Owen Cooper, star of the British Netflix drama Adolescence, made history Sunday night by becoming the youngest male actor ever to win an Emmy. The award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie was presented to the 19-year-old actor at the 77th Emmy Awards held at the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles.
Cooper had already broken records earlier this year when he became the youngest nominee in his category. In his heartfelt acceptance speech, the English actor reflected on his rapid rise from a struggling teenager to Emmy winner.
“Honestly, when I started these drama classes a couple years back, I didn’t expect to be even in the United States, never mind here,” Cooper said. “But I think tonight proves that if you listen and you focus and you step out of your comfort zone, you can achieve anything in life.”
Cooper expressed gratitude to his fellow cast and crew, saying, “It says my name on the statue, but it really belongs to all of the people who worked on the show.”
A Night of British Talent
The evening was a landmark for Adolescence, which also saw wins for directing and writing. Philip Barantini, the series’ director, took home the Emmy for Outstanding Directing for a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie, while Jack Thorne and Stephen Graham earned the award for Outstanding Writing in the same category. Barantini dedicated his win to Netflix, thanking the streaming giant for backing “this mad idea.”
Co-star Erin Doherty also celebrated success, winning Best Supporting Actress in a Limited Series. She dedicated her award to her older sister, calling it a personal triumph.
Adolescence received 13 nominations overall and has dominated Netflix’s most-watched list earlier this year. The series tells the gripping story of a 13-year-old boy arrested for the murder of a classmate, earning critical acclaim for its sensitive portrayal of youth and crime.
Other Highlights from the Night
The ceremony, hosted by comedian Nate Bargatze, celebrated achievements across genres. Seth Rogen’s The Studio swept several awards, including Best Directing, Best Writing, and Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series.
Irish actor Colin Farrell earned his first Emmy nomination for his role in The Penguin on HBO Max, which garnered 24 nominations alongside Severance, which led the evening with 27 nods.
A Special Moment
Before the ceremony, Cooper had a memorable encounter with fellow nominee Jake Gyllenhaal. In a surprise interview, Gyllenhaal gifted Cooper a small figurine of a “lucky duck,” explaining it was a good luck charm a friend had once sent him during his own Oscar campaign.
“I made this movie [Brokeback Mountain], and I got nominated for an Academy Award, and a friend of mine sent me this before. Something just like this,” Gyllenhaal shared.
The gift left Cooper momentarily speechless, though he had earlier confessed, “I don’t know. I’ll just stare at him. I don’t really know.”
A New Star on the Rise
With this win, Owen Cooper’s rise from obscurity to global recognition is complete. As he continues to break records, Adolescence stands as a testament to bold storytelling, youthful talent, and the power of perseverance.
