Adolescence star Owen Cooper makes blunt jibe about 'just terrible' US icons

Adolescence actor Owen Cooper branded the US's sweets and chocolates as "just terrible" this week.

Speaking on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, the young star slated the confectionery and even brought a basket of US treats in a bid to prove his point. Owen, 15, said: "One thing I hate about America - the chocolate and the sweets, everything is just terrible. It's just Cheetos and all that nonsense. Honestly, I hate it."

Jimmy had asked the teenager what he didn't like about America as Owen has spent some time there promoting the Netflix drama, a second series of which is currently in talks. After his honest jibe, Owen lifted the basket to show the host his favourite sweets, which include Maltesers. They were first sold in the UK in 1937.

"Have you ever had a Malteser? Right - I'll bring the whole basket up. So this is what I brought [Monster Munch, Maltesers and Fruit Pastilles]", Owen said in the interview on NBC.

The teen, from Warrington, Cheshire, insisted the brands were better than most American sweets. However, the US has a long history of making iconic confectionery labels, a market there valued at $83.54 billion (£60 billion) in 2024.

In the late 19th century, sweets were made by hand in small batches and sold in local shops across the US. Then, the Hershey Chocolate Company - launched in 1894 - introduced the world to the first mass-produced milk chocolate bar. Following the Second World War, confectionery was frequently imported to the UK and elsewhere.

But Owen's view is mirrored by his fans online, who left messages on social media. One posted: "Maltesers, Minstrels and beef Minichips are the perfect cinema snacks. Heaven. Can’t get anything remotely close in the US." Another, seemingly an American, shared: "He’s absolutely correct. The candy, chips etc over here are atrocious. Garbage compared to Europe’s." A third said: "He is spot on actually."

Later in the interview, Owen also revealed the huge Hollywood star that has praised his work recently. The actor said Leonardo DiCaprio left him a video message when he was with his onscreen dad Stephen Graham.

Owen said: "Stephen Graham sent me a video yesterday and it's Leonardo DiCaprio sat next to him and he was saying 'Hey Owen, I'm such a big fan of Adolescence.'... I was like 'What!'"

Owen was widely praised for his leading role in the Netflix drama, but he had no huge acting experience prior to the gig. Instead, one of his big interests growing up was music, so much so he was nicknamed "my mini Harry Styles" by mum Noreen, who is a carer.

Neighbours in the Warrington suburb stress the family are keen to remain modest. Owen, who enjoys playing football for his youth side, lives with Noreen, 44-year-old dad Andy, who works in IT, and older brother Ollie. Ollie and Owen have older half-brother Connor, who, like Ollie, is an electrician.