Netflix Drama ‘Adolescence’

Owen Cooper, the 15-year-old star of Netflix’s mini-series ‘Adolescence,’ has made history as the youngest male to win an Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actor. His teachers at Drama MOB, a Manchester-based acting school, described him as a natural talent with energy, improvisational skills, and the resilience to perform even when things go wrong. Cooper was cast at age 14 in his first professional role as Jamie Miller, a 13-year-old boy arrested for the murder of a classmate. The series, co-written by Stephen Graham and Jack Thorne, was shot in continuous single takes, demanding exceptional focus and performance from the cast. Cooper’s portrayal has been praised for its naturalism and emotional depth, particularly in scenes with his on-screen father. The show has sparked conversations about misogyny and online safety, gained international popularity on Netflix, and received recognition from political figures including Prime Minister Kier Starmer. In addition to his Emmy, Cooper and the series have won two National Television Awards. Despite his rising fame, Cooper will return to school to complete his GCSEs, reflecting his grounded and local upbringing. His teachers expressed confidence in his promising future in acting.