BAFTA Names 21 Creatives to 2026 Breakthrough U.K. Cohort

BAFTA has named 21 emerging creatives to its 2026 Breakthrough U.K. cohort, selecting talent from film, television and games for its annual development program, supported by Netflix for a seventh consecutive year.

Now in its 13th year, the initiative offers year-round career support, mentorship, networking opportunities and full BAFTA membership to rising figures across the screen industries. The 2026 list is headlined by actors Ella Bruccoleri ("The Other Bennet Sister"), Izuka Hoyle ("Prisoner") and Sophie Stone ("Falling").

"BAFTA Breakthrough is a hugely impactful programme," BAFTA CEO Jane Millichip said in a statement. "It champions talented creatives and practitioners from all three screen sectors, and it is designed to give them the support and connections to build lasting careers."

Who made the 2026 list?

The film contingent includes:

• 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 and unscripted television are represented by Chris Lynch, presenter and producer of "In the Driving Seat"; Myrid Carten, writer/director of "A Want in Her," which earned acclaim on the festival circuit; and Runako Celina, producer and reporter on "Death in Dubai."

Television honorees span performance and craft: Bruccoleri, Hoyle and Stone are joined by Philippa Mumford, production designer on "Juice" Season 2; Tom Cousins, creator and executive producer of "Rafi the Wishing Wizard"; and Yassmin Abdel-Magied, writer on "Emmerdale."

Five creatives working in games complete the cohort:

• Eloise Singer — Writer/director, "The Pirate Queen: No Safe Waters"
• Husban Siddiqi — Game director and developer, "Rogue Eclipse"
• Kate Killick — Creative director, "Pieced Together"
• Niru Fekri-Arnold — Creator/designer, "Cursed Words"
• Tom McKay — Performer, "Mysteria Ecclesiae: Kingdom Come Deliverance DLC"

What does Breakthrough change for these careers?

The program's track record answers that question with numbers. Since its launch, more than 330 creatives have participated globally, collectively earning more than 200 BAFTA nominations and over 80 wins. Alumni include Florence Pugh, Tom Holland, Jessie Buckley, Josh O'Connor, Bella Ramsey, Paapa Essiedu and Letitia Wright — a list that maps closely onto the last decade of British screen acting at the highest level.

Netflix returns as the program's official supporter for a seventh consecutive year, with the partnership forming part of the streamer's Generation N initiative to develop emerging and mid-career talent in the U.K.

"We are so proud to back BAFTA Breakthrough for a seventh year," Anne Mensah, Netflix's vice president of U.K. content, said. "The group announced today is an incredibly exciting range of names, and it is an honour to help them flourish with the guidance and support this programme provides."

BAFTA North America is expected to announce its U.S. Breakthrough cohort later in November, extending the program's reach across the Atlantic.