Sophie Stone on writing, play, sitcom and why there’s much to gain from differences

A place in the BAFTA cohort

Stone is among 21 creatives selected for the 2026 U.K. BAFTA Breakthrough cohort, which is supported by Netflix. Her selection recognizes her role in Falling. In an email Q&A, Stone said she hopes the program will help her meet creatives whose work she admires and make connections. She also said it could open paths into new fields and help her build projects.

Roles shaped with Evans

Stone plays Mia in Ted Evans’ feature Retreat. Evans had been writing the character with Stone in mind for 10 years, and they first made a short film in which Mia had a different role within a cult.

For the feature, Mia became the cult’s leader. Stone said they drew on their knowledge of deaf and isolated communities to create a character who could feel trustworthy while prompting questions about love and what people do for the greater good.

A story of community

Stone described Retreat as a love letter to the deaf community, shaped by desperation, grief and pride. She said those feelings can offer protection but also become suffocating when survival is at stake.

She said the character’s complexity and the chance to represent broader experiences made the role exciting, while also bringing personal fears and sorrow into view. Stone has also appeared in Falling and the revenge thriller series Reunion.