Who Is Owen Cooper? Meet the ‘Adolescence’ Star Netflix

If you’ve already binged all four episodes of Adolescence, you will probably be filled with a mix of emotions and equally be in awe of the impressive one-take filming style and amazing actors.

The crime series, which arrive on Netflix on Thursday, March 13, stars Boiling Point’s Stephen Graham, Top Boy star Ashley Walters, and Christine Temarco, who many may recognize from The Responder. But it’s newcomer Owen Cooper who has caught everyone’s attention for his impeccable portrayal of Jamie Miller, a 13-year-old boy who is accused of murdering a girl at his school.

“Watching #adolescencenetflix and this kid Owen Cooper… not only is this his first acting gig but every episode of this show is shot in ONE continuous take… he is gonna have an Oscar one day he is f***ing incredible!” one viewer wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter) after watching the show.

“Owen Cooper’s performance in episode 3 was chef’s kiss. This being his first time on screen is even more impressive #adolescence,” another said alongside a clapping gif.

As he stars in Netflix’s Adolescence, read on for everything you need to know about Owen Cooper, including what he had to say about the show and the role he wants to play next.

Who is Owen Cooper?

Netflix

Owen Cooper is an up-and-coming actor who stars in the lead role of Netflix’s Adolescence.

He plays Jamie Miller, a 13-year-old boy who is accused of murder.

Speaking about his new role in an interview with Variety, Cooper said: “Everyone’s been saying such nice things [about my 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.”

Adolescence is Cooper’s debut acting role and each episode of the new crime drama was filmed in one-take, which makes Cooper’s first performance even more remarkable.

Netflix

“He just absolutely blew me away. 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,” the show’s director Phillip Baranti told Variety.

“l’ve obviously worked with a lot of actors in my time as an actor and as a director and a lot of actors can’t do what he can do. He doesn’t even realize it! He’s so blasé.”

How old is Owen Cooper?

Owen Cooper is currently 15-years-old, but was 14 at the time of filming the Netflix show.

Does Owen Cooper have Instagram?

He does.

You can follow the actor on Instagram @owencoooper.

As of March 2025, he has just over 21k followers, but his following is bound to go up after his acting debut.

What else has Owen Cooper starred in?

Netflix

Adolescence is Cooper’s first acting role, but with his impressive performance, the young star is on the fast track to what could be a remarkable acting career.

He’s even lined up his next role, with the actor set to play play young Heathcliff in Emerald Fennell’s Wuthering Height alongside Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi, as per Variety.

Cooper has also revealed that he’d love to join the Marvel Universe, saying in a interview with i-D Magazine: “I want to play Spider-Man.”