How 15-year-old Adolescence star Owen Cooper came from nowhere to terrify viewers in hit new Netflix series

By ELMIRA TANATAROVA, ASSISTANT LIFESTYLE EDITOR

Updated:

Cinema's latest breakout star was just 14 - with zero acting experience - when he took on the role of a teen killer in Stephen Graham's Adolescence, which is currently 'terrifying' audiences on Netflix. 

So convincing is his chilling portrayal of Jamie Miller that Owen Cooper - now 15 - has since landed himself a role as young Heathcliff in Emerald Fennell's Wuthering Heights adaptation, and is also set to feature in White Lotus star Amy Lou Wood's upcoming series Film Club.

Adolescence, currently top of the UK Netflix chart, centres on the fallout after 13-year-old Jamie is accused of murdering a schoolgirl. 

Top Boy actor Ashley Walters takes on the role of DI Luke Bascombe in the critically acclaimed four-part production, written by Jack Thorne and Stephen Graham, which was uniquely shot in nearly hour-long continuous single takes. 

A Thousand Blows and Boiling point star Graham was so impressed at the young British actor's first audition, that he's since revealed he turned to co-writer Thorne when Owen left the room and said 'I think that's him'.

It's a remarkable (and swift) rise for the young Northerner, who lives in Warrington with his mother, Noreen, a carer, and his father Andy, originally from Bromley, who works in IT.

The teen, who had done 'literally nothing' in the world of acting beyond attending a local drama club before landing his debut role in the psychological thriller, has described his life off-screen as anything but starry. 

A huge Liverpool FC fan, Owen plays for his school's team - and has also two older brothers; Ollie, 20, and Connor, 30 - and said he dreamed of being a pro footballer when he was younger rather than treading the boards. 

Complete unknown: Cinema's latest breakout star was only 14 years old - and had no acting experience - before he 'terrified' viewers with his chilling performance as a teenage killer in Stephen Graham's Adolescence

Complete unknown: Cinema's latest breakout star was only 14 years old - and had no acting experience - before he 'terrified' viewers with his chilling performance as a teenage killer in Stephen Graham's Adolescence

Cooper plays Jamie Miller, who's accused of the murder of a teenage schoolgirl, his father is played by Stephen Graham, who co-wrote the Netflix series with Jack Thorne - the actor said he knew Cooper was their Jamie at his first audition

Cooper plays Jamie Miller, who's accused of the murder of a teenage schoolgirl, his father is played by Stephen Graham, who co-wrote the Netflix series with Jack Thorne - the actor said he knew Cooper was their Jamie at his first audition

Liverpool FC-mad Owen Cooper, now 15, lives in Warrington with his mum, a carer, right, and dad Andy, who works in IT - but the family's lives look set to change forever following their youngest son's success in the Netflix thriller

Liverpool FC-mad Owen Cooper, now 15, lives in Warrington with his mum, a carer, right, and dad Andy, who works in IT - but the family's lives look set to change forever following their youngest son's success in the Netflix thriller 

He told the Liverpool Echo: 'Both of my brothers are electricians and my mum's a carer,' he added. 'My dad works in IT. So, I've no clue where [the acting] comes from.' 

The opening two episodes track Jamie's arrest and follow the efforts of DI Bascombe and DS Frank (Faye Marsay) in getting to the bottom of the fatal stabbing of the teenage girl.

Critics and viewers alike have been quick to praise Owen's powerful performance - but until recently, he wasn't even sure if he wanted to pursue the arts.

'I only really wanted to start acting a couple of years ago. It's not been long. I grew up wanting to be a footballer,' he told Variety.

The acting skills he's learned so far have come from attending The Drama Mob theatre group, which was co-founded by Coronation Street and Waterloo Road star Tina O'Brien. 

He said: 'I don't know what it was that made me want to do it, but I just wanted to do it. And then I went to lessons and enjoyed it. And then I got into a little agency thing, and then I got a self-tape request for Adolescence. And everything came from that really.'

Owen revealed that he would just do 'hourly lessons on a Tuesday - but it was all 'just a hobby he didn't expect much from'.

His co-stars - as well as director Philip Barantini - have praised the teen's immense talent.

'Actors train for years and years and still can't really master what Owen has done,' Philip told Variety. 'Which is basically just being in the moment and listening and being truthful. 

'l've obviously worked with a lot of actors in my time as an actor and as a director and a lot of actors can't do what he can do. He doesn't even realise it! He's so blasé.'

Speaking to Metro, Erin Doherty - who plays a psychologist in the show - also stressed Owen's 'emotional intelligence'. 

'I keep talking about how incredible he is,' she said. 'I just think he's supposed to do this job, because he just was able to dive in and let this quite terrifying personality take over.'

Elsewhere, Ashley Walters called Owen 'the Lionel Messi of the acting game'.

Rising star Cooper - now 15 - has already landed himself as role as young Heathcliff in Emerald Fennell's Wuthering Heights adaptation, and will also feature in White Lotus star Amy Lou Wood's upcoming series Film Club

Rising star Cooper - now 15 - has already landed himself as role as young Heathcliff in Emerald Fennell's Wuthering Heights adaptation, and will also feature in White Lotus star Amy Lou Wood's upcoming series Film Club

Cooper has said he had zero acting experience before landing the part of Jamie Miller in Adolescence - but has wowed audiences with his talent

 Cooper has said he had zero acting experience before landing the part of Jamie Miller in Adolescence - but has wowed audiences with his talent

Stephen Graham plays Eddie Miller, Jamie's father in the harrowing series - and has said he was impressed with his young cast-mate from the first audition

Stephen Graham plays Eddie Miller, Jamie's father in the harrowing series - and has said he was impressed with his young cast-mate from the first audition

Stephen - who plays Owen's father in Adolescence - recommended his agent, who came to watch a bit of episode one. 'I got Wuthering Heights from that!' Owen revealed in Variety. Both pictured together

Stephen - who plays Owen's father in Adolescence - recommended his agent, who came to watch a bit of episode one. 'I got Wuthering Heights from that!' Owen revealed in Variety. Both pictured together

'You watch him and you're like, I don't get how you're doing this without hardly any life experience. How are you finding these emotions and these pockets and these places? And he's doing it all naturally,' he gushed to the outlet.

'We had to decompress coming off set, like you're crying… This guy was going to play table tennis, paddle ball and stuff. It's just so easy. It's just a gift. It felt like someone was talking through him, and he's set for big things.'

Owen, for his part, admitted that he was 'just there', 'on a journey', and was 'just trying to impress everyone'. 

It's clear that the star has wowed the industry. Stephen - who plays Owen's father in Adolescence - recommended his agent, who came to watch a bit of episode one.

'I got Wuthering Heights from that!' Owen revealed in Variety. 'But it's been going really well. I've really enjoyed it. Obviously it not one-shot anymore! So I'm getting used to that. But it's been amazing. Emerald's lovely.'

On his Instagram, Owen has also revealed that he has been shooting for Film Club - a BBC drama about 'two people in love without realising it who take part in a film club each week', Deadline reports. However, not much is known about his role.

It's sure to be logistically challenging for Owen, who explained that he had to balance schoolwork with acting on Adolescence. 

'We shot some of it during the summer but not all of it. So some of the time I was on my summer break from school,' he told the Express. 'And other times I'd have a tutor on set and I had a great relationship with the teacher so that was fine. In between shots, I'd go straight to work with the tutor.' 

Owen also reflected on how the setting of Adolescence - which was shot in Yorkshire - made the story feel closer to home for him. 

'The fact that the story was set in the North and it's a Northern story was the thing that I found most relatable, because I'm also from the North,' he explained, adding that his parents would often be on set too. 

The young star is sure to have a thriving career ahead of him - after wowing audiences in his breakout role. 

Adolescence centres on 13-year-old Jamie Miller (played by Owen), who is accused of murdering a schoolgirl. Top Boy actor Ashley Walters takes on the role of DI Luke Bascombe in the critically acclaimed four-part production, uniquely shot in nearly hour-long continuous single takes. Pictured left to right: Phillip Barantini, Owen Cooper, Ashley Walters and Stephen Graham

Adolescence centres on 13-year-old Jamie Miller (played by Owen), who is accused of murdering a schoolgirl. Top Boy actor Ashley Walters takes on the role of DI Luke Bascombe in the critically acclaimed four-part production, uniquely shot in nearly hour-long continuous single takes. Pictured left to right: Phillip Barantini, Owen Cooper, Ashley Walters and Stephen Graham

Owen will be playing young Heathcliff in Emerald Fennell's Wuthering Heights - which will also star Jacob Elordi

Owen will be playing young Heathcliff in Emerald Fennell's Wuthering Heights - which will also star Jacob Elordi

On his Instagram, Owen has also revealed that he has been shooting for Film Club - a BBC drama about 'two people in love without realising it who take part in a film club each week', Deadline reports. However, not much is known about his role

On his Instagram, Owen has also revealed that he has been shooting for Film Club - a BBC drama about 'two people in love without realising it who take part in a film club each week', Deadline reports. However, not much is known about his role

Adolescence centres on 13-year-old Jamie Miller (Owen Cooper, left), who is accused of murdering a schoolgirl, and is the brainchild of Stephen Graham who plays the boy's father

Adolescence centres on 13-year-old Jamie Miller (Owen Cooper, left), who is accused of murdering a schoolgirl, and is the brainchild of Stephen Graham who plays the boy's father

Top Boy actor Ashley Walters takes on the role of DI Luke Bascombe in the critically acclaimed four-part production

Top Boy actor Ashley Walters takes on the role of DI Luke Bascombe in the critically acclaimed four-part production

Stephen said the idea for the series came to him from looking at the epidemic of knife crime in the UK and that it is uniquely shot in nearly hour-long continuous single takes

Stephen said the idea for the series came to him from looking at the epidemic of knife crime in the UK and that it is uniquely shot in nearly hour-long continuous single takes

As an executive producer on the show, which airs on Thursday, Stephen said the idea for the series came to him from looking at the epidemic of knife crime in the UK. 

Its outstanding rating on review website Rotten Tomatoes has come from fans and critics alike praising its realistic portrayal of British society and its gripping plotline, with some even comparing it with Netflix's 2024 triumph Baby Reindeer. 

One viewer wrote: 'By far one of the best British drama series I have ever watched it was such a good representation a British family culture. Absolutely gripping, I couldn’t keep my eyes away from the TV.' 

Meanwhile on X, a hooked fan said: 'Highly recommend #adolescence starting today on @netflix.

'Compelling storyline, excellent cast, shot in real-time one-take eps - especially stressful plot/themes when my son turns 13 today. Must-see TV.'

Another added: 'First impression of Adolescence on Netflix: Holy Bloody S***e.' 

A third posted: 'The boy who plays Jamie… he does creepy little f***er extremely well. What a star. Excellent find. He's in for a brilliant career if he sticks at it.' 

Another user said: 'Wow what an emotional rollercoaster. I feel this should be shown in high schools. A very strong message is being made. Incredible cast and brilliantly produced/directed. #adolescence #ToxicMasculinity'

Its rating on Rotten Tomatoes has come from fans and critics alike praising its realistic portrayal of British society and its gripping plotline, while viewers have also been raving on X

Its rating on Rotten Tomatoes has come from fans and critics alike praising its realistic portrayal of British society and its gripping plotline, while viewers have also been raving on X

One posted: 'I have never ever seen anything like #Adolescence on Netflix. 

'Stunningly acted. Each episode shot in ONE take!!! It's insane.'

And a sixth added: 'Is there any part that Stephen Graham can’t play? #adolescence'

The Mail's own Christopher Stevens has been among those raving about the new crime drama, giving Adolescence a perfect five stars out of five.

He said: 'It's effectively a live performance without retakes.

'This sometimes gives the production a theatrical air, as if the action is taking place on a revolving stage. But the effect is always impressive and never distracting.

'The strong supporting cast includes Mark Stanley as a solicitor well out of his depth, but the most exceptional performances come from the teenagers – especially Owen Cooper as Jamie and Fatima Bojang as the dead girl's bereaved best friend.

'Adolescence paints our schools, police and an entire generation in a grimly unforgiving light. Watching it is a gruelling experience.

'But no drama has ever depicted the nightmare of knife crime better.'

All episodes of Adolescence are available to stream on Netflix now.