Youngest ever! Owen Cooper wins Golden Globe as Adolescence dominates awards night

“Standing here at the Golden Globes does not feel real whatsoever,” said the 16-year-old while accepting the award. “What an incredible journey my family and I have been through. We are forever grateful for what these people have done for me and my family.”

Reflecting on his journey into acting, Cooper said during his acceptance speech, “What started out as something I thought I might be okay at—or I might be awful at—I never knew. So I took a risk and went to drama classes. I was the only boy there. It was embarrassing, but I got through it.”

He added, “I’m still very much an apprentice. I’m still learning every day. I’m still learning from the people who stand in front of you and stand in front of me—people who’ve inspired me. I wouldn’t be here without you.”

Last year, Cooper had also made history by becoming the youngest male actor to win a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie for the series.

In Adolescence, which has drawn widespread critical acclaim, Cooper plays Jamie Miller, a 13-year-old boy accused of murdering a classmate, in a series inspired by real-life events.

Adolescence is a Netflix limited series that explores the emotional turbulence, peer pressure and moral conflicts of teenage life through a raw and realistic lens. Set against a contemporary backdrop, the show follows young people navigating identity, relationships and trauma, highlighting how seemingly small choices can have life-altering consequences.

Praised for its gritty storytelling and restrained direction, Adolescence stands out for its powerful performances—particularly from its young cast—balancing intimate character moments with broader social themes to deliver a story that is both deeply personal and universally relatable.