Emmy winner and star of ‘Adolescence’ Owen Cooper discusses his acting journey from The Drama MOB to being recognised as a ‘Star of Tomorrow’.
Owen Cooper is the young actor everyone’s talking about in the film and television world. He captivated audiences globally with his debut role as ‘Jamie Miller’ in the Netflix miniseries Adolescence. His powerful performance in the critically acclaimed show earned him an Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie, making him the youngest male actor to ever win an Emmy. He was also recently recognised as a 2025 UK & Ireland Stars of Tomorrow, cementing his status as a true breakout performer.
What began just a few years ago as a simple decision to take drama classes as a hobby has quickly turned into a high-profile career. Owen is already lining up future projects like his upcoming role as young ‘Heathcliff’ in Emerald Fennell’s Wuthering Heights. Despite the rapid acclaim, the young actor remains incredibly grounded.
We caught up with Owen at the 2025 Stars of Tomorrow ceremony to discuss his extraordinary journey, from his early days of finding inspiration to the invaluable experience he gained at The Drama MOB in Manchester.
Video insights:
Discover the surprising journey of Owen Cooper as the youngest male Emmy winner, whose high-profile career launched unexpectedly from a simple hobby.
- Owen shares the key training, inspirations, and essential advice that fueled his rapid breakout success.
- Hear Owen’s candid thoughts on winning a major award, his dream roles, and the A-list collaborators he hopes to work with next.
Here’s what he shared:
Hi, Owen! How does it feel to be recognised by the 2025 Stars of Tomorrow?
It feels really good, it’s good to be here tonight, to meet loads of new people. So it’s been a good night.
When did you realise you wanted to become an actor?
About four years ago. I started drama lessons just as a hobby, really, and then it all kicked off from when I started Adolescence.
What inspired you to become an actor?
Watching films, watching TV shows, watching certain actors, certain directors, watching how they work. And I took advice off other people. Well, I’d go on YouTube and search up ‘how do I become an actor?’ Easy as that. So yeah, I was obsessed with it, and this is all a dream come true really.
Was The Drama MOB a good experience?
Yeah, it was a really good experience. It’s where I started off, isn’t it? So without doing those lessons and learning those improv skills and stuff like that, I wouldn’t have been able to do the show [Adolescence], so, yeah, it really helped me and taught me some certain skills.
How does it feel to be the youngest ever person to win an Emmy?
I haven’t even got my head round it yet. It’s mad.
What have you watched recently that you would recommend?
Severance. That was a really good one. Paradise on Disney Plus – you need to watch that!
What would be your dream role?
Spider-Man’s up there. [There’s] certain directors I want to work with, certain actors, stuff like that.
What actors would you like to work with?
I’m not going to say Jake [Gyllenhaal] because I say him in every interview, so [Leonardo] DiCaprio, Tom Holland, Robert De Niro, Al Pacino. I’m not sure [who else], I’ll have to think about that.
Finally, what’s next for you?
I’ve got a comedy coming out next month-ish called Film Club, with Aimee Lou Wood. And then Wuthering Heights, that’s coming out on Valentine’s Day. They’re good.
In Summary:
Owen Cooper’s extraordinary journey from those first drama classes to the youngest Emmy winner provides an inspiring blueprint for any aspiring artist. His rapid success is a testament to embracing early opportunities and actively seeking out the skills and inspiration needed to break through. Aspiring performers can learn invaluable lessons from his grounded approach to a high-profile career.
- Consider foundational training, as essential skills like improvisation gained from classes are vital for performance.
- Be proactive in your research by watching films and television, taking note of certain actors and directors who inspire your work.
- Actively search for practical advice, using online resources to learn the basics of how to launch your career.
- Maintain an ambitious outlook by identifying specific dream roles and the renowned actors and directors you want to collaborate with.
Take a look at our website for more interviews and video advice from actors and casting directors.
