Bafta Announce The 2023 EE Rising Star Nominees

Next month the EE BAFTAs will take place and today we learn the nominees for this year’s Rising Star Award. The five lucky actors are Naomi Ackie, Sheila Atim, Aimee Lou Wood, Emma Mackey and Daryl McCormack.

The lucky actors nominated found out today thanks to film broadcaster Edith Bowman who revealed the highly anticipated 2023 nominee shortlist.

Celebrating its 18th year, the prestigious EE Rising Star Award is the only award at EE BAFTAs voted for by the British public.

Naomie Ackie can be seen in cinemas, taking on the iconic role of global superstar ‘Whitney Houston’ in Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance With Somebody, a new feature film about the late singer’s life. Ackie commented “I’ve followed and been inspired by the EE BAFTA Film Awards for so many years, so to be recognised amongst this incredible group of artists is HUGE! This nod from the EE Rising Star jury, and to be recognised for my work in the country that I’ve grown up in, is also a nod of encouragement, to continue to create stories that speak to people. What a beautiful experience to be a part of.”

Sheila Atim was recently seen in historical epic The Woman King. Along side previous EE Rising Star winners, Lashana Lynch and John Boyega. Atim also made her MCU debut in Doctor Strange & The Multiverse of Madness, she was at this point already an established stage actor. Atim commented on her nomination “I’m grateful to the EE Rising Star Award for continuing to highlight the contributions of emerging talent in our industry. This public-voted award is truly an award of the people and a joyous celebration between artist and audience. Thank you to BAFTA for listing me alongside this year’s wonderful group, adding to the esteemed rostrum of nominees past”

BAFTA nominated French / British actor Emma Mackey will be known for two things her recent role as the titular character Emma. A film re-imagining the life of Emily Brontë her other role is Maeve in Netflix‘s Sex Education. Soon she will feature in Barbie opposite Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling. “I am so grateful to BAFTA and EE for including me in this category. Being able to tell stories and make films is already such a blessing. To be nominated alongside these wonderful actors and for us all to be noticed by such a respected and inspiring institution is very humbling indeed.” said Mackey.

Aimee Lou Wood joins her fellow Sex Education cast member Mackey as an nomination. She will be known for her role as Aimee Gibbs, more recently appeared in Oliver Hermanus’ latest feature, Living, next to Bill Nighy. Wood commented “I am totally thrilled! Thank you BAFTA and EE. I love how this special award draws attention to emerging talent and I’m always so excited to see who the nominees are when they’re announced. To be included this year is very surprising and a real pinch me moment. I feel extremely grateful and moved to be here amongst such wonderful people!”

Finally Daryl McCormack recently starred in Good Luck To You, Leo Grande next to Emma Thompson. Soon to appear next to Julie Delpy and Richard E.Grant in thriller The Tutor. Daryl commented on the nomination “For as long as I can remember, I have followed those recognised by the BAFTA EE Rising Star category as a source of inspiration. To hear that I stand in the company of the past and present nominees is an incredible honour. Thank you, sincerely, to the jury.”

You can vote your favourite here ee.co.uk/BAFTA

The winner will be announced on Sunday 19th February at the EE BAFTA Film Awards ceremony, aired on BBC One and BBC iPlayer