15-year-old British actor Owen Cooper has etched his name into Emmy history, becoming the youngest male performer ever to win in any acting category.
The breakout star of Netflix’s ‘Adolescence’ earned Best Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or TV Movie at the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards on Sunday in Los Angeles.
The previous record had stood for more than 50 Emmyyears: in 1973, Scott Jacoby was 16 when he won for ‘That Certain Summer’.
Taking the stage, Cooper appeared visibly stunned. “Standing up here… wow, this is so surreal,” he said. “Tonight proves that if you listen, you focus, and you step out of your comfort zone, you can achieve anything. I was nothing about three years ago, and now I’m here.” He later emphasized that the honor was “not just my award, it belongs to the cast and the crew who built this story with me.”
Cooper’s role as troubled teenager Jamie Miller in Adolescence has captivated audiences worldwide. Each episode of the series was shot in a single take, heightening the rawness of his performance alongside co-stars Stephen Graham, Christine Tremarco, Erin Doherty and Ashley Walters.
Since its March release, the Netflix drama has exploded into a global phenomenon. According to The Hollywood Reporter, it is now the second most-watched Netflix title ever (behind ‘Wednesday’) with more than 540 million hours viewed, while also becoming the platform’s most successful UK production to date.
The show’s themes sparked wider cultural debate, particularly around online radicalization. In interviews with THR, Cooper reflected on his character’s descent: “Jamie could have been more protected. He’s talking to the wrong people online while his family has no idea. Sometimes it can be simple, telling someone to step away from their phone can change everything.”
His co-star Erin Doherty recalled their improvisational chemistry, particularly during the pivotal third episode when her psychologist character confronts Jamie’s indoctrination. “We were pushing each other in real time,” she said. “There was this layer of realism. You could feel it.”
The 77th Primetime Emmy Awards aired live from the Peacock Theater at LA Live in Los Angeles on CBS and streamed on Paramount+, with comedian Nate Bargatze hosting.
