Owen Cooper Makes History at the Actor Awards
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Adolescence star Owen Cooper has etched his name in history by winning the Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a TV Movie or Limited Series at the Actor Awards, previously known as the SAG Awards until this year. At just 16 years old, he has become the youngest individual winner in the event’s history, surpassing the record held by Kate Winslet.
Winslet was only 20 when she received her first award for her role as Marianne Dashwood in Ang Lee’s 1995 adaptation of Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility, which also featured Emma Thompson, Alan Rickman, and Hugh Grant.
Now, that title has been claimed by Cooper for his haunting performance in Adolescence, where he plays a 13-year-old schoolboy involved in the murder of a female classmate.
Cooper triumphed in a competitive category that included Stephen Graham, who portrayed his character’s father in the miniseries and co-created it alongside Jack Thorne.
Due to his absence from the ceremony in Los Angeles, presenter Damson Idris accepted the award on his behalf, humorously stating, ‘I’ll be taking this home, thank you.’
Cooper’s Absence Explained
While the reason for his absence was not explicitly stated, it has been reported that he is currently filming Cry to Heaven, the next directorial project from fashion designer Tom Ford. This film, based on a 1982 novel by Anne Rice, tells the story of a castrated nobleman in 18th century Italy who becomes an opera soprano.
The film boasts a star-studded cast, including Adele in her acting debut, alongside Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Nicolas Hoult, Colin Firth, Mark Strong, Thandiwe Newton, Paul Bettany, Ciaran Hinds, Hunter Schafer, and Pedro Pascal’s trans sister, Lux. Principal photography for the film is taking place in Italy and the UK, which likely explains Cooper’s absence from the awards show.
Interestingly, Winslet was also absent when she won her SAG Award in 1996, as she was busy filming Kenneth Branagh’s Hamlet, where she played Ophelia.
A Record-Breaking Streak
Owen Cooper’s victory is part of a remarkable awards season for him, having filmed Adolescence at the age of 14. Last September, he made headlines by becoming the youngest male actor to win a Primetime Emmy, taking home the award for a supporting role in a limited series or anthology.
In a backstage interview, he expressed how much the honor meant to him, stating it was significant for him and his family back home, according to E! News.
Cooper also noted that his friends in the UK were likely still asleep at the time of the awards, as it was around four in the morning there, but he was excited to share the news with them.
In January, while preparing for his GCSEs, he became the youngest recipient of the Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor on Television, making him the second-youngest Golden Globe winner ever, following Ricky Schroder, who won at the age of nine in 1980.
Reflecting on his journey, Cooper shared, ‘What started off as what I thought I might be okay at, I might be awful at – I took a risk and I went to drama classes. I was the only boy there. It was embarrassing but I got through it.’ He added that he is still learning every day from those who inspire him.
Adolescence’s Success
Adolescence has garnered significant acclaim during the awards season, not only for Cooper but also for Graham and their co-star Erin Doherty. The show has been recognized for its innovative storytelling, including filming each episode in a single continuous take.
In other notable wins at the Actor Awards, Michael B. Jordan surprised many by taking home the top acting prize, beating out Timothée Chalamet. His film, Sinners, also won the Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture.
As the awards season continues, Owen Cooper’s achievements signal a bright future ahead, with his transition from television to film already underway.
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