As someone with a son, I felt both vulnerable and protectivehence my sliding beneath his duvet.
Not a lot of working-class 14-year-olds do drama lessons and get out of their comfort zone in that way.
One hundred percent, Cooper agrees.
Photo: StillMoving.Net for Netflix
And if youre worried or get embarrassed, just know that everyone gets embarrassed.
If I hadnt let myself be embarrassed, then I wouldnt be here.
None of this would have happened.
Erin Doherty, who plays psychologist Briony Ariston, has praised Cooper’s performance in episode three as phenomenal.
Erin Doherty, who plays psychologist Briony Ariston, has praised Coopers performance in episode three as phenomenal.
Ah, Id love to do stunts, says Cooper.
Can we expect a big action film from him sometime soon, then?
Stephen Graham cast Cooper from a pool of more than 500 hopefuls, claiming his natural talent reminded him of a young Jodie Comer.
Probably not like Tom Cruise, Cooper smiles.
Im scared enough going on roller-coasters, let alone hanging off the side of a plane.
But jumping off the side of a cliff into the water?
I could probably do that.
This week Ive been in four different hotels, he tells me.
This is probably the best one because it has Netflix on the TV and the pillows are really nice.
When I tell Cooper that people are likening him to a young Leonardo DiCaprio, he looks delighted.
I would love Leonardo DiCaprios career.
And Robert De Niros.
Those films likeTaxi Driver, Goodfellas, The Godfatherwere all before my time.
Its not just the content ofAdolescencethats captured peoples attention, but also the technical brilliance of its filming.
Each hour-long episode was shot in a single take, meaning the action unspools in real time.
For the audience, theres zero let-up.
How on earth did Cooper learn such long scripts?
I still question how I did that, to be honest, Cooper admits.
There was so much highlighting you could barely read the lines.
Did he come up with a backstory for Jamie, I wonder?
A theory of what happened and why, to get to give such a striking performance?
His family, everything.
That shows that the power of social media can change anyone.
It doesnt matter what class you are, how you look; it can happen to anyone.
Jamie is a normal kid getting harassed on social media and so his head spirals into stuff.
Some kids are getting phones at, like, seven years old.
I think I got my first one at 11 or 12.
So I go for it:What can I do to make my son kind and safe?
So dont let them have social media until theyre older; stick to the advised age restrictions.
And then youve got to check social media and see whats going on with them.
Because bad things are happening, clearly, all over England.
After talking to Cooper, I go downstairs to have fish and chips with my son.
Would he ever like to join a drama club, I ask?
Nah, he replies.
I just like reading about space.
