UPDATED! Thanks to all those voted for the only Public Vote at the BAFTAs because you chose another good one, congrats to Top Boy and Blue Story actor Micheal Ward who won!

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Yes, it’s somehow already awards season again but we’re very excited to share the details of all the EE Rising Star Award 2020 nominees and give you a little breakdown of who’s who and that voting is open now!

This award is the only one at the EE BAFTAs voted for by the public, so it can offer a great insight into both who we’re all loving and one to continue keep watching for the years ahead. Previous winners have included Letitia Wright, Daniel Kaluuya, Tom Holland, John Boyega, Kristen Stewart, Tom Hardy and James McAvoy, to name a selection since its origins in 2006.

Revealed by actor Tom Hiddleston, broadcaster Edith Bowman and BAFTA Chief Executive Amanda Berry, the nominees consist of five actors and actresses who have each shown truly outstanding talent on the big screen in the past year and captured the imagination of both the public and film industry.

The EE Rising Star Award nominees for 2020 are:

• Awkwafina
• Jack Lowden
• Kaitlyn Dever
• Kelvin Harrison Jr.
• Micheal Ward

You can vote for your favourite here but if you’d like to know a little more, let us begin…

Nora Lum, known professionally as AWKWAFINA, has established herself on the big screen with her lead role in The Farewell, which has already earned her a 2020 Golden Globe Award for Best Actress. She has also had supporting roles in big hitting films including Ocean’s 8, the all-female spinoff to the Ocean’s Trilogy, Crazy, Rich Asians and Jumanji: The Next Level. Her other upcoming films include Breaking News in Yuba County, The Prom and a live-action adaptation of The Little Mermaid. Awkwafina, commenting on her nomination, said: 

“It’s truly an honour to be nominated for the EE Rising Star Award. I’m grateful to BAFTA and the jury for the nomination and that I am able to share this recognition with so many other talented actors and actresses.”

JACK LOWDEN first received widespread acclaim in 2011 for his role in The National Theatre of Scotland’s production of Black Watch. From there, he has played a variety of diverse and dynamic roles spanning both film and theatre, firmly cementing his place as one of the UK’s most exciting young talents. His film work includes standout turns in Dunkirk, Mary Queen of Scots, Fighting With My Family and Calibre, for which he won a BAFTA Scotland award. He has also won an Olivier Award for his role in Ghosts at the Almeida Theatre. His next film roles will be in Cordivae and Fonzo, which will see him team up again with Tom Hardy. He will also be starring alongside John Boyega and Letitia Wright, both previous EE Rising Star winners, in Steve McQueen’s upcoming anthology series Small Axe.

Jack Lowden, had this to say:

 “I would like to thank both BAFTA and the jury panel for nominating me for the 2020 EE Rising Star Award. It’s a huge honour to be included amongst such talent – what a way to kick off the year. Thank you!”

KAITLYN DEVER has been praised for her lead role in Booksmart, where she was recognised by the Hollywood Critics Association as a young breakthrough artist. She has also received critical acclaim for her performance in Unbelievable, which has already earned her a 2020 Golden Globe nomination. Kaitlyn’s other notable roles have included Beautiful Boy, alongside Steve Carrell and Timothée Chalamet, and The Front Runner, opposite Hugh Jackman and Detroit, alongside former EE Rising Star winners John Boyega and Will Poulter. She is also currently in production for Monsterland, an anthology series opposite Jonathan Tucker.

Kaitlyn added:

“I am overjoyed to be recognized by BAFTA and the jury as an EE Rising Star nominee. I am so excited to be acknowledged for an award that celebrates the achievements of young talent who are also contributing to film in an impactful way. It’s so incredible to be included in the group of talent nominated today as well as those recognized as an EE Rising Star over the years. It’s quite an honour and one that I won’t ever forget.”

KELVIN HARRISON JR. was born and raised in New Orleans and initially studied jazz at the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts before realising his passion for acting. From there, he has been cast in a range of challenging and diverse roles across the big and small screen. Kelvin has been praised for his title role in Luce, starring opposite Octavia Spencer, Tim Roth and Naomi Watts, and has already garnered early Oscar buzz for his role in upcoming drama Waves. Kelvin has also received critical acclaim for his supporting role in Oscar nominated Mudbound and his performance in It Comes At Night, which earned him a Gotham Independent Film award nomination for Breakthrough Actor. He had this to say:

“For the last few years I’ve followed this award and the nominees have always been made up of artists whose work challenges me and inspires me. I feel honoured to be counted among them.”

MICHEAL WARD recently starred in the highly anticipated Netflix series Top Boy, which was produced by Drake and earned breakthrough star Micheal widespread acclaim throughout the UK. Micheal has also earned praise from critics for his lead role in Paramount’s Blue Story, which follows the story of two young boys from opposing postcodes who quickly form a firm friendship that is tested when they wind up on rival sides of a street war. Micheal has also starred in BBC thriller series The A List, which was released internationally on Netflix. Ward, who attended, commented:

“The last two years have been unbelievable, and now to find out that my industry has recognised my work and put me up for the EE Rising Star Award, really is the most amazing thing to happen.”

2020 is a milestone for the EE Rising Star Award, marking 15 years since the award was first presented to winner James McAvoy back in 2005. Voting is now open at ee.co.uk/BAFTA and the winner will be announced at the EE British Academy Film Awards on Sunday 2^nd February 2020.

6th January 2020, The Savoy Hotel London: BAFTA Chief Executive Amanda Berry, EE Rising Star nominee Micheal Ward, Film Broadcaster and EE Rising Star Award jury member Edith Bowman, actor Tom Hiddleston and EE Rising Star Award nominee Jack Lowden attend a press conference to reveal the 2020 EE Rising Star Award nominees. Voting is now open, and you can cast your vote at ee.co.uk/BAFTA