BAFTA Reveals 2026 Rising Star Award Nominees

The British Academy of Film and Television Arts has announced the five nominees for the 2026 EE BAFTA Rising Star Award, recognizing emerging talent in film through a public vote. The category, the only one at the BAFTA Film Awards decided by audiences rather than industry juries, highlights breakout performers Chase Infiniti for her role in One Battle After Another, Miles Caton for Sinners, Archie Madekwe for Lurker, Robert Aramayo for I Swear, and Posy Sterling for Lollipop. The nominees were revealed on January 14 at an event in London's Savoy Hotel, where Madekwe, Sterling, and Aramayo attended, and the announcement was made by 2024 winner Mia McKenna-Bruce.

Selected by a panel of actors including Joe Alwyn, Sheila Atim, and Benedict Wong, along with film industry experts, the nominees reflect recent acclaimed performances rather than a single role. Infiniti and Aramayo stand out as the only contenders also appearing on the BAFTA longlist for lead acting categories, indicating broader recognition. Aramayo, known for his role in Amazon's The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, recently won Best Leading Actor at the British Independent Film Awards for I Swear, while...