Netflix’s latest crime drama, Adolescence, shot in a single take, has viewers on the edge of their seats. The riveting series revolves around a 13-year-old boy accused of murder.
While established actors like Ashley Walters and Stephen Graham are recognizable, it’s the 15 year old newcomer Owen Cooper who’s truly stealing the show despite not having any formal acting training.
Owen, in his acting debut, portrays Jamie Miller, a troubled teenager at the heart of a chilling murder investigation. Despite this being his first-ever on-screen role, Owen’s electrifying performance has garnered considerable acclaim from viewers and critics alike.
Adolescence tracks Jamie as he becomes the main suspect in the murder of his classmate, Katie. The narrative is dark and intense, delving into themes of toxic masculinity, bullying, and the radicalization of young minds via incel culture.
The young actor made his on-screen debut in the Netflix series (
Image:
Courtesy of Netflix)
Violence against women and girls (VAWG) is an escalating crisis in the UK, where the series takes place, with over 3,000 offenses reported daily. A recent study estimates that at least one in every 12 women will be a victim of VAWG each year, reports the Mirror.
In addition, a survey by Vodafone revealed that 69% of boys aged 11-14 in the UK have encountered misogynistic content online.
The rise of incel culture is a hot topic, and the show Adolescence isn’t shying away from it. The young actor’s performance as Jamie has been turning heads and sparking vital discussions about the challenges within the manosphere today.
At just 15, Owen’s journey to fame is nothing short of extraordinary, especially in a series that’s become the talk of the town.
Stephen Graham, not only co-writes the show but also stars as Owen’s on-screen father, has hailed him as a rare talent. Speaking to ITV, Graham remarked: “We did not want a lad who had been through theatre school or drama school. Owen is a normal kid from a council estate, he’s working with Margot Robbie now, he’s playing Heathcliffe, he’s smashing it.”
When discussing the casting choice with The Independent, Stephen explained their desire for a fresh face: “We wanted someone who didn’t have a lot of experience, but we knew that what we were doing and what we were trying to ask this young person to do was cosmic in many ways. It’s a huge undertaking, but we cast Owen, who had no experience, he’d done a couple of little theatre workshops, and he was just starting to do little bits in school.”
Owen resides in Warrington with his mother Noreen, a carer, and his father Andy, an IT professional. Prior to landing the massive role, he was only involved in a local drama club after he discovered his passion for acting during drama classes at school.
“I only really wanted to start acting a couple of years ago,” he confessed to Variety. “I grew up wanting to be a footballer. I don’t know what it was that made me want to do it, but I just wanted to do it.”
Despite being at the beginning of his career, his portrayal of Jamie has won over critics and fans alike. Director Philip Barantini, who collaborated with Owen on the show, was equally taken aback.
“He just absolutely blew me away,” Philip expressed. “Actors train for years and years and still can’t really master what Owen has mastered, which is basically just being in the moment and listening and being truthful.”
Owen’s breakout performance in Adolescence has led to exciting opportunities. He is set to star as young Heathcliff in the upcoming film adaptation of Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights, alongside Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi.
Owen shared with The Mail on Sunday how he began acting at a local group, The Drama MOB, founded by Coronation Street actress Tina O’Brien. After two years of hard work, he landed his first on-screen role.
He recalled: “I sent this tape off, not expecting anything back, and then a month later I got a recall in Manchester. It’s a whirlwind, to be honest.”
Owen described watching himself in the show as “weird” yet “amazing” In an interview with the Radio Times, he said: “Everyone’s been saying such nice things [about his performance], I don’t know what it is, but I don’t really watch it like I’m watching a normal show. I just watch it because I’m in it. So I don’t know. But everyone who has spoken to me has said it’s amazing. So yeah, I’ve heard positive things.”
The fact that Adolescence was shot in one continuous take for each episode only amplifies the power of Owen’s performance and talent. Filmed in a distinctive, immersive style, each episode is captured in a single, unbroken sequence.
This implies that Owen’s depiction of Jamie had to be impeccable, without the benefit of multiple takes. He couldn’t forget his lines or start over – a challenge many seasoned actors would find daunting.
Fortunately, Owen remained composed and didn’t buckle under the pressure. It’s safe to say that Owen Cooper is a name that will be remembered for a long time.
