A TEENAGE actor from Warrington is making headlines around the world for his incredible performance in a new Netflix series.
Owen Cooper has burst onto the scene with his remarkable debut in the new Netflix series, Adolescence.
The limited series follows the story of 13-year-old Jamie Miller, who is arrested on suspicion of murder.
Katie Leonard, Jamie’s teenage classmate, was stabbed to death in a carpark and the 13-year-old is the prime suspect.
The series, which has four episodes, was filmed entirely in one shot – meaning the episode was acted out by the cast from start to finish with no cuts, like a play.
The star-studded cast includes Boiling Point star, Stephen Graham, Ashley Walters and Erin Doherty.
But, undeniably, the breakout star from the series is Owen Cooper, a teenager from Warrington who was just 14 when he took on the role of Jamie.
Owen was just 14 at the time of filming the series (Image: Netflix)
His first professional role, the teenager has made waves after his dark and intense performance.
“Not only is this his first acting gig but every episode of this show is shot in one continuous take,” a viewer posted on social media.
“He is going have an Oscar one day he is f*****g incredible.”
His gripping performance in episode three has been praised by fans, who are now calling for the teenager to be nominated for an award.
“Trust me, episode three of Adolescence will go down as THE BEST TV episode of 2025,” one fan posted on X.
“What a masterpiece. Owen Cooper, in his debut, delivered an award worthy performance, truly haunting for a child actor.
“This kid is destined for greatness.”
The episode follows a discussion between Jamie and a psychologist, played by Erin Doherty, who is compiling a report about him for a judge.
Throughout the episode, Owen’s chilling performance twists and shifts between being charming to unnerving.
Episode three, which was Owen's first time on set, has been noted as being one of the best performances of 2025 so far (Image: Netflix)
In a review published in The Guardian, the teenager is praised for keeping up with such a well-regarded actor.
“He goes toe-to‑toe with a woman who is surely emerging as one of the best actors of her generation,” it said.
“To note that this is 15-year‑old Cooper’s first role, won by sending a tape to the casting director, Shaheen Baig, who looked at 500 boys for the part.
“It’s an astonishing performance that lets us see the radicalised misogynist Jamie is or could yet become.
“But to do that with no previous experience is a testament to innate talent and the creative fostering that must have attended the entire shoot.”
Netflix UK took to X to share that this episode was the first of the series to be filmed, meaning that his stunning performance was the first of his professional career.
“Episode three was the first episode to be filmed, and Adolescence was also Owen Cooper’s first acting job – which means this episode was the first time he’d ever been on a set,” the post said.
Fans have been stunned by the fact the teenager is just a normal lad from a council estate in Warrington.
The role is the teenagers first professional acting gig (Image: Netflix)
“[He] doesn’t have famous relatives, no ‘connections’, never acted professionally before and is just a normal working-class boy from a council estate and his talent is absolutely incredible,” one fan shared on social media.
“This is exactly what the industry needs more of - Owen Cooper is a star.”
Critics and fans alike are raving about the poignant series, which was partly inspired by the horrifying rise in knife crime amongst teenagers in the UK.
The Warrington Rylands Under 15’s player has been praised for taking on such a mature topic, and doing the role and it’s subject matter justice.
“It’s Cooper’s performance as young killer Jamie which steals the show,” a review publishedby the Radio Times said.
“I'm not sure I've ever seen such a brilliant and mature display from someone so young, and in a drama as demanding as this.
“I've certainly never seen an actor so young hold his own against Graham, one of our finest. He is an exceptional talent who'll have no shortage of offers after this.”
Owen is currently filming the highly anticipated adaptation of Wuthering Heights, which will star Academy Award nominee, Margot Robbie.
The teen will play young Heathcliff and the film is currently expected to be released next year.
