You Won’t Believe the Next Tom Holland is Only 15

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On March 13, Netflix unveiled what many believe to be one of the finest series ever produced by a streaming platform – or indeed, anywhere in recent years. The gripping crime miniseries “Adolescence” is a remarkable feat, consisting of four episodes shot in a single take. But its significance goes beyond that, as it also introduces a phenomenal young talent to the world. The 15-year-old English actor, Owen Cooper, made his breakthrough with director Philip Barantini’s “Adolescence,” delivering an outstanding performance as Jamie Miller. This series delves deep into the harrowing events and chilling aftermath when a teenager takes another life, offering a haunting portrayal of a family’s darkest hour.

In this project, every actor involved truly shone, turning “Adolescence” into a powerful series as we know it today. However, it’s Owen Cooper’s performance that really stands out. His portrayal of numerous haunting scenes makes it hard to believe he’s still just a teenager, but these moments evoke memories of a renowned Hollywood actor whose acting career also began on a similar path. Interestingly, the young star of “Spider-Man,” Tom Holland, also started his journey in Hollywood with an exceptional performance in “The Impossible.” The parallels are quite striking, yet they only serve to highlight that Owen Cooper from “Adolescence” could very well be the next Tom Holland, and here’s why.

Owen Cooper’s Amazing Acting Debut in ‘Adolescence’

As a devoted fan, I can’t help but marvel at the sheer depth of Owen Cooper’s abilities, which leave me awestruck. In the Netflix phenomenon Adolescence, young Cooper manages to bring to life scenes that hint at his imminent stardom. What sets him apart is his uncanny ability to portray a myriad of complex emotions, such as insecurity, pain, terror, dread, and rage, all while maintaining a remarkable balance that even an accomplished actor might struggle with. In short, he masterfully blends these intense feelings without allowing any single one to overpower the others.

The adolescent phase of the series is dominated by startling moments and intense exchanges, primarily revolving around Cooper’s portrayal of Jamie Miller. It’s unsettling how effectively the show captivates audiences, making them empathize with Jamie, like him, and even understand him, only to leave them heartbroken as they witness the intricacies of misogyny and hidden agony that emerge.

In Episode 3 of the Netflix series “Adolescence“, a standout scene highlighted Cooper’s acting prowess. During a conversation between Cooper’s character Jamie and his psychologist, portrayed by Erin Doherty, Cooper began to feel fatigued after a long day of filming. Unable to hide his yawn, Doherty cleverly asked if she was boring him, which prompted Cooper to smile and skillfully incorporate the unexpected question into the scene. The improvisation in this extraordinary series is truly exceptional, as each episode of “Adolescence” was filmed in a single take, putting immense pressure on the cast to deliver flawless performances. Nevertheless, Cooper seamlessly adapted to unanticipated situations and skillfully integrated them into the narrative and his character.

Tom Holland Is Owen Cooper’s Role Model

There’s quite a bit in common between Owen Cooper and Tom Holland. Notably, they both made their on-screen debuts when they were just 15 or 16 years old, and their standout roles as child actors have been hailed as exceptional. It’s truly amazing to see how young performers can so convincingly portray heavy roles and convey a wide range of emotions with such depth. Both of these talents have demonstrated at an early age that they possess the skills, commitment, and above all, the passion for acting.

Owen Cooper’s portrayal isn’t simply reminiscent of Tom Holland’s emotional performance in “The Impossible” as Thomas; there’s a deeper significance. As the actor from “Adolescence” shared in an interview with i-D, he did watch Holland in “The Impossible”, and it significantly shifted his viewpoint on acting as a profession. The movie served as a source of inspiration for him, driving him to strive for comparable achievements. His ambition was to attain similar recognition.

It appears that the star of “Adolescence”, Owen Cooper, remains committed to his aspirations as he’s quickly moving on to another big project. This comes just days after his Netflix show, boasting a 98% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, debuted. Cooper is set to collaborate with Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi in the film adaptation of Emily Brontë’s classic novel, Wuthering Heights. Emerald Fennel, renowned for her work on the comedy thriller “Saltburn”, will direct this project. While Robbie is set to play Catherine Earnshaw and Elordi will portray Heathcliff, Cooper has been cast as the young Heathcliff. Wuthering Heights is scheduled for release on February 13, 2026, providing ample time to rewatch “Adolescence” a few more times before then. You can catch “Adolescence” on Netflix if you haven’t already.

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2025-03-22 23:33