The nominees for the 2026 BAFTA Rising Star Award have been revealed, showcasing a blend of emerging talent in the film industry. Among the notable nominees are Hollywood actors Chase Infiniti and Miles Caton, alongside three British talents: Robert Aramayo, Archie Madekwe, and Posy Sterling. The announcement took place on Wednesday at the iconic Savoy Hotel in London.
Chase Infiniti has garnered significant attention for her role in Paul Thomas Anderson‘s political thriller One Battle After Another, which has emerged as a frontrunner this awards season. Her performance as Willa has earned her early Oscar buzz. Similarly, Miles Caton has made waves with his debut in Ryan Coogler‘s vampire horror film Sinners, where he starred alongside Michael B. Jordan. The film recently won a Golden Globe for box office achievement.
Robert Aramayo is recognized for his lead role in Kirk Jones‘s biographical drama I Swear, which tells the story of a Scot living with Tourette’s syndrome. Archie Madekwe, known for his performance in Saltburn, recently appeared in Alex Russell‘s psychological thriller Lurker. Posy Sterling, who has previously won a British Independent Film Award, is also nominated for her work in Daisy-May Hudson‘s Lollipop.
The EE BAFTA Rising Star Award, now in its 21st year, is unique as it is the only category voted on by the British public. Last year, David Jonsson, known for his roles in The Long Walk and Alien: Romulus, took home the award.
In addition to the Rising Star nominees, the BAFTA longlists were released, highlighting One Battle After Another with an impressive 16 nominations. Following closely are Chloe Zhao‘s Hamnet and Sinners. Other notable films include Marty Supreme, directed by Josh Safdie, which received 13 nominations, and Bugonia by Yorgos Lanthimos, with 12 nominations.
This year’s nominations also feature potential contenders for the best film category, including The Ballad of Wallis Island, Nuremberg, and I Swear. A strong lineup for best lead actor includes Timothée Chalamet, Leonardo DiCaprio, Michael B. Jordan, Cillian Murphy, and others, while the best actress category features Jessie Buckley, Cynthia Erivo, Emma Stone, and Infiniti herself.
With the awards season gaining momentum, audiences and industry insiders alike are keenly anticipating the impact of these rising stars. The full list of longlisted nominees can be viewed through official BAFTA channels.
