Owen Cooper Makes History as Youngest Male Emmy Winner at 15

Fifteen-year-old Owen Cooper has etched his name in Emmy history as the youngest male actor to win the award for Best Supporting Actor in a Limited Series. The recognition comes for his role in the Netflix series Adolescence, where he portrayed Jamie, a teenage boy arrested for the murder of a classmate. Cooper, who was just 14 during the filming, has received acclaim for his powerful performance, marking his first professional credit in the industry.

The series has made a significant impact, garnering over 140 million views within its first three months on Netflix. Notably, each episode was filmed in one continuous take, showcasing the creativity and innovation behind the production. Adolescence ignited a global conversation regarding the intersection of online “incel” culture and real-world violence, further amplifying its relevance in today’s society.

During the award ceremony, Cooper expressed his astonishment at his rapid rise in Hollywood. “Honestly, when I started these drama classes a couple of years back, I didn’t expect to be even in the United States, never mind here,” he stated while accepting the award. He took a moment to thank his family, his co-star, and Stephen Graham, the show’s co-creator and actor, emphasizing that the award truly belonged to the entire team behind the scenes: “It may have my name on this award, but it really belongs to the people behind the camera and Stephen and … all the cast.”

This victory places Cooper among the youngest Emmy winners in history. The record for the youngest actor remains with Roxana Zal, who won at the age of 14 in 1984 for her role in the television movie Something About Amelia. Cooper faced stiff competition in the category, going up against his Adolescence co-star Ashley Walters, Javier Bardem for Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, Bill Camp, and Peter Sarsgaard for Presumed Innocent, and Rob Delaney for Dying for Sex.

The excitement of the evening extended beyond the awards. Prior to the ceremony, Cooper expressed his desire to meet fellow nominee Jake Gyllenhaal. On the red carpet, Gyllenhaal surprised Cooper with a thoughtful gift—a “lucky duck,” reminiscent of one given to him during his own Oscar nomination for Brokeback Mountain. “It’s just a ‘lucky duck’ to keep in your pocket,” Gyllenhaal said, wishing Cooper luck in his new role.

In addition to Cooper’s win, Adolescence also claimed several other prestigious awards at the ceremony, including Best Limited Series, Best Directing, and Best Writing. Graham, who plays Jamie’s father Eddie, received the award for Best Actor in a Limited Series, while Erin Doherty, portraying the forensic psychologist who evaluates Jamie, won Best Supporting Actress in a Limited Series. Graham remarked on the unexpected success of the program, stating, “We never expected our little programme to have such a big impact,” while accepting the Emmy for writing alongside co-creator Jack Thorne.

The recognition of Owen Cooper and the Adolescence team at the 2025 Emmy Awards not only reflects their individual talents but also highlights the show’s significant cultural influence. As conversations surrounding its themes continue, Cooper’s groundbreaking achievement will undoubtedly inspire a new generation of actors and storytellers.