BAFTA has unveiled its 2021 Breakthrough stars who are already making a name for themselves in the worlds of TV, film and games.

Supported by Netflix, the British Academy of Film and Television Arts has announced the 36 names from the UK and the US that are starting to make waves.

"The 2021 cohort represents an incredibly talented and diverse group of future stars across film, television and games," BAFTA commented in the announcement.

Lydia West, star of Channel 4's runaway hit It's a Sin as well as George Robinson from Netflix's Sex Education are among the UK's breakthrough talent this year.

BAFTA brings together cross-industry global juries that are made up of leading industry professionals, including Afua Hirsch, Niamh Algar and Tim Renkow to make the list.

Amanda Berry OBE, Chief Executive of BAFTA said: “Congratulations to each and every one of our Breakthrough recipients, both in the US and UK. 

"These 36 individuals, as chosen by our industry juries, have demonstrated extraordinary creativity in film, games, and television.

"As part of this initiative, I am absolutely delighted that they will benefit from support at a critical point in their careers, peer-to-peer networking opportunities and industry meetings.

News Shopper: (left) George Robinson (right) Lydia West. Credit: BAFTA/David Vintiner(left) George Robinson (right) Lydia West. Credit: BAFTA/David Vintiner

As a global arts charity, it was a key, and exciting, move for BAFTA in 2020 to bring US talent into the Breakthrough initiative. With the help of Netflix, we are delighted to be a part of these talented individuals’ next steps.”

Tendo Nagenda, Vice President, Netflix Film added: "At Netflix we recognize the importance of supporting the most innovative, and creative minds of the future and this year's BAFTA Breakthrough cohort is exceptional. 

"Many Congratulations to the 36 recipients - we are incredibly proud to play a part in the next phase of your career.”

The full UK winners of BAFTA's 2021 Breakthrough

  • Aaron Reid, Cinematographer - Stephen
  • Aisha Bywaters, Casting Director - We Are Lady Parts
  • Alex Kanaris-Sotiriou, Creative Director/Lead Developer - Röki
  • Ana Naomi De Sousa, Director - Naseem, Fight with Grace
  • Ashley Francis-Roy, Director - Damilola: The Boy Next Door
  • Chad Orororo, Sound Editor/Mixer - Pele
  • David Proud, Director/Writer - Coronation Street
  • Elle Osili-Wood, Presenter - Special Characters
  • Ellora Torchia, Performer - In the Earth
  • Gemma Hurley, Writer - Host
  • George Robinson, Performer - Sex Education
  • Georgi Banks-Davies, Director - I Hate Suzie
  • Heather Basten, Casting Director - The Origin
  • Helen Jones, Producer - Censor
  • Joanna Haslam, Design Director - Family Feud
  • Jo Jackson, Sound Editor/Mixer - Radioactive
  • Kirsty Gillmore, Production Voice Director - Destruction AllStars
  • Laure De Mey, Programmer - Assemble With Care DLC
  • Lydia West, Performer - It’s A Sin
  • Lyttanya Shannon, Director/Producer- Subnormal: A British Scandal
  • Mdhamiri Á Nkemi, Editor - Life in a Day
  • PC Williams, Costume Designer - We Are Lady Parts
  • Prano Bailey-Bond, Director/Writer - Censor
  • Rajita Shah, Producer - Love Sarah

BAFTA Breakthroughwas launched globally in May 2020 as a way of flagging new talent and supporting "the next generation of creative talent in film, games and television."

It was previously called Breakthrough Brits, which was an initiative running in the UK since 2013 and was expanded into the US and India in 2020.

Since its launch, BAFTA Breakthrough has supported over 160 talented newcomers, including performers Bukky Bakray, Paapa Essiedu, Letitia Wright, Florence Pugh, Josh O’Connor, Abubakar Salim and Lauren Ridloff.

It has also championed games creatives Chella Ramanan, Segun Akinola, Gemma Langford, and directors Nicole Newnham, Jim LeBrecht, Rose Glass, Stella Corradi and Destiny Ekaragha.