15-year-old Owen Cooper, who has gained worldwide recognition for his stellar performance in the British crime drama series Adolescence, released on Netflix, is set to become the youngest nominee in Emmy history. Cooper, who plays Jamie Miller in the series, is nominated for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series category. If he gets nominated, the 76-year-old would become the youngest nominee in Emmy history in this category. Moreover, if he wins, he would break the record of Scott Jacoby, who won the Emmy at 16 in 1973 for That Certain Summer, and become the youngest winner.
Adolescence is an emotional journey
Premiering on Netflix in March 2025, Adolescence tells the story of 13-year-old Jamie Miller (Owen Cooper), who is accused of murdering his classmate. The four-episode crime drama, co-written by Stephen Graham and Jack Thorne, is directed by Philip Barantini. Each episode is shot in a single take, transforming the cinematic experience into a theatrical one, drawing viewers into Jamie’s emotional journey through the British justice system. The series, which raises key questions about incel culture, male violence, and the pressures of social media, has received critical acclaim, earning a 98% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Owen Cooper: A Star is Born
15-year-old Owen Cooper from Warrington, with no prior acting experience, was chosen by casting director Shaheen Baig from 500 children. His role as Jamie—an emotionally vulnerable, unpredictable teenager—surprised critics and audiences alike. His performance, particularly in the third episode, was met with rave reviews. His audition tape went viral online, with fans commenting that “this kid is going to be a big star in the future” and “his performance, which goes from innocent to angry in a minute, scared the hell out of me.”
Stephen Graham, the series co-creator and actor who plays Jamie’s father, Eddie Miller, hailed Cooper as “the talent of a generation,” describing him as “the next Robert De Niro.” Graham, recalling his experience working with Cooper on The One Show, said, “He came into the workshop and blew me away.”
A strategic move in the Emmy race
Initially, Cooper was submitted to compete in the Outstanding Lead Actor category, but Netflix made a strategic decision to move him to the Supporting Actor category, keeping Graham as the lead actor. This was described as a “genius move” by experts at award-tracking sites like Gold Derby, who said it boosted both Cooper and Graham’s chances of winning. Currently, Cooper is a 9/2 favorite in the category, tied with Javier Bardem for Monsters: The Lyle and Eric Menendez Story.
Other actors from Adolescence are also in the Emmy race. Graham is a strong contender in the lead actor category, while Erin Doherty (Brionie Ariston), Ashley Walters (Detective Inspector Luke Bascombe), and Christine Tremarco (Jamie's mother Manda Miller) are all up for nomination in the supporting categories.
Record-breaking success
Adolescence was an unprecedented success upon release, becoming the most-watched UK limited series on Netflix with 66.3 million views in its first week and a half. With 114.5 million views in its four weeks, it surpassed hits such as Bridgerton and The Queen's Gambit. In the UK, Barb made history by becoming the first streaming programme to reach the number one spot in the weekly ratings.
Cooper's humility and future
Despite receiving immense praise, Cooper remains humble. In a recent interview with Gold Derby, he said that even if he wins the award, “I’ll take it and move on,” crediting Stephen Graham, Hannah Walters, director Phil Barantini, and producer Joe Johnson for his success. His co-star, Graham, beamed with pride as Cooper spoke.
The Emmy nominations will be announced in July 2025, and Cooper’s chances are growing by the day. Gold Derby experts Christopher Rosen and Joyce Eng believe that Cooper is a “locked-in” and “guaranteed” winner, with Adolescence also likely to win awards in Best Limited Series and other categories.
Chance to make history
If Cooper wins, he will become the youngest Emmy winner since Roxana Zahl (who won at age 14 in 1984 for Something About Amelia), but he will certainly set a record among male actors. His talent is being described by industry experts as a rare phenomenon, with some comparing it to “scoring the winning goal in the World Cup on his debut.”
Adolescence has already won the hearts of audiences around the world, and Owen Cooper is emerging like a meteor. This young actor is ready to make his mark on Emmy history. Stay tuned for the Emmy nominations in July, and be a part of this young talent’s exciting journey!