Ask Onix
Bafta Rising Star shortlist revealed
The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (Bafta) has announced this year's nominees for the EE Rising Star Award, celebrating emerging acting talent from the UK and the United States. The public-voted prize has previously honored stars like James McAvoy, John Boyega, and Emma Mackey.
The nominees
Five actors have been shortlisted for the 2026 award, including two Americans and three Britons. The winner will be announced at the Bafta Film Awards ceremony in London on 22 February.
Robert Aramayo
Hull-born Aramayo, 33, earned his nomination for his portrayal of a young man with Tourette's syndrome in the 1980s-set drama I Swear. The film is based on the real-life story of John Davidson, the subject of a BBC documentary in the same era. Aramayo described the role as the most challenging of his career.
His career includes a breakthrough as young Ned Stark in Game of Thrones after graduating from New York's Juilliard School in 2018. Reflecting on his nomination, Aramayo said, "If young Robert only knew he'd be standing here as an EE Rising Star nominee today, he'd be very proud."
Miles Caton
The 20-year-old New Yorker gained recognition for his role as Sammie in Sinners, which earned him a Critics' Choice Award for best young actor and a nomination for best supporting actor at the Actor Awards. Caton, the son of gospel singer Timiney Figueroa, began performing early, touring globally as a backing singer for H.E.R. at 16.
Despite Sinners being his only film credit to date, Caton said acting has become a serious career path he intends to pursue further.
Chase Infiniti
Infiniti, 25, stars alongside Leonardo DiCaprio in One Battle After Another as the defiant daughter of a former revolutionary. The US actress previously appeared in Apple TV+'s Presumed Innocent, playing Jaden Sabich opposite Jake Gyllenhaal and Ruth Negga.
A Columbia College Chicago graduate, Infiniti transitioned from stage acting to screen roles after earning her BFA in theatre arts in 2022.
Archie Madekwe
South London's Madekwe is nominated for his lead role in the psychological thriller Lurker, where he plays a rising pop star blackmailed by a superfan. Initially auditioning for the superfan role, he secured the lead instead.
A Brit School alumnus-like Bafta Rising Star winner Tom Holland-Madekwe has appeared in films such as Saltburn and Midsommar, as well as minor roles in Channel 4 comedies like Fresh Meat. He called his nomination "surreal."
Posy Sterling
Manchester-born Sterling received her nomination for Lollipop, where she plays a recently released prisoner fighting her mother for custody of her children. The emotionally charged performance earned her the British Independent Film Award for breakthrough performance.
Though this is her first leading film role, Sterling has built a reputation through TV dramas like The Road Trip and You Don't Know Me. She described the recognition as "genuinely overwhelming."
What's next
The remaining Bafta Film Awards nominations will be announced on 27 January. The ceremony, hosted by Alan Cumming, will take place at London's Royal Festival Hall and air on BBC One and iPlayer.
