As it’s done every year since I became a daily reader, Screen International has unveiled its 2013 UK Stars of Tomorrow list.
The annual feature spotlights up-and-coming actors and filmmakers in the UK, who the magazine believes will be making waves in the years to come.
Past talents of African descent who’ve were selected in previous years, and who you should recognize (given how often their names have come up on this blog, since they’ve all achieved some measure of success since their appearances on the list) include: Daniel Kaluuya, Wunmi Mosaku, Destiny Ekaragha and Richard Ayoade.
As for talents of African descent in the 2013 class of Screen International UK Stars of Tomorrow, there are a few. So get to know these names, because, like their predecessors, we’ll likely be talking about them in years to come.
THE ACTORS
– Franz Drameh
Hackney-born Attack the Block star will next appear opposite Tom Cruise in All You Need Is Kill.
– Cush Jumbo
Olivier-nominated East Londoner is set to play Josephine Baker on stage.
– Malachi Kirby
South Londoner crosses between indie films like Gone Too Far, theatre, and TV’s Lawless.
THE FILMMAKERS
– Arinze Kene
Deptford-born actor-writer opened the play God’s Property to rave reviews and is now writing a thriller.
– Rachel De-Lahay
Her work at the Royal Court is acclaimed and she is now working with Film4 on her debut film script set in her native Birmingham.
These young up-and-comers will be toasted at a party at London’s Langham Hotel next week, sponsored by 3 Mills Studios and Creative Skillset and supported by Heineken and MAC.
Stars of Tomorrow celebrates its 10th anniversary this year.
Other past talents you’d recognize introduced in the magazine include James McAvoy, Benedict Cumberbatch and Emily Blunt (2004); Dominic Cooper, Robert Pattinson, Eddie Redmayne and Sophie Okonedo (2005); Riz Ahmed, Dan Stevens, Hayley Atwell, Rebecca Hall and Andrea Riseborough (2006); Matt Smith, Andrew Garfield and Gemma Arterton (2007); Carey Mulligan, Michelle Dockery, Tom Hiddleston, Aaron Johnson and Jack O’Connell (2008); Zawe Ashton, Holliday Grainger and Luke Evans (2009); Emilia Clarke, Sam Claflin and Jessica Brown Findlay (2010); Vanessa Kirby, Douglas Booth and Georgia King (2011); Samantha Barks, Tom Holland, and Nico Mirallegro (2012).
Screen Contributing Editor Fionnuala Halligan curates the young stars after considering hundreds of names each year. She consults with industry pros including casting agents, talent agents, managers, producers and directors to find the hottest rising talents in Britain.
“Every year it’s surprising to see just how much talent is out there in Britain and how responsive the international film world is to our young creatives. It’s hard to make the final selection and, as usual, I wish the Stars of Tomorrow 2013 the very best in their undoubtedly glittering future careers,” she said.
The cross-over to the USA is inevitable.
Check out the full list of this year’s talents HERE.
