Teen star Owen Cooper on newfound fame

The English actor has been getting attention from younger schoolmates since he returned to high school

- Alex Marshall

LONDON - Since Adolescence premiered on Netflix on March 13, the drama about a 13-year-old boy accused of killing a schoolgirl after seeing misogynistic content online has soared in popularity.

It has also made a star out of Owen Cooper for his portrayal of the teenager, Jamie Miller, in his acting debut.

Even so, Cooper, 15, had to recently return to high school in northern England.

In a video interview, the English actor said his first day back was "a bit mad", with lots of attention from younger children. The next day was better, he said, with only "a bit of bother".

As Cooper discussed the complexity of his newfound fame, Stephen Graham, the 51-year-old English actor who plays Jamie's father, sat up, alert. "What kind of 'bother'?" Graham said, sounding like a concerned parent.

Cooper explained that it was not anything serious, just children coming up to him, shouting his name, then rushing off - to which Graham replied with relief and a smile: "Ah, just some silly bollocks."

Critics have highlighted that sort of bond between the co-stars' characters as one of the reasons for the show's success, although it has also drawn praise for stirring debate about whether children's access to social media should be restricted or smartphones banned from schools.

In the interview, Cooper and Graham, who was also a creator of the series, discussed that political impact, Cooper's star turn and the possibility of an