Adolescence star Owen Cooper becomes youngest male Emmy winner

Netflix limited series Adolescence is the TV show the entire world was talking about when it was released earlier this year.

As Stephen Graham and Jack Thorne's creation has more than 124 million views and received rave reviews from critics and viewers, it went on to be nominated at the Emmys for a massive 13 awards.

Owen Cooper makes Emmy history

Following the announcement of the Emmy nominations in July 2025, not only did the limited series receive 13 nominations, it made history with its Best Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie nomination for Owen Cooper.

This huge nomination for the then-15-year-old actor made history as Owen is now the youngest actor to ever receive a nomination in that category. Owen was nominated in that category alongside Ashley Walters, who played DI Luke Bascombe in the hard-hitting drama.

However, on 14th September 2025, Owen went one further, going on to win the award and make history again, this time becoming the youngest-ever male Emmy winner.

Picking up his award onstage, Owen said: "Honestly, when I started these drama classes a couple years back, I didn't expect to be even in the United States, never mind here.

"But I think tonight proves that if you listen and you focus and you step out of your comfort zone, you can achieve anything in life.

"It says my name on the statue, but it really belongs to all of the people who worked on the show."

Owen wasn't the only star from the show to pick up an Emmy Award. Actor and writer Stephen Graham picked up two awards for his role, one in the 'Outstanding lead actor in a limited or anthology series or movie' category.

Stephen also won alongside Jack Thorne, in the 'Outstanding writing for a limited or anthology series or movie'.

What is Adolescence about?

The four-part hard-hitting series, which is filmed in a continuous one-shot style, has been dubbed one of the best TV shows ever made. It particularly received huge praise for 16-year-old Owen Cooper (then 15), who played the lead role of Jamie Miller, a 13-year-old boy who is accused of murdering a girl at his school.

Who is Owen Cooper?

Unbelievably, Adolescence is Owen's first major acting role, and his performance in the show, especially episode three alongside actress Emmy nominated Erin Doherty, received high praise with many saying he deserves to win all of the awards possible.

One viewer wrote: 'The young boy deserves a serious award, his performance was outstanding as Jamie. Stephen Graham is always elite and he should also win an award. All actors in this were fantastic, what an amazing production. 🔥🙌👏'. (sic)

Another added: 'The whole cast were phenomenal, but what an Incredible performance by Owen Cooper. Very talented young man. 👏🏽👏🏽'. (sic)

A third wrote: 'The kid had never acted before & does things really difficult for professionals - he listens like he’s done it for years, & listen to him talk about it 😨', with another writing: 'His acting is unbelievable! 👏👏👏'. (sic)

How he was discovered

Upon answering questions about the series, Netflix bosses revealed the third episode was actually shot first, meaning that intense scene was Owen's first ever time on set.

Revealing how they discovered him, bosses said: 'Owen was one of hundreds of potential Jamies seen by casting director Shaheen Baig – he was first spotted after sending in a self-taped improv scene. After a few more callbacks and workshops Owen had a chemistry read with Stephen Graham. Guess that must have gone pretty well!

'As has been well documented, this is somehow Owen’s first ever acting role – with Episode 3 (the first episode shot) being his first time on a set.'

Owen Cooper's audition tapes

Netflix bosses have now shared a look at Owen's audition tapes for the series, showing transitions from his audition to the actual scenes.

The social post reads: '@owencoooper's incredible audition for Adolescence 💯'.

Check out photos from Netflix drama Adolescence below:

His acting inspiration

During an interview with Variety, Owen revealed watching Tom Holland's performance in 2012 blockbuster The Impossible inspired him get into acting, and his next role is in Emerald Fennell's upcoming adaptation of Wuthering Heights, with Jacob Elordi and Margot Robbie.

Speaking about how Stephen Graham has supported him, Owen revealed Stephen recommended his agent, who actually watched one of the episodes being filmed.

He said: "I got Wuthering Heights from that! But it's been going really well. I've really enjoyed it. Obviously it not one-shot anymore! So I'm getting used to that. But it's been amazing. Emerald's lovely."

What has Stephen Graham said about him?

During an interview with The Independent, actor and show creator Stephen Graham confessed the rise of Owen Cooper has been the show's 'biggest achievement'.

He said: “We always want to try and create opportunities for people who may not normally have those opportunities.

“From the very beginning it was a conscious decision by the team that we wanted someone who didn't have much experience. Like we did find little Tommo This is England star Thomas Thurgoose all those years ago.

“We wanted someone who didn't have a lot of experience, but we knew that what we were doing and what we were trying to ask this young person to do was cosmic in many ways. It's a huge undertaking, but we cast Owen, who had no experience, he'd done a couple of little theatre workshops, and he was just starting to do little bits in school.”

Adolescence is out on Netflix now.

Now read:

Netflix answer most asked questions about hard-hitting new drama Adolescence

The best TV shows and films with Stephen Graham in

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