One Battle After Another actress Chase Infiniti and Lurker star Archie Madekwe among names nominated for the EE BAFTA Rising Star Award

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The nominees for the EE BAFTA Rising Star Award were announced on Wednesday.

The nominees for the 2026 prize – Archie Madekwe (for Lurker), Chase Infiniti (for One Battle After Another), Miles Caton (for Sinners), Posy Sterling (for Lollipop), and Robert Aramayo (for I Swear) – were announced at a press conference held at the Savoy Hotel in London.

Mia McKenna-Bruce, the 2024 EE Rising Star Award winner, and film critic and radio host Ali Plumb co-hosted the event.

A panel of industry professionals – including actors Joe Alwyn, Sheila Atim, and Benedict Wong, as well as other experts – selected the nominees.

Posy, known for her role in the popular British film Lollipop, shared that she was hiking with friends when she received the news of her nomination.

Oh my gosh, I was just reading about what happened with her! Apparently, her agent was totally freaking out, calling her and demanding to know her location. And can you believe her response? She was literally on top of a mountain and just casually asked her agent what they were up to! It’s so her, honestly. Just doing her own thing, completely unbothered, while everyone else is losing their minds. I’m obsessed!

She approached me and asked if I was alone, but I wasn’t – I was with two friends. She then told me I needed to find a private place to talk. That’s when I found out what was happening, and honestly, I just broke down. The hardest part was having to keep it all a secret from everyone else.

Robert, the star of the movie I Swear – which is based on the real-life story of John Davidson, a man who advocated for people with Tourette’s syndrome – shared that his parents were overjoyed and emotional when they learned about his award nomination.

The 33-year-old actor shared the news with his parents, describing a very emotional reaction. He said there was a lot of crying and excitement, and it was a really intense moment.

He said today was a day he’d never forget. He was inspired by both the other nominees this year and past winners of the EE Rising Star Award, who have all set a high standard.

If young Robert could see himself now, as a nominee for the EE Rising Star Award, he’d be incredibly proud.

Archie, the actor from Saltburn, expressed his excitement, calling the EE Rising Star Award a ‘real honour.’ He added that, as a British actor, the award holds special meaning for him.

It’s amazing to be nominated for this award, especially since so many actors I admire are also in the running. It feels unreal and I’m incredibly grateful to be considered alongside such a talented group.

Chase, 25, expressed how much the nomination meant to him, calling it a highlight of a truly remarkable year for his career. He said he was both honored and grateful to be considered for the award.

I’m so grateful to BAFTA, EE, and the judges for recognizing my work among such a talented group of actors.

Miles, 20, said: ‘Thank you to BAFTA, EE and the jury for this nomination – it’s truly surreal. 

It’s a real honor to be mentioned with so many gifted artists. I’m also thankful for all the support and encouragement given to emerging filmmakers like myself.

The EE Rising Star Award is unique among the EE BAFTA Film Awards because it’s the only one decided by a public vote.

Voting is now open at ee.co.uk/BAFTA, via WhatsApp, and across EE socials until Friday February 20.

The winner will be revealed at the EE BAFTA Film Awards on Sunday, February 22nd, during a ceremony broadcast on BBC One and available to stream on BBC iPlayer.

The rest of the BAFTA nominations will be announced on January 27. 

Past winners of the Rising Star award include notable actors like David Jonsson, Mia, Emma Mackey, Kristen Stewart, Eva Green, Lashana Lynch, Letitia Wright, James McAvoy, Daniel Kaluuya, John Boyega, and Tom Hardy.

Mia will next star in the upcoming Beatles biopics playing Sir Ringo Starr’s first wife.

However, she recently confessed she didn’t recognize The Beatles and couldn’t name many of their popular songs.

Mia, age 28, will play Maureen Starkey in a series of four films—one dedicated to each member of the band—scheduled for release in 2028.

The BAFTA-winning actor told Tatler magazine they weren’t a fan of The Beatles, despite singing songs like ‘Eleanor Rigby’ and ‘Yellow Submarine’ in school.

The news of her being cast came while she was working on a movie based on Agatha Christie’s ‘The Seven Dials Mystery,’ alongside Martin Freeman, 54. He playfully joked about her not knowing much about The Beatles.

He started quizzing me about music, asking me to list all the Beatles. I couldn’t do it. Then he asked what band Mick Jagger was in, and I honestly had no clue.

I’ve realized The Beatles are actually incredibly good – the kind of band I’d happily listen to on my commute. The upcoming film features Paul Mescal as Paul McCartney, Harris Dickinson as John Lennon, Joseph Quinn as George Harrison, and Barry Keoghan as Ringo Starr.

Maureen married the Beatles’ drummer in 1965, and they had three children together. They divorced after ten years, but he remained supportive, being at her bedside when she passed away from leukemia in 1994.

Mia, a mother herself, shared that she hasn’t personally met Ringo, but people say he still lights up whenever he speaks about his late wife, Maureen.

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2026-01-14 19:53