Julie Walters: 2014 Fellow

Julie Walters, exceptionally talented and versatile British actress, was honoured to receive a BAFTA Fellowship.

Walters was recognised for her outstanding and exceptional contribution to British television.Including her work on Victoria Wood, Talking Heads and Dinnerladies.

“Julie Walters is one of the most talented individuals to grace our screens,” said Amanda Berry, chief executive of BAFTA.

“She has the innate ability to draw the viewer in across any genre, captivating and entertaining with every performance.”

Walters accepted the Fellowship at the British Academy Television Awards at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, London on Sunday 18 May. It was presented by her friend and colleague Celia Imrie.

Julie Walters kicked-off her career collaborating with much-loved comedian Victoria Wood. They hosted their own series, Wood and Walters, as well as the BAFTA-winning sketch show Victoria Wood As Seen On TV. Since then, Walters has gone on to become an internationally recognised television and film icon.

She’s admired for her ability to adapt her craft across different roles. Walters appeared in work as diverse as The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole, Dinnerladies, The Jury, A Short Stay in Switzerland and Mo – for which she won the Leading Actress BAFTA in 2010.

Over the course of her career she’s won many awards including six BAFTAs, a BAFTA Special Award, a Golden Globe, an Olivier and two International Emmys.

“I am honoured to receive this prestigious award and extremely shocked. I’ve worked with some brilliant people over the years and have been very fortunate to have had the opportunities to work on such a variety of projects.”
– Julie Walters

Awarded every year by the Academy, the BAFTA Fellowship is the highest accolade given to an individual in recognition of an outstanding and exceptional contribution to film, games or TV.

Previous Fellows include Elizabeth Taylor, Stanley Kubrick, Anthony Hopkins, Laurence Olivier and Judi Dench.

For more inspiring stories from the world of film, games and TV explore our BAFTA Award Stories section.