BAFTA has announced the five nominees for this year’s prestigious EE Rising Star Award, now in its 19th year and created in honour of the late Mary Selway.
The press conference was introduced by BAFTA CEO, Jane Millichip and hosted by Film Critic and radio Host, Ali Plumb and Actor & Producer, Stephen Graham, who revealed the highly anticipated 2024 nominee shortlist. The nominees consist of five actors who have each demonstrated their remarkable talent in film over the past year, having captured the imagination of both the public and film industry alike.
The EE Rising Star Award nominees for 2024 are:
PHOEBE DYNEVOR – currently starring in the critically acclaimed finance thriller, ‘Fair Play.’ Phoebe is arguably best known for her role as Daphne Bridgerton in Shonda Rhimes’ global phenomenon, ‘Bridgerton.’ Dynevor is also set to star opposite Diane Lane and Zoey Deutch in thriller, ‘Anniversary.’ The film follows a very close-knit family that is torn apart as new movement “The Change” envelops the U.S.
commenting on her nomination “Being recognised by the EE BAFTA Film Awards for the EE Rising Star Award is a testament to the hard work of the entire team on ‘Fair Play’ who brought this film to life. I am truly grateful for this recognition and excited to continue challenging myself with new roles and projects. Thank you to BAFTA and EE for listing me alongside this year’s wonderful nominees.”
AYO EDEBIRI – The American comedian, writer, producer, actress and voice actress who most recently starred in ‘Bottoms.’ Ayo delivered high praise for her performance as character ‘Sydney’, earning her an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series, alongside multiple ensemble nominations. Edebiri continues to voice the character ‘Missy’ in the hit show ‘Big Mouth’ on which she is also a writer.
Edebiri, commenting on her nomination, said: “It’s wonderful and humbling to receive this nomination. It’s the greatest privilege to tell stories and make people laugh. I know I’m in esteemed company and this means the world.”
JACOB ELORDI can currently be seen starring in award season contender, the psychological thriller, ‘Saltburn,’ as well as the iconic Elvis Presley opposite Cailee Spaeny in Sofia Coppola’s film ‘Priscilla.’ Upcoming projects include ‘The Narrow Road to The Deep North,’ an Australian limited series set during World War II based on Richard Flanagan’s Booker Prize-winning novel as well as Oh Canada in which he stars alongside Uma Thurman and Richard Gere, which follows a dying documentary filmmaker who comes to terms with his legacy for Paul Schrader.
Elordi, commenting on his nomination, said: “I am deeply honoured to be recognised by BAFTA and EE with a Rising Star nomination.”
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MIA MCKENNA-BRUCE – The English actress is receiving acclaim for her lead performance in Molly Manning-Walker’s film, ‘How to Have Sex.’ In 2022, Mia gave a scene-stealing performance in the role of ‘Mary Musgrove’, the younger sister of Dakota Johnson’s ‘Anne Elliot’ in the film adaptation of Jane Austen’s ‘Persuasion.’ This follows her nomination for a Royal Television Society Award in 2017 for ‘Performance of the Year’ for her role of ‘Tee Taylor’ in the BBC’s television series The Dumping Ground.
Mia McKenna-Bruce commenting on her nomination, said: “I have always been inspired by the work of those actors recognised in the BAFTA EE Rising Star category. To hear that I now stand amongst the past and present nominees is surreal and a total dream come true. I am so very grateful, thank you to the jury.”
SOPHIE WILDE most recently appeared on our screens as the lead in ‘Talk To Me’ Labelled the ‘scariest horror movie of 2023’. The Australian actress will next appear in ‘Baby Girl,’ alongside Nicole Kidman and Harris Dickinson and Boy Swallows Universe, opposite Phoebe Tonkin. In addition, Sophie recently led in Everything Now. Written by Ripley Parker, Sophie took on the role of Mia, opposite Stephen Fry. The series was celebrated by critics, with Sophie’s performance in particular receiving praise.
Sophie Wilde, commenting on her nomination, said: “I am so very excited and grateful to BAFTA and EE for including me in this category and amongst this year’s brilliant nominees. To be recognised, and for Talk To Me, a film we all put so much love and hard work into, is a privilege.”
This year, the EE Rising Star Award jury panel was tasked with selecting the 2024 nominees from a comprehensive list of talented actors. The jury met at The Savoy Hotel in November 2023 where they whittled down the longlisted names to these five nominees, and who will go head-to-head in the public vote ahead of the 2024 EE BAFTA Film Awards.
The EE Rising Star Award stands as the only EE BAFTA Film Awards category to be voted for by the British public, reinforcing EE’s commitment to become the UK’s most personal, customer-focused brand by providing the nation with an opportunity to have their voice heard. Previous winners include Emma Mackey, Lashana Lynch, Bukky Bakray, Micheal Ward, Letitia Wright, Daniel Kaluuya, John Boyega, and Tom Hardy.
Celebrating its 19th year, the prestigious EE Rising Star Award is the only award at the EE BAFTA Film Awards voted for by the British public, with voting now open at ee.co.uk/BAFTA until midday 16th February 2024
The winner will be announced on Sunday 18th February 2024 at the EE BAFTA Film Awards ceremony, aired on BBC One and BBC iPlayer
