Actor Profiles - Owen Cooper

Basic Information:

Name: Owen Cooper
Date of Birth: December 5, 2009
Nationality: English
Profession: Actor
Social Media Links:

Biography:

Owen Cooper is rapidly emerging as one of England's most promising young actors, most notably for his profoundly affecting performance as Jamie Miller in the 2025 Netflix miniseries Adolescence. Hailing from Warrington, Cheshire, England, his journey to the screen is quite unique. Before capturing the attention of audiences worldwide, Cooper's passion lay on the football pitch, where he played as a member of the Warrington Rylands U15 squad. While he dreamed of playing professionally and cheered for Liverpool F.C., weekly acting lessons with The Drama Mob in Manchester, initially considered just a hobby, began to unlock a different path.

Unlike many actors, Cooper doesn't come from a background steeped in the performing arts. His mother works as a carer, and his father is an IT professional. He has two older brothers, neither of whom are involved in acting, making him the first in his family to pursue this career. The young actor's breakthrough role in Adolescence was met with widespread critical acclaim. He portrayed Jamie Miller, a 13-year-old accused of a brutal crime, with a raw intensity that belied his age and experience. Critics lauded his performance as a 'masterclass' in understated emotion. Following the success of Adolescence, Cooper was cast as the young Heathcliff in Emerald Fennell's adaptation of Wuthering Heights, slated for a 2026 release.

Career Timeline:

Early Life: Member of Warrington Rylands U15 football squad; attended weekly acting lessons at The Drama Mob in Manchester as a hobby.
2024: Filmed Adolescence between July and November in Liverpool and Sheffield.
2025: Made his acting debut as Jamie Miller in the Netflix miniseries Adolescence, receiving widespread critical acclaim.
2025: Filmed Film Club, a BBC romantic comedy-drama with Aimee Lou Wood and Ralph Davis, slated to air later in 2025.
2026: Scheduled to appear as young Heathcliff in Emerald Fennell's Wuthering Heights.

Achievements:

Awards & Recognition: Widespread critical acclaim for his debut performance in Adolescence, with some critics describing it as the best debut performance ever by a child actor. Many expect that he is a favourite to win an Emmy award for Adolescence.
Critical Acclaim: His performance in Adolescence was lauded for its maturity and emotional depth.

Key Quotes / Catchphrases:

"I only really wanted to start acting a couple of years ago. 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."

Multimedia:

Gallery:

Videos/Interviews:

Fun Facts/Trivia:

Owen Cooper is the first member of his family to pursue a career in acting.
He initially saw acting lessons as a hobby and didn't anticipate a professional career.
BAFTA award-winning actor Stephen Graham was immediately impressed by Cooper's audition.
He is a dedicated fan of Liverpool F.C.
He delivered the match ball at a Super League match between Warrington Wolves and Hull F.C. on April 12, 2025.
He was 14 years old during the filming of Adolescence.
Jacob Elordi, who plays the older Heathcliff in Wuthering Heights, has jokingly said that Cooper's acting was intimidating.

Impact/Legacy:

Owen Cooper's early work in Adolescence has already positioned him as a significant emerging talent. His nuanced and powerful portrayal of a character grappling with complex accusations resonated with audiences and critics alike, sparking important conversations about youth, crime, and social issues. His upcoming role in Wuthering Heights, alongside established stars, indicates a trajectory towards a long and influential career. He is inspiring other young people from non-acting backgrounds that it is possible to break into the industry.