It was a night of celebration at the 2023 BAFTAs on Sunday, 19 Feb. and the award for EE rising star was a particularly poignant moment. Last year's winner, Lashana Lynch [1], presented the award as she passed the baton to "Emily" star, Emma Mackey.
All five nominees were deserving of the prestigious award, but ultimately Mackey took the prize, beating fellow "Sex Education" star, Aimee Lou Wood, as well as Naomi Ackie, Sheila Atim, and Daryl McCormack. All actors were singled out as they "have each demonstrated their remarkable talent in film over the past year, having captured the imagination of both the public and film industry alike."
As Mackey took to the stage, Wood blew her costar a kiss and mouthed "love you" in a sweet moment of support. The Rising Star Award is the only one voted for by the public, so it is one of the most coveted of the evening.
Read on to hear more about the five nominees who will all undoubtedly have bright futures ahead of them, and then check out the other BAFTA Award winners [2].
Emma Mackey
"Sex Education" star Mackey won the award after a stellar year making a name for herself in films. She was cast as Emily Brontë in the film, "Emily [3]", a re-imagining of the author's life and fans will be able to see Mackey in Greta Gerwig's "Barbie [4]" opposite Margot Robbie [5] and Ryan Gosling this summer. The French-British actor also starred in her first French language role last year in "Eiffel".
"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," Mackey said of her nomination.
Aimee Lou Wood
With a TV Bafta already under her belt for Best Female Comedy Performance as Aimee Gibbs in Netflix's "Sex Education [6]", Wood's transition to movies set the film awards in her sights. She most recently starred in "Living" [7] alongside Bill Nighy and is preparing to debut as Sally Bowles in the critically acclaimed "Cabaret" at the Kit Kat Club in London.
"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!" she said.
Naomi Ackie
It's no mean feat to take on the role of the iconic Whitney Houston, but >Ackie [8] did just that to critical acclaim. Playing the titular role in the biopic "I Wanna Dance With Somebody [9]", the actor worked alongside Stanley Tucci to bring the movie to life. She previously won a TV Bafta for her role as Bonnie in "The End of the F***ing World".
Most recently she has just finished filming a leading role in "Pussy Island", the film which marks Zoe Kravitz's directorial debut [10] due for release this year. "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," Ackie said of her nomination.
Sheila Atim
Atim most recently starred alongside previous Rising Star Award winner, Lashana Lynch [11], in "The Woman King [12]" as well as making her Marvel debut in "Doctor Strange & The Multiverse of Madness". She has also made her mark in London theatre, having won the Olivier Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Musical for her performance as Marianne Laine in "Girl from the North Country" in 2018, and was awarded an MVE for services to drama in 2019.
Atim said: "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."
Daryl McCormack
McCormack gained notoriety last year for his lead role in "Good Luck to You, Leo Grande [13]" playing a young sex worker opposite Emma Thompson [14]. He also played Isaiah Jesus in "Peaky Blinders [15]" and Matthew Claflin in "Bad Sisters". He will soon be appearing in thriller "The Tutor", and TV series "The Woman in the Wall" alongside Ruth Wilson.
"For as long as I can remember, I have followed those recognised by the BAFTA EE Rising Star category as a source of inspiration," he said. "To hear that I stand in the company of the past and present nominees is an incredible honour. Thank you, sincerely, to the jury."