Owen Cooper, 15, Makes Emmys History as Youngest Male Actor Winner

Fifteen-year-old Owen Cooper has made Emmy Awards history by becoming the youngest male actor ever to win a Primetime Emmy. The award, Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie, was presented to him for his debut television performance in the Netflix miniseries Adolescence.

In the series, Cooper portrays Jamie Miller, a 13-year-old schoolboy accused of murdering a classmate in a narrative filmed entirely in single-take episodes. Cooper, who had no prior professional acting credits, won against seasoned nominees, including Javier Bardem, Bill Camp, Peter Sarsgaard, and Ashley Walters, himself a star in Adolescence.

He delivered a heartfelt acceptance speech, expressing how “surreal” it felt to go from drama classes to winning such a prestigious award. He credited his family and the production team, acknowledging that the honor truly belonged to “the people behind the camera.”

Adolescence was a standout at the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards, winning six accolades including Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series, Best Writing, Best Directing, Best Actor (Stephen Graham), and Best Supporting Actress (Erin Doherty). The series, which premiered in March 2025 and garnered both critical and viewership acclaim, saw its gripping performances and unique production style at the center of its Emmy triumph.

Sources: The Guardian, People, Associated Press, BBC News