Adolescence's Owen Cooper and 4 Other Child Actors Who Outshined Their Adult Co-Stars

The industry continues to discover talent in underage actors, some of whom are so brilliant that they outshine their more experienced screen counterparts.

Such was the case with Owen Cooper, who starred in the new Netflix hit Adolescence. In this honor, we decided to remember other child actors who steal the show.

1. Adolescence (2025) – Owen Cooper

In its first four days, the new Netflix show has racked up 24.3 million views. Viewers are raving about the technical execution and strong dramatic writing, but most of all they are impressed by the acting of 15-year-old Owen Cooper.

Owen was 14 when he landed the lead role in Adolescence. Casting took place all over the UK, and out of all the kids, including some who had tried their hand at film and TV, Owen, who had never acted before, was the lucky one.

The innocence and fear of his Jamie turns to manipulation and rage in the third, and we are presented with a completely different person.

Thanks to his brilliant performance, the young actor has been approved for the role of young Heathcliff in the upcoming film adaptation of Wuthering Heights by Emerald Fennell.

2. Atonement (2007) – Saoirse Ronan

Not every seasoned actor can make you care, or even hate your character. But 13-year-old Saoirse Ronan managed it. The movie tells about the affair between the daughter of wealthy parents, Cecilia, and the son of the housekeeper, Robbie, who is falsely accused of rape.

The culprit is Cecilia's little sister Briony, who misinterpreted what happened between the two. Ronan's performance is an incredible combination of strength and vulnerability that accompanies her character throughout the movie.

3. Interview with the Vampire ( 1994) – Kirsten Dunst

Young actors have a tough time on set, but at least they usually get to portray familiar images – little kids in a big adult world. But Kirsten Dunst had a much tougher job in Interview with the Vampire.

Her character, Claudia, is an "eternal child," a 300-year-old woman who looks like a little girl because she was turned into a vampire at a young age.

It's a unique character and a difficult role to play, even for an adult actress. Dunst pulled it off when she was just 12 years old and was nominated for a Golden Globe.

4. Minari (2020) – Alan Kim

Lee Isaac Chung's drama Minari would hardly be a Sundance hit without the participation of seven-year-old Alan Kim, who plays young David. While his parents try to achieve the American dream, David spends long summers with his grandmother, who teaches him card games and old Korean superstitions.

Alan Kim, making his full-time debut in Minari, plays his role with the awareness of an experienced actor. His relationships with his grandmother and distant parents make Minari a truly touching family film.

5. Lion (2016) – Sunny Pawar

Garth Davis' Lion is a movie made by two actors. And although Dev Patel was nominated for an Oscar, it was Sunny Pawar, who played his character as a child, who moved millions of viewers to tears.

Unlike Dev Patel, Pawar had never acted before. The creators of Lion met the boy during a casting session in India and chose him from more than a thousand experienced candidates. At the same time, Pawar did not speak a word of English.

As a result, he was able not only to memorize lines in an unfamiliar language, but also to interpret them perfectly phonetically, which in itself is an incredible feat for a child.