Tom Holland names Adolescence star Owen Cooper as his Spider-Man successor

Tom Holland has named Owen Cooper — the 16-year-old British actor who starred in Netflix's Adolescence — as his pick for the next Spider-Man. Speaking to Esquire, Holland called Cooper "super-talented and the talk of the town," while also confirming his marriage to co-star Zendaya. Holland's own Spider-Man future remains unsettled beyond next month's Spider-Man: Brand New Day.

Who is Owen Cooper, and why did Holland pick him?

Owen Cooper is 16 years old, British, and until recently best known to drama fans. That changed when he played Jamie Miller in Netflix's Adolescence — a four-part limited series that became one of the platform's most-discussed shows of the year. His performance as a teenage murder suspect drew widespread critical praise and put him on Hollywood's radar fast.

Holland's endorsement, according to his Esquire profile, was straightforward: "Owen Cooper would be awesome. Obviously he's super-talented and the talk of the town right now." It's a genuine compliment from someone who knows what the role demands — Holland was 19 when he first put on the suit.

Cooper hasn't been approached, cast, or offered anything. This is Holland saying out loud what a lot of people in the industry are presumably thinking privately. Worth keeping that context in mind before the discourse runs too far ahead of the facts.

What has Holland said about the franchise's future?

Holland has been thinking about succession for a while. Last month, speaking to Empire, he said he wanted to help usher in whoever comes next — regardless of which character that turns out to be. "For whoever's next, whether that is a Miles Morales or a Spider-Gwen or a Spider-Woman or something like that, I would love to be a part of setting up the next chapter," he said.

We've covered Holland's thinking on this before — his comments about mentoring Miles Morales and his contract strategy with Sony both point to someone who is actively planning an exit, even if that exit is still some years away.

The honest read here: Holland's Spider-Man is not going anywhere immediately. Brand New Day is out next month, there's talk of a fresh trilogy, and Holland has said repeatedly he hopes to return. But he's 30, not 19, and both Sony and Marvel Studios will eventually need a plan B.

Should fans read this as an official handover?

No — and this is where other outlets have got slightly carried away. Our take is that Holland's comments about Owen Cooper are better understood as a compliment and a look toward a distant future, not an announcement of any kind. Peter Parker's next chapter is still centred on Holland. Any successor discussion is likely years away, pending how Brand New Day and whatever follows it performs.

The ongoing Marvel-Sony rights complications add another layer of uncertainty. Holland isn't even confirmed for Avengers: Doomsday in December or Avengers: Secret Wars the following year — though it would be a genuine surprise if Spider-Man sat both those films out entirely. You can keep up with what we know about the Doomsday trailer and casting for the fuller picture.

What this actually signals: the franchise is healthy enough that successor conversations are happening openly, which is a good problem to have. Spider-Man films remain among the biggest box office draws in UAE cinemas, and that commercial reality gives both studios every incentive to keep the character fresh and bankable.

Tom Holland and Zendaya: yes, they're married

Buried at the end of the Esquire profile, but hard to overlook: Holland confirmed he and Zendaya are married. He offered no details — no date, no location, nothing — which is very on-brand for two people who have spent years keeping their relationship largely private.

Zendaya plays Michelle Jones Watson in Holland's Spider-Man films. The two have been public about their relationship since 2021, but marriage confirmation is new. Don't expect a glossy magazine spread anytime soon.

When does Spider-Man: Brand New Day release?

Spider-Man: Brand New Day hits cinemas next month. A specific UAE release date hasn't been confirmed yet, though Spider-Man films typically open in the UAE simultaneously with or very close to their global release. UAE cinema chains including VOX and Reel Cinemas are the expected venues — we'll update with confirmed dates as soon as they're announced.

The film is a sequel to Spider-Man: No Way Home and is expected to begin a potential new trilogy for Holland's Spider-Man. If Cooper ever does enter the picture, it won't be in this one.

Where to watch Adolescence in UAE

While Brand New Day is headed to cinemas, Owen Cooper's breakout performance in Adolescence is available to stream now on Netflix in the UAE. The four-episode limited series is self-contained — no prior knowledge required — and takes under four hours to watch in full. If you want to see what Holland is talking about, that's where to start.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who did Tom Holland suggest as the next Spider-Man?

Tom Holland suggested Owen Cooper, the 16-year-old British actor who starred as teenage murder suspect Jamie Miller in Netflix's <em>Adolescence</em>. Holland called him "super-talented and the talk of the town" in a profile for Esquire. Cooper has not been officially approached or cast.

Are Tom Holland and Zendaya married?

Yes. Tom Holland confirmed his marriage to Zendaya in his Esquire profile, though he declined to share any details about the wedding. Zendaya plays Michelle Jones Watson — MJ — in Holland's Spider-Man films. The couple made their relationship public in 2021.

When does Spider-Man: Brand New Day release in UAE cinemas?

Spider-Man: Brand New Day is due in cinemas next month. A confirmed UAE release date hasn't been announced yet, though Spider-Man films typically open in the UAE at the same time as the global release. Check VOX Cinemas and Reel Cinemas for updates.

Who is Owen Cooper?

Owen Cooper is a 16-year-old British actor best known for playing Jamie Miller in Netflix's <em>Adolescence</em> (2024). The four-part limited series, about a teenager accused of murder, became one of Netflix's most talked-about shows of the year and launched Cooper's profile significantly.

Is Tom Holland leaving Spider-Man?

Not imminently. Holland stars in <em>Spider-Man: Brand New Day</em> next month and has said he hopes to return multiple times. He hasn't been confirmed for <em>Avengers: Doomsday</em> or <em>Secret Wars</em>, but his successor comments appear to be forward planning rather than an immediate exit announcement.

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