Emmy Nominations 2025: Netflix’s 15-Year-Old ‘Adolescence’ Star Owen Cooper Makes History as the Youngest to Bag the Nod

Netflix’s breakout series Adolescence shot up the charts following its release, thanks largely to brilliant performances, especially from Owen Cooper. The show’s premiere drew an impressive 6.45 million viewers. Now, Cooper, just 15 years old, has made history by becoming the youngest nominee ever in the Emmy category for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Anthology. He dethrones previous record-holder Scott Jacoby, who was 16 when nominated in 1972 for That Certain Summer. Cooper’s stardom is rising faster than Hollywood can blink.
Before landing the role in Adolescence, Owen Cooper had never stepped foot on a set. In Philip Barantini’s intense one-shot drama, he portrayed Jamie Miller, a 13-year-old wrongly suspected of m-----. His raw performance stunned audiences and earned praise from Stephen Graham, who likened him to Robert De Niro. Now, Cooper faces Emmy competition from heavyweights like Javier Bardem, Bill Camp, and Peter Sarsgaard.
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Academy members will cast their final votes between August 18 and 27, building anticipation for the Creative Arts Emmy Awards on September 6 and 7, where production talent takes center stage. The grand finale, the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards, airs live on September 14 via CBS and Paramount+. Adolescence stands tall among acclaimed rivals such as The White Lotus, Severance, and Hacks, all past award-season heavyweights. Its 13 nominations have placed Adolescence in the spotlight, setting the stage for what comes next.
Upon release, Adolescence stormed the UK charts and earned a staggering 99% on Rotten Tomatoes, making it Netflix’s second-most popular English-language series ever, now boasting 13 Emmy nods.
Adolescence becomes Netflix's crown jewel with record-breaking success
Netflix’s powerful drama Adolescence has made a commanding statement this Emmy season, earning major nominations across the board. Stars Erin Doherty, Owen Cooper, Ashley Walters, and Christine Tremarco all received acting nods, while the series itself is up for Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series. Co-creator Jack Thorne earned recognition for his writing, with Philip Barantini praised for his direction. Filmed in a single continuous take, the gripping story explores a teenager’s m----- charge and the dark effects of social media and modern masculinity.
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Netflix reported that Adolescence Season 1 has been viewed an astonishing 142.6 million times, securing its place as the streamer’s second-most-watched English-language series, just behind Wednesday. With British talent historically dominating the Emmys—think The Crown and Fleabag—this year continues the trend. Alongside Adolescence, nominees include Gary Oldman for Slow Horses and Juno Temple for Fargo, while Owen Cooper shattered records with his remarkable debut.
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What do you think about Owen Cooper as an Emmy nominee? Let us know in the comments below.
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Edited By: Itti Mahajan
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