As Owen Cooper lifted his Golden Globe high for his breakthrough role in Netflix hit Adolescence, surrounded by Hollywood’s elite, it marked a moment of overwhelming pride for his mother, Noreen.
For the full-time carer, it was almost unimaginable that the countless evenings spent driving her youngest son to drama classes in leafy Didsbury, Manchester — a world away from Los Angeles — would one day lead to global acclaim.
And it felt fitting that the 16-year-old star used his acceptance speech last Sunday night to thank his family for standing by him through it all.
Accepting the award at the Beverly Hilton in front of icons including Leonardo DiCaprio and Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, Owen told the audience:
“What an incredible journey me and my family have been through — we are forever grateful. What started off as something I thought I might be okay at, I took a risk and went to drama classes. I was the only boy there, it was embarrassing. But I got through it. I’m still very much an apprentice, still learning every day from the people in front of me who inspired me. I wouldn’t be here without you guys. It’s mad — what is going on?”
But while praise poured in from every corner of the industry, one key figure in Owen’s journey was notably absent from the spotlight.
Back in Manchester, far from the glittering ceremony, Tina O’Brien — Owen’s former teacher and the woman who helped launch his career — went unmentioned.
Known to millions for her long-running role as Sarah Platt in Coronation Street, Tina co-founded the drama school Drama Mob 13 years ago with fellow actress Esther Morgan, after struggling to find suitable acting classes for her own daughter.
Based in a former Didsbury parsonage, the school was created to nurture Northern talent through weekend and after-school sessions. It was there, four years ago, that a scruffy 12-year-old Owen first arrived — still in school uniform, shirt untucked, clearly uncomfortable and wishing he was anywhere else.
Those years under Tina’s guidance proved transformational.
During weekly classes, Tina spotted Owen’s potential, encouraging him into theatre productions before signing him to their talent agency and helping secure him a Spotlight listing — the industry platform casting directors rely on. Soon, taped auditions followed and interest began to grow.
Then came the turning point: casting director Shaheen Baig approached the school about a new project — Adolescence. Tina and Esther submitted Owen’s profile, and the rest is history.
Yet insiders now claim Tina’s role has been quietly overlooked.
A source told The Mail on Sunday:
“Tina was absolutely key to Owen’s success, but she was forgotten last week. It felt pretty rotten. She’s incredibly humble and so proud of him, but she did start him on his road to stardom. A little recognition after the Globes wouldn’t have gone amiss.”
The lack of credit for Drama Mob has caused frustration among staff. When Adolescence aired last year, some reviews suggested Owen had no prior training — something Esther admitted was disappointing.
“We invest a lot of time in our young people, including Owen,” she said at the time. “We supported him and his parents throughout the process. His ability to perform a one-shot production like this comes from training. It proves how vital good-quality coaching is.”
Speaking on ITV’s Lorraine last week, Esther added:
“I knew he was good enough back then. Since Adolescence, we’ve had so many Northern boys join the school. They’ve seen what Owen achieved.”
Despite the success stories, Tina herself has remained silent on Owen’s Golden Globe triumph.
Drama Mob has gone on to produce other rising stars, including Carter Murphy, 11, now appearing in Wicked and playing a young Robbie Williams in Better Man. Tina also trained Freddie Henderson, who portrayed Elton John in the 2018 John Lewis Christmas advert.
Few realise Owen also trained alongside Tina’s own daughter, Scarlett Thomas, 17, who she shares with ex-partner and former Corrie co-star Adam Thomas. Scarlett made her acting debut in Waterloo Road in 2023 and has since signed a major record deal with Big Family Music.
“Owen and Scarlett grew up together at the school,” the source adds. “It’s surreal — he’s in Hollywood while Scarlett’s at home making TikToks with her dad.”
Drama Mob has publicly celebrated Owen’s success online, praising his Golden Globe, Critics Choice Award and Emmy win as “so deserved.”
With GCSEs still ahead, Owen’s future already looks secure. Next month, he appears on the big screen in Wuthering Heights, starring Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi, playing a young Heathcliff — a role expected to cement his status.
But behind the applause and accolades, some fear Tina O’Brien — the woman who believed first — may be left as an unsung footnote in one of Britain’s fastest-rising success stories.
