Owen Cooper, a young actor from Northern England, recently found himself at the center of attention after his breakout role in the Netflix limited series Adolescence. Just months after the show’s release, it became the streaming service’s second most-watched English-language series, catapulting Cooper into the spotlight and positioning him as a favorite to win the Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie. Despite this rapid rise, Cooper continues to stay grounded amid the excitement surrounding his first major acting career milestone.
The Unique Story and Craft Behind Adolescence
Written by Jack Thorne and Stephen Graham, and directed by Philip Barantini, Adolescence centers on the question of whether 13-year-old Jamie, portrayed by Cooper, murdered a classmate. The series explores working-class life, police investigations, and psychological analysis, all conveyed through the intense lens of a single continuous shot in each episode lasting over 50 minutes. This challenging style demanded exceptional performances not only from Cooper but also from co-stars Erin Doherty, Ashley Waters, Christine Tremarco, and Graham himself.
Cooper’s role required mastering lengthy monologues and emotionally intense scenes presented in one uninterrupted take per episode. The commitment to this filming technique created a gripping narrative that drew viewers deeply into the characters’ experiences.
How Owen Cooper Entered Acting and Landed His Breakthrough Role
Discussing his journey, Cooper reflected on his start in an acting drama group in Manchester, initially as a casual hobby before realizing the potential to pursue it professionally by joining an agency. The audition process for Adolescence was rigorous, involving multiple rounds culminating in a chemistry test with co-star Stephen Graham. Cooper shared,
“Oh, yeah, I really want to do that.”
—Owen Cooper, Actor
Before Adolescence, Cooper spent nearly two years submitting self-tapes for roles without advancing beyond initial rounds. The series marked the first time he advanced to live auditions and secured a significant role, underscoring the breakthrough he achieved with this project.
Learning the Challenges of a One-Take Series
Cooper admitted that he was unaware of the full extent of the one-shot filming technique until after he was cast. When told that all four episodes would be filmed as one continuous take, he was initially terrified but found this motivated him to dedicate countless hours to memorizing his lines. He described the process:
“I dunno how I’m going to learn all the lines.”
—Owen Cooper, Actor
Cooper rehearsed for two weeks before filming, focusing intensively on the script to avoid mistakes that could require resetting entire scenes. Despite the intensity, he pushed himself daily to master his dialogue and embody his character’s emotions authentically for each demanding take.
Improvisation and Intense Moments on Set
While filming the emotionally charged third episode, Cooper said exhaustion led him to add spontaneous physicality to key scenes. In a particularly raw moment where his character struggles fiercely against another, he went beyond the planned choreography and smashed all the window panes during a scene—an unexpected outburst of realism in the tightly choreographed production.
He recalled,
“I’m never ever going to be able to do this ever again.”
—Owen Cooper, Actor
The producer advised him to limit breaking glass to only one pane for safety, but Cooper’s instinct took over as he fully committed to the moment.
Balancing School Life with Sudden Stardom
Despite the series’ success, Cooper remains a teenager back home in the U.K., juggling school and newfound fame. He mentioned how the show’s rise caught him unexpectedly, especially two weeks post-release when it went viral, leading to widespread recognition among classmates and strangers alike.
The young actor described the sudden attention:
“The day I went back to school two weeks after it came out is when it fully blew up. And I was just getting absolutely peppered in school.”
—Owen Cooper, Actor
Even now, the buzz follows him, though less intensely, showing how rapidly life changed for the actor within a short span.
Looking Ahead: Expectations from the Emmys and Future Projects
While the Emmy nomination has opened doors, Cooper expresses more excitement about meeting fellow nominees and industry stars than about winning prizes. He said,
“If I don’t meet Jake Gyllenhaal by the end of that night, I don’t know, I’m just flying home. I think that him, Pedro Pascal, who else? Just like everyone there, all the big names that I just want to see, and I want to speak to.”
—Owen Cooper, Actor
Aside from the Emmys, Cooper is working on Emerald Fennell’s upcoming adaptation of Wuthering Heights and recently learned that Aimee Lou Wood, his co-star in the BBC’s Film Club, is also an Emmy nominee—adding to the excitement surrounding his career trajectory.
The Significance of Adolescence and Its Impact
Adolescence has defied expectations by becoming a major success despite its modest origins in a small northern English town and limited production setting. The show’s unique storytelling and intense performances challenge typical portrayals of youth, particularly young males, resonating with audiences worldwide. Cooper emphasized how the cast and crew believed in the project’s importance even before its release, hoping it would change perspectives.
He explained,
“I just wanted people to look at the show and make a change about how they just view young males.”
—Owen Cooper, Actor
This recognition reflects not only on Cooper’s impressive debut but also on the creative risk and dedication behind the series, which continues to influence conversations about youth and justice in society.
