At the National TV Awards (NTAs), held just before Sunday's Emmy Awards, rising star Owen Cooper, the lead of the critically acclaimed "Adolescence," clinched a major accolade for his standout performance. His Netflix series "Adolescence" shone brightly, securing two prestigious awards: Best Drama Performance for Cooper and Best New Drama.
The 15-year-old prodigy was unable to attend the ceremony in person, as he was busy preparing for the Emmys in the United States. However, his co-star Amari Bacchus stepped in to accept the award on his behalf, adding a personal touch to the moment. Bacchus also shared a pre-recorded video message from Cooper, in which the young actor expressed his heartfelt gratitude to his co-stars, family, and devoted fans. "Never could I have believed that this show, 'Adolescence,' would transform my life the way it has," Cooper remarked. "The fact that viewers voted for this just highlights how powerful and impactful the show we all created truly is."
Cooper's triumph at the NTAs has undoubtedly bolstered his prospects at the upcoming Emmy Awards, where he stands a chance to etch his name in history. A win in the Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie category would make him the youngest male actor in the 76-year history of the Emmys to claim the prize. The current record is held by Scott Jacoby, who secured the Best Supporting Actor award at the age of 16 in 1973 for his role in the drama "That Certain Summer."
Cooper will face stiff competition from Javier Bardem ("Monsters: The Lyle & Erik Menendez Story"), Bill Camp and Peter Sarsgaard ("Presumed Innocent"), Rob Delaney ("Dying for Sex"), and his own co-star Ashley Walters ("Adolescence"). Moreover, "Adolescence" is also nominated in the Best Limited or Anthology Series category, vying for the top spot alongside heavyweights like "Black Mirror," "Dying for Sex," "Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story," and "The Penguin."
