BAFTA has announced its 2026 Breakthrough UK batch, selecting 21 new creators from film, television and games for its annual talent development program supported by Netflix.
Now in its 13th year, the initiative recognizes emerging talent in the screen industries and offers year-round career support, mentoring, networking opportunities and full BAFTA membership.
This year’s award winners include actors Ella Bruccoleri (“The Other Bennet Sister”), Izuka Hoyle (“Prisoner”) and Sophie Stone (“Falling”), as well as filmmaker Myrid Carten, whose documentary “A Want in Her” was acclaimed on the festival circuit. The group also includes “Emmerdale” writer Yassmin Abdel-Magied, “Ish” director Imran Perretta and “The Incomer” writer and director Louis Paxton.
The program recognizes “In the Driving Seat” host and producer Chris Lynch and “Death in Dubai” producer and reporter Runako Celina for documentary and unscripted television.
Five creators who worked on the games were also selected; these include Eloise Singer, writer and director of “Pirate Queen: No Safe Water”; Husban Siddiqi, game director and developer of “Rogue Eclipse”; and Kate Killick, creative director of “Pieced Together.”
“BAFTA Breakthrough is a hugely effective program,” BAFTA CEO Jane Millichip said in a statement. “It supports talented creators and practitioners from all three screen sectors and is designed to provide them with the support and connections to build lasting careers.”
Graduates of the program include Florence Pugh, Tom Holland, Jessie Buckley, Josh O’Connor, Bella Ramsey, Paapa Essiedu and Letitia Wright. Since its launch, more than 330 creators worldwide have participated, collectively earning more than 200 BAFTA nominations and more than 80 wins.
Netflix returns as an official supporter of the show for the seventh year in a row, and the partnership forms part of the broadcaster’s Generation N initiative to develop emerging and mid-career talent in the UK.
“We’re incredibly proud to be supporting BAFTA Breakthrough for the seventh year,” said Anne Mensah, Netflix’s vice president of UK content. “The group announced today is comprised of incredibly exciting names, and it is an honor to help them develop with the guidance and support this program provides.”
BAFTA North America is expected to announce the US Breakthrough group in late November.
Film
- Hollie Bryan — Producer, “The Ceremony”
- Louis Paxton — Writer/director, “The Incomer”
- Lucy Allen and Tom Payne – Casting directors, “Sunny Dancer”
- Imran Perretta — Co-writer/director, “Ish”
- Regina Meessen – Hair and makeup designer, “Dreamers”
- Ted Evans — Writer/director, “Retreat”
Documentary/Without a scriptwriter
- Chris Lynch — Host and producer, “In the Driving Seat”
- Myrid Carten — Writer/director, “A Want in Her”
- Runako Celina — Producer and reporter, “Death in Dubai”
Television
- Ella Bruccoleri — Actor, “The Other Bennet Sister”
- Izuka Hoyle — Actor, “Prisoner”
- Philippa Mumford — Production designer, “Juice” Season 2
- Sophie Stone — Actor, “Falling”
- Tom Cousins—Creator and executive producer, “Rafi the Wish Wizard”
- Yassmin Abdel-Magied — Writer, “Emmerdale”
games
- Eloise Singer — Writer/director, “Pirate Queen: No Safe Water”
- Husban Siddiqi – Game director and developer, “Rogue Eclipse”
- Kate Killick — Creative Director, “Pieced Together”
- Niru Fekri-Arnold — Creator/designer, “Cursed Words”
- Tom McKay — Actor, “Mysteries of the Church: Kingdom Come Deliverance DLC”