Adolescence star Owen Cooper reveals the ‘embarrassing’ moment that nearly stopped him acting

Owen Cooper has opened up about an early moment in his acting journey that he says almost put him off performing altogether, just hours after winning a Golden Globe for his breakout role in Netflix’s Adolescence.

The 16-year-old made history at the 83rd Golden Globe Awards on Sunday, becoming the youngest-ever winner of the award for best performance by a male actor in a supporting role on television.

Cooper was recognised for his portrayal of Jamie Miller in the limited series, which follows a family as it begins to unravel after their 13-year-old son is accused of murdering a schoolmate. The show explores themes of toxic masculinity and the impact of social media on young people.

During his acceptance speech, the actor reflected on the unlikely path that led him to the stage.

“Wow, standing here with a Golden Globe, it does not feel real whatsoever,” he said. “What an incredible journey me and my family have been put through. We are forever grateful for what these people have done for me and my family.”

He revealed that his acting career began with a leap of faith.

“I was the only boy there. It was embarrassing,” he said of his drama classes. “But I got through it, and I’m still very much an apprentice. I’m still learning every day.”

Cooper went on to thank Netflix and the people who supported him along the way before closing his speech with the words: “Bring on 2026. You’ll never walk alone.”

The win marked his first Golden Globe nomination and victory.

Other nominees in the category included Billy Crudup for The Morning Show, Walton Goggins and Jason Isaacs for The White Lotus, Tramell Tillman for Severance and Cooper’s co-star Ashley Walters for Adolescence.

Walters plays detective Luke Bascombe in the Netflix series, the officer who arrests Jamie under suspicion of murder. The show also earned multiple nominations across the night, with Stephen Graham and Erin Doherty recognised for their performances, while Adolescence competed in the best limited series category.

Crudup, who portrays UBA president Cory Ellison in The Morning Show, has now been nominated three times for the role, following nods in 2022 and 2024.

Goggins was recognised for his performance as Rick Hatchett in season three of The White Lotus, in which his character’s romantic getaway to Thailand takes a darker turn.

Isaacs received a nomination for his role as Timothy Ratliff, a troubled family patriarch whose holiday spirals after he becomes the subject of a financial investigation.

Tillman, meanwhile, was nominated for his portrayal of Seth Milchick in Severance, where he oversees the severed floor at Lumon Industries.