Owen Cooper, the breakout star from Netflix’s hit series Adolescence, has opened up about a rather unappetizing detail from filming.
The 15-year-old actor, who plays the 13-year-old Jamie Miller—accused of murder—has been receiving widespread praise for his gripping performance.
But amid the accolades, Owen has shared one unexpected aspect of the filming process that wasn’t exactly glamorous.
A Sticky Situation on Set
During an interview, Owen recalled filming a scene in which his character, Jamie, is seen drinking hot chocolate while speaking with psychiatrist Erin (played by Erin Doherty).
While the scene was shot in one take, as much of the series was, Owen found one detail particularly unpleasant.
As he watched a clip of himself sipping the drink, he bluntly described it as “minging.”
He went on to explain that what he had been drinking wasn’t actually hot chocolate. The drink had been altered due to the mess it created.
“It was making the floor sticky or something for the cameraman,” he revealed. Erin, who was part of the scene, remembered seeing the beverage spill over the table at one point.
“I could see people in the cameras quickly trying to clean it up,” she added, as they scrambled to get everything fixed before the shot resumed.
Owen couldn’t hide his distaste, adding, “Aw, it was disgusting.”
Jamie’s Emotional Journey in Episode Three
Beyond the sticky drink, Owen also reflected on the emotional depth of his character in the show, particularly in the third episode, where Jamie’s vulnerability starts to fade, and his anger surfaces.
“I think this is where you probably see what he’s actually like,” Owen said, noting the shift in his character.
His co-star Erin Doherty praised Owen for walking the fine line between portraying anger and vulnerability, something that was crucial for viewers to connect with Jamie.
“The fact that you were able to feed those things in without making him a monster in any way is really impressive,” she said, highlighting the skill it took to maintain Jamie’s humanity while navigating such intense emotions.
What’s Next for Owen Cooper
Following his success on Adolescence, Owen has already filmed his next big project.
He’s set to star in the romantic comedy-drama Film Club, a series that will air later this year on BBC iPlayer and BBC Three.
The show features a stellar cast, including Aimee Lou Wood of White Lotus fame and Ralph Davis from House of the Dragon.
In Film Club, Owen will portray one half of an evolving friendship as emotions start to blur the line between platonic and romantic love.
The series centers around Evie, who uses Film Club as her weekly escape.
The story unfolds as Evie and her best friend, Noa, face a turning point in their lives.
Noa has a big career opportunity that will take him far away, forcing them to confront their growing feelings for each other.
With an emotionally charged backdrop and a quirky family dynamic, Film Club promises to explore themes of love, friendship, and navigating complicated emotions—something that Owen’s fans are surely excited to see him tackle next.
From a standout role on Netflix to an emotional journey on BBC, Owen Cooper’s career is definitely on the rise.