BAFTA Rising Star Award jury: Lashana Lynch, Paapa Essiedu and Russell Tovey join panel for nominees

Stars join BAFTA panel

The panel is chaired by Anna Higgs, managing director of production company Character 7. Other members include director Molly Manning Walker, casting director Lucy Bevan, producer Nira Park and Anthony Andrews, creative director at We Are Parable and deputy chair of the BAFTA Film Committee.

Public will choose winner

The five nominees will be announced in January. The public will vote for the recipient, who will receive the award at the Film Awards ceremony on Feb. 21.

Last year’s award went to Robert Aramayo, known for I Swear. Past recipients also include David Jonsson, Mia McKenna-Bruce, Letitia Wright, James McAvoy, Eva Green, Daniel Kaluuya, Kristen Stewart, Tom Hardy and Emma Mackey. Lynch has also won the honor.

Judges reflect on selection

Lynch said her own 2022 win made taking part in the judging feel like a “full-circle moment.” She said she was proud to help recognize performers and wanted to discover screen talent with distinctive qualities. Essiedu said every actor’s path differs and that timely recognition can matter. He described choosing five actors as a privilege, while Tovey said the panel’s discussions revealed exciting new talent and that he was curious to see whom the public would support.

Panelists’ work and roles

The other panelists bring experience across film and television. Manning Walker directed How to Have Sex; Bevan’s credits include Barbie, F1 and The Batman; and Park produced Baby Driver and Shaun of the Dead.