Adolescence star dethrones Kate Winslet as youngest ever Actor Awards winner | ITV News

Owen Cooper has won an Actor Award for his role in the Netflix drama Adolescence, adding to his already historic collection of trophies.
The 16-year-old was named best actor in a Television Movie or Limited Series at the 2026 ceremony on Sunday, but was not present to collect his award.
Formerly known as the Screen Actors Guild Awards (SAG), Cooper has officially dethroned Kate Winslet as the youngest-ever individual winner at the event. Winslet was 20 when she won for Sense and Sensibility in 1996.
Owen played a 13-year-old murder suspect in the Netflix drama Adolescence. Credit: Netflix
Presenters Damson Idris and Yerin Ha announced the win, with Idris joking: “Owen couldn’t be here so I’ll be taking this home, thank you.”
The win completes Cooper’s sweep of major awards this season for his debut role as Jamie Miller, a 13-year-old murder suspect in the Netflix psychological thriller Adolescence.
The four-part limited series, co-created by Stephen Graham and Jack Thorne, gained massive critical acclaim for its “one-shot” style. Each hour-long episode is filmed in a single, continuous take.
Cooper, who is from Warrington, beat out Jason Bateman, his co-star Stephen Graham, Charlie Hunnam and Matthew Rhys, adding to his increasing collection of trophies.
Owen beat co-star Stephen Graham for the award. Credit: PA Images
Over the past six months, the young actor has claimed:
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Primetime Emmy Award: Youngest male actor to win in history.
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Golden Globe Award: Best Supporting Actor on Television.
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Critics’ Choice Award: Best Supporting Actor in a Movie/Miniseries.
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Actor Award (SAG): Youngest individual winner in the guild’s history
Cooper recently made his feature film debut as Young Heathcliff in Emerald Fennell’s adaptation of Wuthering Heights, starring alongside Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi.
He is also set to appear in the upcoming Tom Ford drama Cry to Heaven, alongside the likes of Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Colin Firth and Nicholas Hoult.
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