Owen Cooper: The Schoolboy Who Captivated the Golden Globes and Redefined Acting for a New Generation
Imagine standing before Hollywood’s glitterati, feeling as if you're in a surreal dream—this was the reality for Owen Cooper when he took to the stage at the Golden Globes. The young star, just 16 years old and hailing from Warrington, expressed that the entire experience felt almost unreal.
Cooper garnered the award for Best Supporting Male Actor for his role in Netflix's provocative drama "Adolescence," which tackled the contentious issue of male toxicity and became a significant cultural touchstone throughout 2025. The show not only clinched four Golden Globe awards but also took home six Emmy Awards, further establishing itself as a critical powerhouse, with Cooper earning recognition at both ceremonies. Despite his remarkable ascent, those familiar with Owen assert that his determination and passion were evident from the very beginning.
Esther Morgan, co-founder of the Drama Mob alongside actress Tina O’Brien, recalls her time teaching Cooper, noting that his talent was apparent from day one. "You could certainly tell he was committed," she remarked. "He approached his craft with seriousness, eagerly absorbing feedback and diligently learning his lines."
While Morgan acknowledges that the educational environment couldn’t fully prepare Cooper for such phenomenal success, she challenges the perception that he emerged from obscurity. Before his casting in "Adolescence," Owen had spent two formative years honing his skills with the Drama Mob. The casting process for the show involved multiple rounds and initially included several of Morgan’s other students. However, Cooper managed to make a lasting impression on casting director Shaheen Baig. "His name kept coming up repeatedly," Morgan shared.
Co-writer Jack Thorne recalls his first collaborative experience with Cooper during rehearsals for a particularly intense scene in episode three, where Cooper’s character engages in a challenging dialogue with a psychologist, portrayed by Erin Doherty. Thorne described Cooper as "word perfect and ready to tackle the material," acknowledging the inherent pressure of the role. "With gradual support from [director] Philip Barantini and Erin, Owen truly immersed himself in the character. By the end of the week, he had transformed into Jamie."
Morgan passionately advocates for northern actors like Cooper, who are navigating an increasingly competitive landscape. The migration of film production away from Hollywood has rendered London a more attractive center for studios, resulting in a concentration of resources where over half of all productions take place. "We need to create and produce more shows in the north," Morgan insists. "It’s vital to have more casting directors based here because many of our aspiring young talents simply cannot afford the travel costs to London for auditions."
Yet, challenges extend beyond geographical barriers. At the Golden Globes, Cooper candidly revealed that he was the sole boy in his drama school class, a situation he described as "embarrassing." Morgan noted a significant decline in boys enrolling in her classes as they transition to high school, where sports like football and rugby often take precedence. Acting is sometimes perceived as less masculine, or, to use contemporary slang, "cringe."
Statistics further illustrate this disparity: in 2025, around 17,000 boys took GCSE drama in the UK, compared to 35,700 girls, reflecting a similar trend at the A-level. However, Morgan believes that Cooper’s achievements are beginning to shift this narrative. "Ever since Owen’s rise to fame, we’ve seen a noticeable increase in boys joining drama classes," she noted. "His visibility as a role model demonstrates to them that it’s totally acceptable to step outside their comfort zones and try something new."
The significance of "Adolescence" being available on Netflix cannot be overstated; its accessibility has enabled it to reach a vast audience. In fact, the initial episode broke records with 6.45 million viewers, while the second episode attracted 5.9 million viewers shortly after its release.
At its core, however, "Adolescence" is a raw, distinctly northern narrative. Many of its main cast members, including Cooper and Stephen Graham, hail from the northwest of England, and filming took place in authentic locations in Pontefract and Sheffield.
Thorne expresses cautious optimism that this series could herald a new era of working-class British dramas that may finally gain traction on the international stage. "In my experience trying to pitch projects abroad, I’ve found that distinctive accents and uniquely British themes were often deemed unappealing to overseas audiences," he recounted.
"But who knows what the future holds? The television industry is often quite conservative, and there’s always the risk they might revert to the idea that a man speaking in Received Pronunciation on horseback remains the safer choice."
What do you think about the representation of northern actors in mainstream media? Are we seeing a shift in how acting is perceived among young boys today? Share your thoughts in the comments!
