The Orange Wednesdays Rising Star Award 2011

13 February 11

The Orange Wednesdays Rising Star Award in 2011 was won by Tom Hardy as voted by the public.

Tom Hardy OWRS

WINNER: Tom Hardy

Tom Hardy was announced as the winner at the Orange British Academy Film Awards on 13 February 2011 having received the highest number of public votes.

Making his name in Spielberg's TV series Band of Brothers, Tom went on to star in Ridley Scott’s war thriller Black Hawk Down, and has recently proved himself as one of cinema’s most versatile and gripping actors, including an acclaimed performance in the smash hit Inception, alongside Leonardo DiCaprio.

One of Tom’s most powerful performances has been in the title role in Bronson, in which he put on three stone of muscle to play the infamous British prisoner. He is currently in filming for This Means War with Reese Witherspoon and Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy with Colin Firth and Gary Oldman, Tom has also secured a part in Christopher Nolan’s hotly anticipated Batman Rises.

"Thank you very much. This is very kind of you and much appreciated. I genuinely am grateful just to be working at all. I'd like to thank everyone who voted, everyone who loves a good story and every artist in the house tonight for the work they do." Tom Hardy

The 2011 Nominees

The final five nominees were voted for by Orange Wednesdays customers from a longlist of eight.

	Gemma Arterton Arterton has quickly become one of Britain’s brightest young actresses, most notably in her iconic Bond girl role in Quantum of Solace. Her most recent performance in Tamara Drewe received glittering praise, as did her performance in J Blakeson’s independent film The Disappearance of Alice Creed.
	Andrew Garfield Having only graduated from drama school six years ago, Garfield already has several impressive performances under his belt, most recently playing Eduardo Saverin in The Social Network. He received a BAFTA for Best Actor at the 2008 Television Awards for his role in Boy A.
	Aaron Johnson Johnson’s rise to fame was highlighted by his acclaimed performance as a young John Lennon in Sam Taylor Wood’s Nowhere Boy, and more recently by his lead role in Kick Ass. Other film appearances include The Illusionist, Shanghai Knights, Dummy and The Greatest.
	Emma Stone Stone's most notable performances are in Superbad and 2010 film Easy A. She also recently took on the role of Gwen Stacy in the up and coming Spider-Man release. Other film appearances include Zombieland, The Help, Paper Man and she lent her voice to animated comedy; The Croods.