It’s not every day a 15-year-old from a working-class estate in Warrington finds himself in the middle of Hollywood’s biggest night.
But that’s exactly where Owen Cooper is headed.
The breakout star of Netflix’s hit show Adolescence has just become one of the youngest Emmy nominees ever, and if he wins, he’ll be the youngest male winner in the award’s 76-year history.
Owen Cooper Stuns the Industry with Debut Role
Owen made his acting debut playing Jamie Miller, a 13-year-old arrested on suspicion of murder in the powerful limited series Adolescence.
The series, which has racked up 13 Emmy nominations, became one of Netflix’s most-watched shows this year — and Owen’s gripping performance alongside Stephen Graham caught everyone’s attention.
Not bad for a teenager who beat out 500 other hopefuls for the part, and who had no prior experience in the industry.
His dad Andy works in IT, and his mum Noreen is a carer.
Acting was never really in the family’s plans — until now.
Going Head-to-Head with Hollywood Heavyweights
Owen has been nominated in the Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie category.
That puts him in competition with some serious names: fellow Adolescence co-star Ashley Walters, Javier Bardem (Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story), Rob Delaney (Dying for Sex), Bill Camp, and Peter Sarsgaard (Presumed Innocent).
In fact, this move to nominate Owen as a supporting actor, rather than in the lead category, has been hailed as a strategic masterstroke — massively boosting his chances of taking home the prize.
Ashley Walters Reflects on His First-Ever Emmy Nod
Ashley Walters, who played DI Luke Bascombe in the same series, was equally emotional about his first Emmy nomination.
In a heartfelt statement, he said this recognition means the world — not just for himself, but for everyone who supported him through the highs and lows of his journey.
“This is a testament to the power of perseverance,” he shared. “Five years ago, this felt out of reach.
Today, I’m proud to stand with a group of artists I admire deeply.”
Owen Gets a Shoutout from Leonardo DiCaprio
As if the Emmy nomination wasn’t enough of a whirlwind, Owen recently got a surprise message from none other than Leonardo DiCaprio.
During an appearance on Jimmy Fallon’s show, Owen revealed that his co-star Stephen Graham had sent him a video clip featuring Leo himself saying he was a big fan of Adolescence.
Understandably, Owen was stunned. “I was like, what?!” he said, still clearly in disbelief.
The moment was just another surreal step on a journey that’s already defying expectations.
A Humble Beginning with Big Dreams
Owen’s rise is the kind of story that captures hearts — a teenager from a modest background, with no connections in the industry, who lands a life-changing role and quickly becomes a Hollywood darling.
His mum Noreen summed it up simply: “It’s such a shock, but we’re getting on with it.”
Brand and culture expert Nick Ede believes Owen is now on track to become “Hollywood’s hottest property,” comparing him to stars like Timothée Chalamet and Millie Bobby Brown.
“The Hollywood elite love a rags-to-riches story,” Ede said. “Writers are probably already queuing up to get scripts into his hands.”
All Eyes on September 14
The 2025 Emmy Awards will take place in Los Angeles on September 14, and all eyes will be on whether Owen can make history.
He’s already in the record books as one of the youngest nominees ever — and if he wins, he’ll top a list that includes Roxana Zal, who won at 14 in 1984, and Scott Jacoby, who took home the trophy at 16 back in 1973.
With momentum behind Adolescence and Owen’s performance being hailed as one of the best of the year, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him on stage, Emmy in hand.