Netflix’s latest crime-drama Adolescence has taken the streaming world by storm, and now the audition tape of its breakout star, Owen Cooper, has gone viral—leaving fans in awe of his raw talent.
The 15-year-old actor portrays Jamie Miller, a troubled 13-year-old accused of murdering his female classmate in a chilling four-part series directed by Stephen Graham and written by Jack Thorne. Shot in continuous takes, Adolescence delves into the radicalization of young men in online spaces, a theme that has sparked widespread discussion.
Cooper, who secured the lead role over 500 other hopefuls, recently reacted to the resurfaced audition clip. In the video, a visibly younger Owen delivers an emotional plea, vehemently denying his involvement in the crime. His gripping performance had fans immediately calling him an actor to watch.
“I hated that, I hated that,” Cooper said while watching the tape, visibly uncomfortable seeing himself on screen.
Fellow Adolescence star Erin Doherty reassured him, saying, “Well, you’re not supposed to like looking at yourself. But that was great!”
Social media has since exploded with praise, with viewers declaring Cooper’s performance as “Oscar-worthy” and “one of the best child actor debuts in years.” Many are already predicting a bright future for the rising star.
Adolescence is currently streaming on Netflix, and if the reaction to Cooper’s audition is any indication, this won’t be the last time we see his name in the spotlight.
