Adolescence star Owen Cooper makes history at Primetime Emmys as Netflix show cleans up

The young star of hit Netflix show Adolescence has made history as the youngest male actor to win a Primetime Emmy Award.

Owen Cooper (UK, b. 5 December 2009) lifted the Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie gong at the glitzy ceremony in Los Angeles, California, USA, last night.

At just 15 years 283 days old, Owen won the prestigious award, as well as this Guinness World Records title, with his first ever acting role.

He played Jamie Miller in the miniseries, which also starred Stephen Graham as his dad Eddie.

Jamie, 13, is accused of the murder of a female classmate and is arrested after police burst into his home before he’s even made it out of bed.

The show follows the police’s investigation, Jamie’s experience being locked up and how his family back home cope with the turmoil.

It was praised not only for its hard-hitting storyline, but also the way it was filmed, with each episode captured in one continuous shot.

Behind-the-scenes footage showing how camera operators ran alongside actors, attached cameras to drones and passed equipment through windows during chase sequences went viral.

Owen said as he accepted his award: "Standing up here is just, wow, it's just so surreal.

"When I started these drama classes a couple of years back, I didn't expect to even be in the United States, never mind here."

He added: "I think tonight proves if you listen, and you focus and you step out your comfort zone, you can achieve anything in life.

"Who cares if you get embarrassed? Anything can be possible. I was nothing about three years ago, I'm here now."

Owen thanked his family, co-stars and the show’s production team, saying that while it was his name on the award, it really belonged to “the people behind the camera”.

The previous youngest male Primetime Emmy winner was 16-year-old Scott Jacoby (USA), who won for television drama That Certain Summer over 50 years ago.

Roxana Zal is the youngest female and overall youngest ever winner. She was 14 when she won for Something About Amelia in 1984.

Owen’s award was one of six won by Adolescence.

The show also won Best Limited or Anthology Series, Graham’s portrayal of tortured father Eddie won Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series, Erin Doherty (therapist Briony Ariston) was named best Supporting Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series, Graham and fellow show creator Jack Thorne won the Writing for a Limited or Anthology Series prize, and Philip Barantini was victorious in the Directing for a Limited or Anthology Series category.

Owen had been up against his co-star Ashley Walters (DI Luke Bascombe) for his gong.

Before the ceremony, Owen was surprised by a meeting with his favourite actor Jake Gyllenhaal.

Owen has spoken in interviews about his hope of one day meeting the star, and when he was asked again ahead of the ceremony, Jake sneaked into the room behind him.

In a sweet moment, the actors hugged and Jake gave Owen a gift, a golden “lucky duck” for him to keep in his pocket, something a friend did for him when he was nominated for an Oscar.

Jake joked that he had to stop by because Owen has been talking about him too much.

Header image: Chelsea Lauren/Shutterstock