Owen Cooper went from weekly drama classes in Warrington, England, to starring in a Netflix series within a couple of years. His role in “Adolescence” brought him significant recognition at just 15 years old, marking an unusually fast entry into professional acting.
What makes his story noteworthy isn’t just the quick trajectory. It’s that he had no prior professional experience—just weekly drama classes that started as a hobby when he was around 13.
How a Football Dream Became an Acting Career
Growing up in Warrington, a city between Liverpool and Manchester, Owen initially wanted to be a professional footballer. Liverpool FC was his team, and like many English boys, he imagined himself playing at that level someday.
Around age 13, something shifted. He asked his parents if he could try acting classes. They were surprised but supportive.
He joined The Drama Mob, a Manchester-based drama school co-founded by “Coronation Street” actress Tina O’Brien. Classes were once a week, just an hour on Tuesdays. Students would get script pages and read them aloud.
“I was just doing it for a hobby and didn’t expect much from it,” he told Variety in a March 2025 interview. His family had no connection to entertainment—his mother works as a carer, his father in IT, and both his older brothers are electricians.
According to his verified IMDb profile, Tom Holland’s performance in “The Impossible” (2012) sparked his interest in acting. Watching a fellow British actor around his age do something compelling on screen made it seem achievable.
Landing the Role in “Adolescence”
The “Adolescence” team approached The Drama Mob looking for northern actors. They asked to see audition tapes from the school’s students. Owen was selected from a large pool of auditions to play Jamie Miller, a 13-year-old boy arrested for murdering a female classmate.
The Netflix miniseries films each episode in one continuous shot—no cuts, no safety net. For someone with zero professional experience, this was a challenging first role.
Stephen Graham, who plays his father in the series, was involved in the casting process. After Owen’s audition, Graham reportedly expressed confidence in his ability.
Filming ran from July to October 2024. Owen was 14 years old, still attending school, working alongside established actors on a project that required extensive preparation for each episode.
Quick Facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Owen Patrick Cooper |
| Date of Birth | December 5, 2009 |
| Age | 16 years old (as of January 2026) |
| Birthplace | Warrington, Cheshire, England |
| Nationality | British |
| Profession | Actor |
| Known For | Jamie Miller in “Adolescence” (Netflix) |
| Years Active | 2024-Present |
| Height | Not publicly disclosed |
| Siblings | Two older brothers |
| Relationship Status | Private |
| Net Worth | Not publicly available |
When the Show Premiered
“Adolescence” premiered on Netflix in March 2025. The series performed well on Netflix’s viewership charts. Critics responded positively to Owen’s debut performance.
The Evening Standard praised his work. Director Philip Barantini told Variety: “Actors train for years and still can’t master what Owen has mastered, which is basically just being in the moment and listening and being truthful.”
One scene gained attention online—during an interrogation, Owen yawns spontaneously. His co-star Erin Doherty improvises a retort, and he responds naturally, staying in character.
Awards and Recognition
His Golden Globe win for Supporting Actor was later confirmed by Variety, which reported the award in its official coverage of the 2026 Golden Globe results
Owen won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie in September 2025. At 15 years old, he became one of the youngest actors to receive this recognition.
In his acceptance speech, he emphasized how far Hollywood felt from Warrington. “Standing up here is just so surreal. Honestly, when I started these drama classes a couple years back, I didn’t expect to even be in the United States, let alone 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.”
According to coverage on Biography.com, he also received the Critics Choice Award and the Gotham TV Award for Outstanding Supporting Performance in a Limited Series.
What Comes Next
He’s filmed Emerald Fennell’s adaptation of “Wuthering Heights,” playing young Heathcliff. The film stars Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi.
Working alongside established actors on a major studio production marked his second professional job. He told Variety he’s adjusting to traditional filmmaking after the one-shot intensity of “Adolescence.”
He’s also appeared in BBC Three’s “Film Club” (2025), a romantic comedy-drama with Aimee Lou Wood and Ralph Davis. In May 2025, he was featured in Sam Fender’s music video for “Little Bit Closer.”
His social media following has grown substantially since “Adolescence” premiered. As reported on E! Online, he has received recognition from various industry award bodies.
Private Life Away From Cameras
He lives in Orford, Cheshire, a suburb of Warrington, with his family. His parents and two older brothers have stayed out of the spotlight.
He’s a devoted Liverpool FC fan. His favorite player is Trent Alexander-Arnold, and he once delivered the match ball at a Super League rugby match between Warrington Wolves and Hull F.C.
There’s no public information about romantic relationships. He maintains privacy around personal matters while being open about his work.
What Makes This Different From Typical Paths
Most actors build experience gradually through years of small roles. Owen went from weekly hobby classes to a lead role in a Netflix series filmed in one continuous take per episode.
The technical difficulty of one-shot filming requires extensive dialogue memorization and precise timing while maintaining emotional authenticity. He managed this at 14 with no prior professional experience.
His working-class background also differs from many actors’ paths into the industry. His family has no entertainment connections. He’s the first in his family to pursue acting professionally.
In interviews, he focuses on the work itself rather than fame. When asked about future plans, he told Dazed magazine: “Hopefully I’ll still be working with amazing people and doing exactly what I’m doing right now.”
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