BAFTA 2022 Rising Star Award nominations: Lashana Lynch and Ariana DeBose lead stars

No Time To Die star Lashana Lynch and A Quiet Place’s Millicent Simmonds lead the stars nominated for the BAFTA 2022 EE Rising Star Award.

Also up for the coveted accolade are The King’s Man star Harris Dickinson, West Side Story’s Ariana DeBose and The Power of the Dog’s Kodi Smit-McPhee. 

The nominees were announced in a livestream ceremony on Tuesday morning that was hosted by last year’s winner Bukky Bakray and Edith Bowman.  

The award is now in its 17th year and is the only BAFTA voted for by the public. The remaining BAFTA nominations will be announced on Thursday ahead of the ceremony on March 13 at the Royal Albert Hall in London.

BAFTA 2022 EE Rising Star Award nominations: No Time To Die’s Lashana Lynch and deaf A Quiet Place star Millicent Simmonds lead stars shortlisted for public-voted accolade as the nominees were announced on Tuesday 

Previous winners of the award have included James McAvoy, Eva Green, Tom Hardy, Kristen Stewart, Tom Holland, Letitia Wright and Micheal Ward.    

Millicent – who is deaf – found worldwide fame starring in 2018’s A Quiet Place and the 2021 sequel which charts s family struggles for survival in a world where most humans have been killed by blind but noise-sensitive creatures.

Discussing the impact of her newfound fame, she revealed: ‘I have a lot of young people who come up to me and say it’s awesome to have our language on screen. 

‘I didn’t have that growing up so I feel really honoured and touched to give them a place where they can dream. It’s very inspirational for me.’ 

Lashana made history as the first woman and the first woman of colour to carry on the legacy of 007 in her standout role as Nomi in Cary Joji Fukunaga’s No Time To Die, alongside Daniel Craig and Rami Malek. 

She is currently filming historical epic The Woman King in South Africa and will also be seen in the film adaptation of Matthew Warchus’ musical, Matilda, opposite Alisha Weir and Emma Thompson in the role of Miss Honey. 

While she was unable to attend the nomination ceremony, she sent in a statement that read: ‘The EE Rising Star Award is one I’ve always admired for recognising exciting emerging talent. 

‘I’m so elated for my fellow nominees who inspire myself and others, as we continue to fight for change within our industry and the world. I’m proud to be able to do that in moments like these.’ 

Iconic: Lashana made history as the first woman and the first woman of colour to carry on the legacy of 007 in her standout role as Nomi in Cary Joji Fukunaga’s No Time To Die alongside Daniel Craig

Meanwhile, Ariana – who had a breakthrough role in Steven Spielberg’s musical film West Side Story – said that she hopes the movie brings in more representation for Hispanic people in Hollywood. 

She explained: ‘I am extremely proud of the way lations are represented in film, particularly latinas. It’s so nice to celebrate there’s not one way to be Hispanic and I do think that what critics say, it does matter. it does matter that people go to see your movie but its most important that people see themselves reported back.    

Alongside her nomination for the EE Rising Star Award, she has already won Best Supporting Actress at the Golden Globe Awards and received a nomination from Critics Choice Awards.

Commenting on her BAFTA nomination, she said: ‘I am beyond humbled to join the talented group of actors that have been nominated for the EE Rising Star Award over the years. To say I’m excited is an understatement, and I’m so thankful for this recognition. Genuinely blown away.’

Spooky: Millicent – who is deaf – found worldwide fame starring in 2018’s A Quiet Place and the 2021 sequel which charts s family struggles for survival in a world where most humans have been killed by blind but noise-sensitive creatures

British actor Harris can currently be seen in cinemas starring in Matthew Vaughn’s The King’s Man opposite Ralph Fiennes. 

He has received critical acclaim for his diverse film and television work since breaking out in Eliza Hittman’s 2017 Sundance hit Beach Rats, where he was nominated for the Best Male Lead Independent Spirit Award. 

Discussing his BAFTA nomination, Harris said: ‘A huge thank you to both BAFTA and EE for this nomination. Each year I’ve looked to the EE Rising Star Award with great admiration and respect, so to be included in this category is a real honour. 

‘The fact that we collectively get to tell stories for a living is enough of a reward for me, but to be noticed by such a prestigious institution really does mean a lot.’

Striking: Ariana – who had a breakthrough role in Steven Spielberg’s musical film West Side Story – said that she hopes the movie brings in more representation for Hispanic people in Hollywood

Rounding off the nominees is Australian actor Kodi who was praised by critics for his standout role in Jane Campion’s The Power of The Dog. His performance earned him a Golden Globe Award, along with a nomination from the Screen Actors Guild. 

Kodi first started acting at the age of nine, making his film debut in Romulus, My Father opposite Eric Bana. He has since gone on to star in a plethora of high-profile films, including post-apocalyptic drama The Road and Dawn of The Planet of The Ape.

He said of his nomination, said: ‘I have the deepest gratitude to be considered alongside my fellow nominees for the EE Rising Star Award at this year’s BAFTA Film Awards ceremony. I am beyond humbled to be considered for an award that celebrates such extraordinary young talents.’

Thrilling: British actor Harris can currently be seen in cinemas starring in Matthew Vaughn’s The King’s Man opposite Ralph Fiennes. He has received critical acclaim for his diverse film and television work

The nominations come after Rebel Wilson confirmed that she will host the upcoming ceremony. 

In a statement about the news, Rebel – who recently lost 35kg – hilariously quipped ‘I won’t be funny because I’m no longer fat’ while also joking about Prince Andrew not being able to sweat. 

She wrote: ‘I am very honoured to be hosting the EE British Academy Film Awards in March, where Covid will no longer exist because it will clearly have been canceled by then. It’s going to be so much fun! 

‘I don’t wanna put any pressure on this – I know I’m not going to be funny because I am no longer fat.

‘And besides, I’m not going to ‘sweat-it’ with nerves because I have a peculiar medical condition where I can’t sweat…or cause offense to people because of my adorable Australian accent.’

Rebel’s Prince Andrew jibe comes after he claimed in an interview with the BBC in 2019 that he never got sweaty on the dancefloor with sex accuser Virginia Giuffre in 2001 at a club in London because he has a condition which makes it impossible for him to perspire.

Rebel continued: ‘So basically I’ll just be there to hang out with Dame Judi Dench and together we’ll both try and bond with Daniel Craig. And yes, I do mean ‘bond’. 

‘This show will be an anniversary celebration of some important British film franchises such as HARRY POTTER and not such as CATS. Everybody’s going to love it, I’m sure! See you guys March 13th!’

Voting for the Rising Star Award is now open at ee.co.uk/BAFTA. 

The BAFTAs are set to take place on Sunday, March 13 at the Royal Albert Hall and will be broadcast on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. 

Back at her best: The nominations come after Rebel Wilson confirmed that she will host the upcoming ceremony (pictured presenting at the 2020 awards) 

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