This morning saw EE and Bafta, with the assistance of Broadcaster Edith Bowman and actor Tom Hiddleston, take to the stage at The Savoy Hotel in London to announce the 2020 Rising Star Nominees.
As with every year, the actors nominated are amongst the best talent that has come to the fore, on screen, in the last 12 months. So there were no great surprises when Golden Globes winner, Awkwafina showed up amongst them.
This year’s nominees are;
Awkwafina (The Farewell)
Awkwafina has established herself on the big screen with her lead role in The Farewell, which has already earned her a 2020 Golden Globe Award for Best Actress. Her upcoming films include Breaking News in Yuba County, The Prom and a live-action adaptation of The Little Mermaid.
Jack Lowden (Fighting With My Family)
Lowdenfirst received widespread acclaim in 2011 for his role in The National Theatre of Scotland’s production of Black Watch. From there, he has played a variety of diverse and dynamic roles spanning both film and theatre. His film work includes standout turns in Dunkirk, Mary Queen of Scots, Fighting With My Family and Calibre.
His next film roles will be in Cordivae and Fonzo, which will see him team up again with Tom Hardy. He will also be starring alongside John Boyega and Letitia Wright, both previous EE Rising Star winners, in Steve McQueen’s upcoming anthology series Small Axe.
Also in news – Online Critics Top Ten: The Irishman voted Best Film of 2019 by online community
Kaitlyn Dever (Booksmart)
Dever has been praised for her lead role in Booksmart, where she was recognised by the Hollywood Critics Association as a young breakthrough artist. Her other notable roles have included Beautiful Boy, alongside Steve Carrell and Timothée Chalamet, and The Front Runner, opposite Hugh Jackman and Detroit.
Michael Ward (Blue Story)
Ward recently starred in the highly anticipated Netflix series Top Boy. He has also earned praise from critics for his lead role in Paramount’s Blue Story.
Kelvin Harrison Jr (Waves)
Kelvin has been praised for his title role in Luce, starring opposite Octavia Spencer, Tim Roth and Naomi Watts, and has already garnered early Oscar buzz for his role in upcoming drama Waves.
2020 is a milestone for the EE Rising Star Award, marking 15 years since the award was first presented to winner James McAvoy back in 2005.
Voting is now open at ee.co.uk/BAFTA and the winner will be announced at the EE British Academy Film Awards on Sunday 2nd February 2020 at the Royal Albert Hall.