Fifteen-year-old Netflix star Owen Cooper has achieved a historic milestone, becoming the youngest male winner of an acting Emmy Award. This remarkable achievement recognizes his compelling performance in the British drama “Adolescence,” which garnered significant acclaim after its premiere on Netflix earlier this year. Hailing from Warrington, Cheshire, Cooper's win was particularly notable as he triumphed over formidable competition, including veteran actors such as Bill Camp in “Presumed Innocent” and Rob Delaney in “Dying For Sex,” as reported by the Mirror.

Accepting his award at the prestigious ceremony held at the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles, a visibly humble Cooper shared his disbelief and gratitude. He recounted, "Honestly, when I started these drama classes a couple years back, I didn't expect to be even in the United States, never mind here." His speech carried a powerful message of perseverance and courage, stating, "But I think tonight proves that if you listen and you focus and you step out of your comfort zone, you can achieve anything in life." He further emphasized the collective effort behind his success, adding, "I was nothing about three years ago. I’m here now. If you listen and you focus and you step out of your comfort zone a little bit, who cares if you get embarrassed a little bit? It says my name on the statue, but it really belongs to all of the people who worked on the show."

The evening was a resounding success for "Adolescence," which ultimately secured five Emmy Awards. Cooper’s co-stars also celebrated significant wins; Erin Doherty was honored with the best supporting actress award in a limited series, dedicating her emotional acceptance speech to her "big sister Grace." Stephen Graham, another cast member, also emerged victorious in his respective category and was recognized for his writing contribution. The show's director, Philip Barantini, received the Emmy for outstanding directing, while writers Jack Thorne and Stephen Graham were celebrated for outstanding writing in a limited or anthology series or movie. Barantini notably thanked Netflix for "trusting us with this mad idea."

“Adolescence,” which captivated audiences with its intense narrative about a 13-year-old boy arrested for the murder of a classmate, had previously dominated Netflix's most-watched list and received an impressive total of 13 Emmy nominations. Owen Cooper's role in the series marked his debut in television, a launchpad for what promises to be a bright career. Following this breakout success, he has already completed filming for "Film Club," an upcoming BBC drama, and is slated to portray the Young Heathcliff in a forthcoming adaptation of "Wuthering Heights."

While Roxana Zal remains the youngest-ever Emmy winner at 14 for "Something About Amelia" in 1984, Owen Cooper has firmly etched his name in the annals of history as the youngest male actor to receive the coveted award, a distinction he conveyed to fans "means a lot to me."