As a cinephile, I’ve just finished binging on Netflix’s latest miniseries, “Adolescence,” and let me tell you, it’s a rollercoaster ride that will undoubtedly be the talk of the town for weeks to come. If you dare to take on this emotional journey, prepare yourself for an unforgettable experience.
The 4-part drama directed by Philip Barantini and written by Jack Thorne and Stephen Graham follows the heart-wrenching tale of a British family whose life is shattered when their apparently ordinary and well-balanced 13-year-old son, Jamie, is accused of murdering a classmate. As its release date on March 12 approaches, it has been hailed in U.K. media as one of the “most chilling TV series of our era” due to its examination of bullying, harmful masculinity, and the subtle influence of incel culture and the manosphere on a young mind from a nurturing household.
Enhancing the impact, each episode – similar to Barantini’s BAFTA-winning film “Boiling Point” – was recorded in a single continuous take, an innovative technique that intensifies the harshness of the scenes, bringing viewers even closer to the real-time emotional tension.
Additionally to co-writing, producing, and acting, Graham takes on the role of a distraught father struggling with the whys, wherefores, and hows, in this latest production of his. The esteemed British television personality delivers another remarkable performance. Meanwhile, Erin Doherty, who has previously worked with Graham in “A Thousand Blows,” gives an impressive portrayal as a child psychologist.
However, Cooper’s portrayal of the central character in the drama could make him the most captivating topic of conversation during Adolescence.
In two out of four episodes, the 15-year-old (he was 14 during filming) delivers an extraordinary performance. Initially, he portrays a frightened, tearful, and bewildered child who is suddenly taken away from his home during a pre-dawn police operation. Later, in a progressively harrowing one-on-one scene with Doherty’s character, the complex factors that contributed to the crime are gradually revealed.
It’s even more surprising that “Adolescence” wasn’t just Cooper’s initial on-screen role, but his debut acting job altogether. Remarkably, as Barantini points out, despite this being his first time acting, Cooper showed abilities that many seasoned actors lack. “Actors spend years and years honing their craft, yet they can’t achieve what Owen has managed,” Barantini states.
Cooper’s casting in Emerald Fennell’s “Wuthering Heights” hasn’t gone unnoticed, especially since he was already working on the Netflix drama “Adolescence.” Last week, it was announced that Cooper would play a young Heathcliff in the MRC/Warner Bros. feature film. This career start is quite impressive: after making his TV debut on a one-off Netflix series with Stephen Graham, he’s now set to make his first big-screen appearance alongside stars like Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi in an eagerly awaited movie.
Prior to the worldwide debut of “Adolescence,” EbMaster had a conversation with the young actor, who was still in his school uniform upon arriving home, together with Barantini. They talked about transitioning from a regular weekly drama class to starring in a significant Netflix release, followed by embarking on a high-budget adaptation of the Brönte novels set on the moors.
Kudos, Owen! Your performance in ‘Adolescence’ is simply remarkable. How have others responded to it after watching it?
This version maintains the original meaning while using simpler language and a more conversational tone.
Owen Cooper: Many people have been praising me a lot. My agent has confirmed that it’s been really well-received. Honestly, I don’t quite enjoy watching it as if it were an ordinary program. I simply watch because I’m part of it. Therefore, I can’t say for sure. But everyone who’s spoken to me has said it’s fantastic. So yes, I’ve heard a lot of positive feedback.
What was it like watching it yourself? Some actors hate it.
It felt quite unusual observing myself on screen, yet it resembled reminiscing about past events. Each scene played out differently, making it clear which take we were viewing. Strange as it may seem, I found it equally awe-inspiring. The best part was that the whole family had the chance to see it too, which made it fantastic.
How much acting had you done before ‘Adolescence’?
Actually, I didn’t start acting until a couple of years ago. It’s still quite recent. Growing up, I dreamed of becoming a footballer, but something drew me to acting instead. I can’t quite put my finger on what it was, but the desire to try it just grew. I attended lessons and found enjoyment in it. Then, I got involved with a small agency, and received a self-tape request for ‘Adolescence.’ From there, everything fell into place.
Can you tell me a little more about the lessons and the agency?
The agency is called The Drama Mob. Every Tuesday, we’d have hour-long lessons where we’d be given a script to read aloud. At first, I was doing it for fun without many expectations. However, when ‘Adolescence’ came along, I took it more seriously and approached it with determination. Essentially, I just buckled down and did my best with the project.
Hey Phil, could you share some insights on the selection procedure? What specific qualities were you seeking and how did you discover Owen?
When we received the scripts, we pondered about casting a 13-year-old character. We questioned whether we should find an older actor who looks young instead. However, there’s a unique phase between the ages of 12 and 14 where people’s behaviors, appearances, and voices undergo significant changes. It became clear that we couldn’t settle for someone older. Our casting director, Shaheen Baig, is exceptional at discovering new talent and she leaves no stone unturned in her search. I suggested to her from the beginning that we should look at drama schools, youth clubs, and established theater schools. But I also wanted to find a novice actor. Thus, we thoroughly searched through thousands of audition tapes. I watched every single one, but we eventually narrowed it down, and it was clear that Owen stood out as one of the top contenders.
How much work did you do with Owen before you started shooting?
To ensure that our third episode, featuring Doherty, would be a success, we decided to film it first. After casting Owen, I realized the importance of ensuring he could deliver in this role. So, while I worked on other episodes, we brought in some professionals to help him with his lines and acting. An acting coach was on set to provide guidance and help him translate the script into convincing performances.
On the first day of filming, it was undeniably nerve-wracking for everyone involved. Yet, Owen left me utterly astonished. Actors typically spend decades honing their craft, yet they rarely achieve what Owen has – a knack for being fully present, listening attentively, and delivering truthful performances. I’ve collaborated with numerous actors throughout my career as an actor and director, and many struggle to replicate his talent. Remarkably, he seems unaware of it! He carries himself so nonchalantly. Each day, we would record the scene, which took about an hour, and those watching at the monitors were moved to tears. We even had a psychologist on set to ensure Owen was emotionally stable. However, she could never find him. She’d ask, “Where’s Owen?” and he’d be off playing swingball. When I’d check on him, I’d ask, “Are you alright?” He’d reply, “Yeah, just a moment, I’m winning here!
Owen, you work alongside Erin Doherty, a truly exceptional actress, and Stephen Graham, a seasoned pro. Did either of them offer any guidance or support when it came to finding your character or managing nerves during filming?
As a cinephile, I can’t help but recall a pivotal moment from the first episode where it was just Stephen and I, locked away in a police cell, away from any cameras. In this private moment, he roughs me up and delivers the chilling line, “You’ll never see your mum again, you’ll never see your dad again.” His words echoed and resonated, igniting a torrent of emotions within me that I hadn’t previously felt during filming. It was at this moment that I became fully immersed in the character, making each subsequent take feel raw and authentic. Working with him was an incredible experience.
You’re pretty awful to Erin in episode 3. How easy was that?
I found the experience quite enjoyable, and I didn’t let concerns over the script or the noise bother me. In fact, those aspects were the most exciting part for me. I was more of an observer, taking a trip through this new experience. It was my first time doing anything like this, so I didn’t feel too stressed about it. I was mainly trying to make a good impression on everyone. However, I didn’t plan it out; I just went ahead and did it.
In order for Owen to convincingly portray a character who was rude and mean, it wasn’t easy because he is generally kind-hearted. During rehearsals for this particular episode, I frequently encouraged him to push his boundaries by saying: “Go even further, let loose, hate her, shout at her, express your anger fully.” This was new territory for him since he hadn’t acted in such a manner before, so he had to explore the depths of his character and understand how far he could take it.
During a single unplanned instance caught on camera, he found himself yawning while conversing with Erin. The crew behind the lens reacted in surprise, exclaiming, “Oh my god, he’s never done that before!” Ever the quick-witted one, Erin casually asked if she was boring him. In response, he flashed a mischievous grin.
In every episode of ‘Adolescence’, it appears a single take was used, making the entire production process even more chaotic. Since this was your initial foray into acting and filmmaking, did you think that this method was standard practice?
Initially, I was under the impression that “the one-shot” referred to just a single episode or segment. However, when Phil explained that all four episodes would be filmed in one continuous take, I was taken aback and thought it was beyond my capabilities. But with the support of Phil, Erin, Ashley, and Stephen, I managed to pull it off. Consequently, if such an opportunity arises again, I wouldn’t hesitate to accept it.
PB: He could do it in his sleep again.
How many takes did you do?
Initially, we aimed for 10 attempts per episode, meaning we’d film them twice daily. However, there were instances when we had to halt after just five minutes, making it 15-16 partial takes. But in total, we ended up with 10 full takes. Essentially, we shot the same episode twice every day.
Hi Owen, since you’re no longer working on “Adolescence,” I’ve noticed you’ve moved on to filming Emerald Fennell’s “Wuthering Heights.” This project seems to be generating a lot of excitement. How has that experience been for you? Have you completed the filming yet?
We still have a few more weeks ahead, but things are progressing splendidly. I must say, I’ve found it quite enjoyable. Of course, it’s no longer a one-time thing! So I’m adjusting to that new reality. But let me tell you, it’s been fantastic. Emerald is simply delightful.
Did ‘Wuthering Heights’ come about because of ‘Adolescence’?
Sure thing!
Stephen suggested I use his agent, so Maddi Bonura from Independent Talent came to see a part of the first episode. As a result, I landed the role in “Wuthering Heights”!
Have you been able to hang out with Jacob Elordi and Margot Robbie on set?
In the realm of filmmaking, I’ve had the pleasure of sharing numerous conversations with the charming Jacob, who never fails to engage everyone around him. Similarly captivating is the radiant Margot, whose presence on set is equally delightful.
What’s your next step going forward? This beginning has left me quite astonished. I’m guessing that acting is the path you wish to continue pursuing?
OC: I hope so. Yeah, I hope so.
Do you have anything else lined up?
OC: No, not at the minute. But yeah, I can’t wait to get another one, hopefully with Phil.
Phil, you do like to work with the same people over again…
Of course, that sounds great! Let’s see if we can find an activity we both enjoy, perhaps a movie outing or something similar.
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2025-03-11 17:18