Owen Cooper, the 16-year-old from Warrington who won best supporting male actor at the Golden Globes for his role in Netflix's 'Adolescence', has become a role model for young boys considering drama. His former teacher, Esther Morgan of the Drama Mob, says his success has already led to an increase in boys joining her classes.
Cooper, who also won an Emmy for the role, began his training at the Drama Mob two years before being cast. Morgan noted that he stood out for his dedication: 'You could tell he definitely wanted it. He wasn't messing around when it came to listening, taking direction and learning his lines.'
The show, a gritty northern drama about male toxicity, was a major hit, breaking UK viewing records with 6.45 million viewers for its first episode. Co-writer Jack Thorne praised Cooper's preparation, saying he arrived 'word perfect' for rehearsals and gradually 'subsumed himself' into the character of Jamie.
Morgan highlighted the challenges facing northern actors, with more than half of UK productions now centred in London. She called for more casting and production in the north to ensure talent like Cooper is not overlooked. 'More shows need to be made and produced up here,' she said.
Cooper's success is also tackling a gender imbalance in drama education. In 2025, only 17,000 boys took GCSE drama in the UK, compared with 35,700 girls. Morgan said Cooper's example is encouraging boys to step out of their comfort zone, adding: 'Since Owen going on to be so successful, we have had more boys coming to drama.'
