Odds on Owen Cooper’s Next Role and ‘Adolescence’ 2026 Season

_{Owen Cooper's "Adolescence" acting debut opened doors to future roles in film and theatre. (Image: Associated Press / Alamy)}

Netflix's drama "Adolescence" is the talk of the internet right now, and it's not just because of the plot.

The crime miniseries, co-written by Jack Thorne and Stephen Graham, who also stars in the show, tells the story of a 13-year-old schoolboy, Jamie Miller (Owen Cooper), who is arrested for the murder of a female classmate.

Although the show has sparked debate, its main talking point is that each episode was shot in one take. Netflix confirmed it through a Q&A on its social media. When asked if each episode was filmed in one shot, Netflix said, "They absolutely did!

"If you can’t see the joins, it’s because there aren’t any. Each episode was genuinely filmed in real time, in one continuous shot. We promise!

"Each episode was filmed more than once, and the best take was picked to be the final episode.

"It was initially planned that they would film each episode in full 10 times (once in the morning, once in the afternoon, across five days)—but in reality, a few attempts had to be abandoned and restarted, so some episodes had many more than 10 takes."

It seems like Netflix isn't slowing down, and the odds are in for another hit like Meghan Markle's "With love, Meghan." Such is the popularity of the Adolescence miniseries that some fans have called for another one in 2026—but will it materialise?

One Take Episodes To Surge In Popularity

TV shows frequently commission another season if the ratings are strong. And with “Adolescence”, the ratings are certainly there.

Just a few days after its March release, the show racked up 24.3 million views; it is currently the number one show on Netflix UK and was the most streamed series of the week in 71 countries.

While this particular storyline wouldn't necessarily be revisited if another Adolescence series was made, there is plenty of scope for a different variation of the show. Another one-take-per-episode series is clearly in high demand.

Money talks at the end of the day, and if Netflix bosses come knocking, it wouldn't be a huge surprise to see another instalment of “Adolescence,” no doubt with a different cast, hit the streaming service next year.

Another Adolescence season is just 8/11 away, but the fact that Netflix lists it as a “limited series” could put an end to that. However, even if the show doesn't return, the format will.

Producers across the world will have watched Adolescence and be keen to recreate the one-take wonder themselves, and it's just 1/5 for another one-shot-per-episode series to be released next year. Actors may not so pleased, though, as there was plenty of pressure on the “Adolescence” cast.

When asked what happened if someone messed up their lines or did the wrong thing during the one-take episodes, Netflix said, "It depends on the size of the mistake—in some instances they carried on, but often takes were completely abandoned. No pressure!"

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Superhero Owen 

As well as co-writing Adolescence, Stephen portrayed Jamie's father Eddie Miller, and the youngster was played by Owen Cooper—in his first-ever acting role.

Top Boy star Ashley Walters, The Crown's Erin Doherty, and Happy Valley star Mark Stanley were also part of the cast, but Owen was the huge standout performer. It's almost unbelievable that Adolescence was Owen's first-ever acting role.

Netflix said about the 15-year-old star: "Owen was one of hundreds of potential Jamies seen by casting director Shaheen Bagh and was first spotted after sending in a self-taped improv scene.

"After a few more callbacks and workshops, Owen had a chemistry read with Stephen Graham. Guess that must have gone pretty well!

"As has been well documented, this is somehow Owen’s first-ever acting role—with Episode 3 (the first episode shot) being his first time on a set."

With the world and his dog tuning into the show, Owen is likely to be in huge demand from casting directors in the coming months and years.

It's already known that the actor is to star in the romantic comedy-drama film club, alongside Sex Education actress Aimee Lou Wood, and he is to appear as a young Heathcliff, alongside Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi, in the 2026 drama movie Wuthering Heights.

But what else could he do next?

Owen recently admitted he wanted to become an actor after being wowed by Tom Holland's performance in the 2004 movie The Impossible, about the Thailand tsunami, and he wants to follow in his idol's footsteps by becoming Spider-Man one day.

He is just 11/8 to join a superhero movie next, and another actor he could follow in the footsteps of is his Adolescence co-star Stephen.

The ‘This Is England’ star recommended his agent to Owen, and has been supporting him in his career.

Some of Stephen's early notable roles were in Snatch and Gangs of New York, and Owen is 6/1 to appear in a British gangster movie next. 

Owen to Tread the Boards?

Owen certainly has the CV to show he has no problem appearing in a one-take production. And when required, he ad-libbed effortlessly in Adolescence.

When asked if there was any ad-libbing in the miniseries, Netflix said, "With such long shots, variations from take to take were inevitable.

"In the final version of Episode 3, Owen Cooper yawns (understandable after such a labour-intensive schedule) – to which Erin Doherty’s Briony responds, “Am I boring you?”.

"This back and forth, including Owen’s subsequent smirk and denial, feels so true to the characters that you’re convinced it’s completely planned."

One genre of art which doesn't have multiple takes is theatre. With “Adolescence,” Owen had the perfect training ground for treading the boards and he is just 2/1 to appear in a play next. But if he wants to continue down the movie route, then he could do far worse than follow in Jamie Bell’s footsteps.

_{The cast of Adolescence faced intense pressure to deliver flawless performances in the high-stakes one-take episodes. (Image: AP Photo/Kin Cheung)}

In 2000, the 13-year-old British actor shot to fame in the movie ‘Billy Elliot’ and he became the youngest winner of the Best Actor in a Leading Role prize at the subsequent BAFTA Film Awards.

Bell went on to appear in the war movie ‘Deathwatch,’ and the period comedy-drama ‘Nicholas Nickleby’ shortly afterwards.

Owen is 4/1 to appear in a period drama movie—and he may get the taste for them after Wuthering Heights—and he's 8/1 to star in a war film next. 

The Name's Cooper... Owen Cooper 

Movie fans were recently left shocked when Amazon MGM Studios announced it had assumed full creative control of the James Bond franchise, following the surprise departures of long-term producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson.

While the 26th Bond remains unconfirmed, if Bond's new bosses are looking for a young teen lad to join the cast, Owen could be the perfect fit.

While he is too young to play the new 007, following Daniel Craig's exit as the suave spy, it's just 3/1 that he rocks up in a Bond movie next.

He looks highly likely to be swayed by the bright lights of Hollywood after a stunning performance in “Adolescence,“ but it is a 10/1 longshot that Cooper lands a role in a British soap next.

It would have to be a guest spot, though, because Owen is destined for a long movie career.