British Teen Earns Surprise Emmy Nod for Gritty Netflix Drama

On July 15, 2025, 15-year-old British actor Owen Cooper received a surprise nomination for the Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie. This came as a shock to Cooper, who was simply at home waiting for the nominations to be announced when he received the news.

Cooper's nomination was for his portrayal of Jamie Miller, a 13-year-old schoolboy, in the Netflix series Adolescence. In the show, Jamie develops an extreme aggression toward women after being rejected by a young girl, influenced by misogynistic online content. Cooper's performance in the intense, emotional role was widely praised, though he admitted to struggling with some of the more challenging scenes.

The young actor has found his newfound fame a bit overwhelming, with his schoolmates reacting excitedly to the series' premiere. Cooper hopes to use the platform to raise awareness about issues like online bullying and the influence of toxic digital media on young people. As he prepares for the Emmys campaign trail, Cooper is eager to meet some of his acting idols, including Jake Gyllenhaal and Pedro Pascal. While the role of Jamie was difficult, Cooper is glad the character did not stay with him after filming, as he is "not the best person." Overall, the experience has been a remarkable one for the rising star.