Meet Owen Cooper: 15-year-old becomes youngest Emmy winner for Adolescence on Netflix

Fifteen-year-old Owen Cooper made history at the 2025 Emmy Awards, becoming the youngest male actor ever to win a Primetime Emmy. His portrayal of 13-year-old Jamie Miller, a schoolboy arrested for murder in the Netflix drama Adolescence, earned widespread acclaim.

First acting role, instant acclaim

Cooper won Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie, defeating seasoned actors including Oscar-winner Javier Bardem. Remarkably, this was his first-ever professional acting role.

From drama classes to Emmy stage

“Honestly, I didn’t expect to be here in the United States when I started drama classes a few years ago. Tonight proves that if you step out of your comfort zone, anything is possible,” Cooper told the audience.

A series that goes beyond the mystery

Adolescence, which has already drawn over 141 million views on Netflix, explores why Jamie’s life took a dark turn rather than focusing on a whodunit. Stephen Graham plays his father, Christine Tremarco his mother, and Amelie Pease his sister.

Impressing the experts

Cooper’s performance, filmed in one-take sequences, impressed director Philip Barantini and co-creator Stephen Graham. “He just absolutely blew me away,” Barantini said. “Actors train for years and still can’t master what Owen has done naturally—being truthful and in the moment.”

Praise from co-stars

Erin Doherty, who won her first Emmy for Adolescence, called it “genuinely scary” to watch Cooper’s character shift from innocence to anger. “I’m so proud of him,” she added.

From Warrington to Netflix stardom

Born in Warrington, England, Cooper initially wanted to be a footballer. He discovered acting at The Drama Mob in Manchester. Chosen from over 500 auditions, he filmed Adolescence at just 14.

Who is Owen Cooper?

Cooper has rapidly risen to fame for his debut role as Jamie Miller, earning praise as one of the most impressive child actor debuts in recent memory.

Acting career so far

Before Adolescence, Cooper had only taken a few years of acting lessons, inspired by Tom Holland’s performance in The Impossible. After joining a small agency, he submitted a self-tape for Adolescence and was selected from over 500 auditions.

Series co-creator and co-star Stephen Graham called Cooper’s discovery the show’s “biggest achievement,” praising his natural talent, courage, and ability to handle intense emotional scenes.

Record-breaking Emmy win

For his role in Adolescence, Cooper became the youngest male actor ever to win a Primetime Emmy.

What’s next for Owen Cooper?

Cooper will play the young Heathcliff in Emerald Fennell’s upcoming Wuthering Heights (2026) and appear in the BBC Three series Film Club.

At just 15, Owen Cooper has proven that a remarkable debut can reshape a career—and make Emmy history.