Emma Mackey | Photo Credit: Sarah Messonnier
Emma Mackey and Aimee Lou Wood, who rose to fame with the hit Netflix show “Sex Education”, and historical epic “The Woman King” actress Sheila Athim are nominated in the rising star category at the BAFTA Film Awards.
The list of five contenders revealed Tuesday also includes Naomi Ackie, who portrayed “I Wanna Dance With Somebody” in the biopic of late music star Whitney Houston, and “Good Luck To You, Leo Grande” actor Daryl McCormack. He is the only male candidate.
Mackay and Wood play close friends in the Netflix comedy drama about teenagers trying to figure out their love lives. Wood, who previously won a BAFTA TV award for female performance in a comedy program for “Sex Education”, was honored on Tuesday for her role in the drama “Living”.
Emma Mackey and Amy Lou Wood in ‘Sex Education’
Mackay was nominated for her portrayal of “Wuthering Heights” novelist Emily Brontë in the biographical drama “Emily”.
The EE Rising Star Award is the only category voted for by the public at the annual British Academy of Film and Television Arts Film Awards, which this year will take place on 19 February in London.
Past winners include Athim’s “The Woman King” co-star Lashana Lynch, Tom Hardy, Kristen Stewart and Oscar winner Daniel Kaluuya.
The full list of nominations for the 2023 BAFTAs, which will be hosted by actor Richard E. Grant, will be announced on Thursday.