In Adolescence, his performance was remarkably mature for someone so young. This evening, Owen Cooper awaits the possibility of making history with his portrayal of a troubled teenager in the year’s most talked-about TV show, as he could become the youngest male ever to win an Emmy.
The 15-year-old’s nomination for best supporting actor is just one of 13 that the show, about a teenager accused of murder, has received.
The Warrington-born Cooper, who was only 14 at the time of filming, captivated Hollywood pre-Emmy parties on Friday night. He was joined by his mother Noreen, a caregiver, and his father Andy, an IT professional.
Cooper expressed, ‘This is a moment I’ll cherish forever. Setting a new record would be amazing. It’s beyond anything I imagined. A year ago, I had no idea this would be my reality.’
‘Never could I have believed that this show would change my life in the way that it has.’
Stephen Graham, nominated for best actor for his role as Cooper’s father, and Ashley Walters, portraying detective Luke Bascombe, were celebrated at Netflix’s pre-Emmy event. Meanwhile, Irish actress Sharon Horgan, up for best actress in Bad Sisters, was spotted with Monica Lewinsky at a WME talent agency party.
Among other British contenders for tonight’s awards are Gary Oldman for Slow Horses, Aimee Lou Wood and Jason Isaacs for The White Lotus, along with Colin Farrell in The Penguin, and Bella Ramsey from The Last Of Us.
It comes after Adolescence swept up two major prizes at the 2025 National TV Awards.
Owen Cooper attends Netflix’s Emmy’s Toast on September 12. He has been nominated for best supporting actor
Stephen Graham (left) and Ashley Walters (right) at Netflix’s pre-Emmy bash on September 12
Netflix’s Adolesence is a dark drama about a teenager accused of murder
The critically acclaimed series beat out stiff competition from Rivals, Code of Silence, Ludwig and MobLand to win the award for Best New Drama.
Cooper also secured the prestigious Best Drama Performance award for his portrayal of the twisted teenage murderer Jamie Miller, surpassing his co-star Stephen Graham.
The 15-year-old was not in attendance at the UK ceremony as he headed to the US in time for the weekend’s Emmys, but his friend and Adolescence co-star Amari Bacchus was on hand to accept the award on his behalf.
And he also shared a pre-recorded video message from Owen on his phone, where he effusively thanked his co-stars, collaborators and fans.
He said: ‘Never could I have believed that this show, Adolescence, would change my life in the way that it has.
‘It’s the fact that the viewers who voted for this, it just shows what a powerful, impactful show that we all got to make.’
Owen’s NTA win put him in good stead for the Emmy Awards on Sunday, where he could break records with a win for Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie.
At just 15, the Warrington schoolboy will be the youngest-ever male winner in the 76-year history of the ‘TV Oscars’ if he scoops the accolade for his role in one of Netflix’s most-watched series ever which has swept the board with 13 nominations.
Adolescence came out on top on Wednesday night, as the hit show won two major prizes at the 2025 National TV Awards
The 15-year-old was not in attendance at the ceremony due to working in the States, but his friend and Adolescence co-star Amari Bacchus was on hand to accept the award on his behalf (seen)
And he also shared a pre-recorded video message from Owen on his phone, where he effusively thanked his co-stars, collaborators and fans
The current record holder for youngest male is Scott Jacoby, who bagged the Best Supporting Actor at 16 in 1973 for drama That Certain Summer.
Daily Mail previously revealed Owen would be entered in the Best Supporting Actor category, as opposed to Best Actor, which experts hailed as a ‘genius move’ and said would massively boost his chances of winning.
He will go up against his co-star Ashley Walters who has been nominated for his first Emmy in the same category after his role as DI Luke Bascombe.
Also in the category is Javier Bardem, for his role in Monsters: The Lyle And Erik Menendez Story, Bill Camp and Peter Sarsgaard, for their respective roles in Presumed Innocent and Rob Delaney, for his role in Dying For Sex.
Adolescence is also nominated in the Best Limited or Anthology Series alongside Black Mirror, Dying for Sex, Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story and The Penguin.
