Everything about Adolescence star Owen Cooper
What was the last series you really binged in one go? There's a good chance many people will answer that question with ‘Adolescence’. The crime thriller still firmly holds the Netflix number 1 position and has been viewed over 96 million times worldwide. Filming in one take makes this series extra special, but there’s something else that keeps viewers engaged: the acting of lead actor Owen Cooper (Jamie Miller). You would hardly believe this is his first acting job. We want to know everything about that.
Who is Owen Cooper?
Owen Cooper was born in the British city of Warrington, right between Liverpool and Manchester. He is now fifteen years old, but when ‘Adolescence’ was filmed, he was still fourteen. Owen lives with his parents Noreen and Andy and two older brothers Ollie (20) and Connor (30); none of them work in the entertainment industry. For Owen himself, this was never really a dream; he wanted to become a professional footballer from a young age. It was only two years ago that he decided he wanted to do something with acting. He takes classes at The Drama Mob in Manchester. Once a week, he practices with different scripts, actually just as a hobby. When Owen is asked to record an audition video for ‘Adolescence’, it becomes a bit more serious; very serious, in fact.
His role in Adolescence
According to director Philip Barantini, the creators searched at drama schools, youth clubs, and established theater schools to find the perfect Jamie, but they also wanted to try to find someone without real acting experience. Ultimately, thousands of boys auditioned, Barantini watched all the videos, and soon realized that Owen was one of the strong contenders. During his first improvisation session, he also managed to impress co-lead actor Stephen Graham (Eddie Miller). “When he left the room, I turned to Phil and Jack and said: ‘I think that’s him’.” Even on the first rehearsal day, Owen continues to impress; he immediately plays all his scenes perfectly without a script. According to Barantini, this is further proof of his unique talent. “He really blew me away. Actors train for years and years and still can’t quite master what Owen has mastered, which is simply living in the moment, listening, and being honest.” His performance in ’Adolescence’ does not go unnoticed. Even while filming the series, Owen is already offered his next role.
A golden future for Owen Cooper
During the filming of ‘Adolescence’, Stephen Graham actually put in a good word for him with his own agent Maddi Bonura, and she came to watch a piece of the first episode. This was so well received that Bonura also took Owen under her wing and immediately helped him with his next role. He will play the young version of Heathcliff in ‘Wuthering Heights’; a film by director Emerald Fennell, who previously made ‘Saltburn’. And that is, to say the least, no small project. Owen will share the screen with, among others, Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi. The film is currently still in production and will be released in theaters starting February 13, 2026. This is not the only project Owen is involved in. He also landed the role of Callum in the TV series ‘Film Club’. This romantic comedy will be released later this year on the British streaming service BBC Three, so we will have to wait and see if we can also watch it here in the Netherlands. Outside of these two roles, Owen currently has nothing else planned; although he hopes for much more acting work, preferably again with Barantini. With a debut role like this, it should all work out well.
So we will have to be patient before we can see this new star in action again. Although it’s certainly no punishment to watch ‘Adolescence’ one more time.
