Entertainment

Owen Cooper, 15, Becomes Youngest Male Emmy Winner Ever

Published SEP 15 2025

Story

Above: Owen Cooper at the Peacock Theater on Sept. 14, 2025, in Los Angeles, California. Image credit: Christopher Polk/Variety/Getty Images

The Facts

Owen Cooper, a 15-year-old English actor, won the Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie on Sunday for his role as Jamie Miller in Netflix's miniseries "Adolescence."
Teen Vogue
People
E! Online
Cooper became the youngest male actor to win an Emmy in any acting category, breaking the previous record held by Scott Jacoby, who was 16 when he won in 1973 for "That Certain Summer."
The Hollywood Reporter
Teen Vogue
Variety
"Adolescence" received 13 Emmy nominations and won a total of eight awards, including the award for Best Limited Series. Cooper's co-stars Stephen Graham and Erin Doherty also won in their respective categories.
Sky News
Daily Mail
The Times (UK)
Other nominees included Javier Bardem from "Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story," Peter Sarsgaard from "Presumed Innocent," and Cooper's own co-star, Ashley Walters, from "Adolescence."
People
Daily Mail
E! Online
The series centers on a 13-year-old boy accused of murdering a female classmate after exposure to extreme misogynistic content online. Each episode was filmed in one continuous take by director Philip Barantini.
Sky News
Daily Mail
Variety
Cooper stated in his acceptance speech that he was "nothing about three years ago" and encouraged others to step out of their comfort zones, noting he started drama classes just a couple of years before his Emmy win.
The Standard
Teen Vogue
SBS News

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The Spin

Narrative A

Owen Cooper's Emmy win at 15 is a groundbreaking moment, inspiring young creatives worldwide. His raw performance in Adolescence captivated audiences and critics alike, proving age is no barrier to excellence. His historic win rightfully acknowledges the talent he brought to one of TV's most compelling dramas.

Variety

Narrative B

While Owen Cooper's win is historic, the media's obsession with his age risks trivializing Adolescence's powerful critique of online radicalization. Emmy recognition should honor the show's ensemble cast, innovative direction, and urgent themes — not reduce it to a coming-of-age novelty story. Craft, not age, should define awards.

New Yorker