The series, which debuted in March, quickly became the second most-watched Netflix series of all time, just behind Wednesday, and is also the most-watched British title on the platform ever, with over 540 million hours watched.
Adolescence follows the story of thirteen-year-old Jamie Miller, played by Cooper, in four episodes—each filmed in a single, unbroken shot. Jamie is arrested on suspicion of murdering his classmate Katie.
The series is intense and leaves no detail unexplored: from the strip search and interrogations to the search for the motive behind the stabbing. In the third episode, Cooper delivers a powerful scene opposite Erin Doherty, who plays the child psychologist assigned to analyze Jamie. This episode reveals the harrowing reality of Jamie's online radicalization and its impact on his mental state.
In addition to Cooper, Stephen Graham, nominated for an Emmy for Outstanding Actor in a Limited Series, Christine Tremarco as Jamie's mother, and Ashley Walters as Detective Luke Bascombe also give strong performances.
In the final episode, we see Jamie's family confronted with their own guilt and the question of how things got to this point.
Cooper's performance is praised for its authenticity and spontaneity. For example, he improvised the line "Look at me now!" on the spot, which wasn't in the script but was ultimately used in every take. According to Cooper, he only realized these impulsive choices afterward, which further emphasized the power and realism of his performance.
The series has sparked global discussions about the influence of the online "manosphere" on young boys, and Cooper himself emphasized in an interview that simple interventions, such as parents encouraging their children to spend less time online, might have prevented Jamie from going so far.
With this historic Emmy nomination, Owen Cooper not only confirms his talent but also marks a special moment for young British actors and for the global success of British productions.
